CHAMBERS IN ACTION
Local chambers across the country are taking the lead in creating and convening clean energy conversations, best practices, events and advocating on local policy.
ACCE Chamber of the Year Knows a Winning Project When It Sees One
"I think it is important today for chambers to be engaged in clean energy, as the millennial generation is very focused on these issues; and if you want to attract that kind of talent, it's critical to look at clean energy as a core value. Local chambers are perfectly positioned to lead this."
Christy Gillenwater, President and CEO of the 2017 Chamber of the Year, is wise to trends -- from the economic to the demographic.
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, like those Gillenwater has led before, is also very effective at what chambers do best: driving economic development. The chamber drove more than a half-billion dollars in economic impact from July 2015 to December 2017, according to a recent report.
So it should perhaps come as no surprise that when its member -- the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport -- recently announced that it was positioned to become the first airport in the nation to be 100 percent powered by solar energy, Gillenwater championed the move.
"We applaud the Chattanooga Airport -- and our region -- for continuing to demonstrate such exciting and important leadership in energy innovation," Gillenwater said. The airport's transition to solar energy, which is being funded largely through federal grants, is expected to lower costs and make the airport energy self-sufficient.
Gillenwater has also observed that investment in renewable energy is important for communities that want to attract young talent.
"I think it is important today for chambers to be engaged in clean energy, as the millennial generation is very focused on these issues; and if you want to attract that kind of talent, it's critical to look at clean energy as a core value," she said. "Local chambers are perfectly positioned to lead this."
Read more in the Times Free Press.
Fayetteville Becomes Latest City to Commit to 100 Percent Clean Energy
“We know that many businesses—including our largest member, Walmart—want to fully power their operations with clean energy,” “said Steve Clark, President of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. “It’s important that we support them in seizing the economic opportunities in the clean energy transition.”
As corporate demand grows for renewable energy, cities around the country are competing to attract the associated jobs, tax revenue, and additional investment.
Recently, Fayetteville, Arkansas, became the 54th American city—and the first in the state—to commit to 100 percent renewable energy: a move applauded by the local chamber of commerce.
“We know that many businesses—including our largest member, Walmart—want to fully power their operations with clean energy,” “said Steve Clark, President of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. “It’s important that we support them in seizing the economic opportunities in the clean energy transition.”
Other cities that have made the commitment include Atlanta, GA; Columbia, SC; Downingtown, Phoenixville, and West Chester, PA; Georgetown, Texas; Hanover, New Hampshire; Hillsborough, NC; Orlando and Sarasota, FL; Salt Lake City, UT; and St. Louis, MO.
South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, announced their commitment in early 2017—a move that was also applauded by the local chamber.
"The Tahoe Chamber is committed to supporting policies and advocating for programs that promote economic, environmental and community sustainability,” Craig Schmidt, President of the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an op-ed in the Tahoe Daily Tribune.