Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) announced that three Indiana cities have achieved Aim Green Community of the Year distinctions. The cities of Fishers, Westfield and Whiting received their awards during the Aim Annual Awards Luncheon presented by Umbaugh on Oct. 11 during the 2017 Aim Ideas Summit in Evansville.
Aim launched the Green Communities Initiative in 2008 in conjunction with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., to identify potential cost savings to communities facing budget shortfalls, promote economically competitive quality of life concepts and ultimately serve as role models for citizens while better protecting our environment. The initiative will expand educational opportunities for municipalities and create a consolidated clearinghouse of data and programs that can be accessed by municipalities.
“On top of everything a city or town leader must do to ensure the long-term health and viability of their community, it’s so impressive that our Green Communities of the Year are able to aggressively dedicate themselves to sustainable practices. I applaud their efforts and believe all Hoosiers will benefit from their dedication to greener local governments,” said Aim CEO Matt Greller.
Representatives from participating cities had to fill out a 51-question survey in the areas of purchasing, operations, measuring success and sample projects. Not only did Fishers, Westfield and Whiting meet the minimum score required to be a Green Community, they earned the highest score in their population category to become a 2017 Aim Green Community of the Year.
2017 Aim Green Community of the Year Award Winners
- Fishers (50,000+)
- Westfield (10,000 – 50,000)
- Whiting (under 10,000)