City of Little Rock to Host Fifth Sustainability Summit April 10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014

Media Release

City of Little Rock Public Relations (501) 371-6801

Melinda Glasgow | mglasgow@littlerock.gov | (501) 371 4646

Accepting nominations for Sustain the Rock Awards

WHO: Mayor Mark Stodola; City Manager Bruce T. Moore; Little Rock Sustainability Commission; More than 200 attendees from the business, sustainability and non-profit sectors;

Business Panelists:

Johnnie Chamberlin, Author of Trails of Arkansas, Student, Researcher and Teacher at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville
Tony Karklins, Managing Director at Orbea USA
Becky Thompson, Deputy Director of Global Business at Arkansas Economic Development Commission

Guest Speaker:

Michael Skelly, Founder and President of Clean Line Energy Partners

Clean Line Energy is developing the Plains & Eastern Clean Line, a 700-mile transmission line that will deliver low-cost wind power to Arkansas, Tennessee and other markets in the Mid-South and Southeast. Arkansas counties and communities will receive millions of dollars of revenue that will serve local schools, fire departments, and other local needs. Clean Line is committed to supporting local businesses in the Arkansas area. The Plains & Eastern Clean Line has committed to purchase the project’s 700 miles of conductor from General Cable’s facility in Malvern, Arkansas. The Plains & Eastern Clean Line will also create new construction jobs and help local communities through increased economic activity.

WHAT: City of Little Rock’s Fifth Annual Sustainability Summit

WHERE: Clinton Presidential Library Great Hall

WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 2014 beginning with a coffee social at 8:45 a.m. and ending around 1:00 p.m.

LITTLE ROCK – The Little Rock Sustainability Summit will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Library, the Little Rock Sustainability Commission announced Thursday.

The fifth annual event serves as a gathering of business, environmental and civic leaders to discuss and promote sustainable “green” efforts from those inside the City of Little Rock to the larger global marketplace.

The program is set to include a special welcome from Mayor Mark Stodola, the initial presentation of the City’s Sustainability Road Map, a panel of speakers moderated by City Manager Bruce T. Moore, and a keynote speaker. Concluding the program this year will be a tour of the significant sustainable redevelopment occurring along Little Rock’s North and South Main Street.

Businesses, non-profits and individuals are invited to submit nominations for the annual Sustain the Rock Awards to be announced at the Sustainability Summit. The awards recognize local organizations and individuals for their contributions to a more livable Little Rock through embracing and promoting sustainable practices. Award nomination rules may be downloaded here. Nominations are accepted in five categories and are due no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2.

“We are very excited to reach the five year mark with the City’s Sustainability Summit,” said City of Little Rock Sustainability Officer Melinda Glasgow. “This event continues to grow in popularity every year, drawing a diverse audience that represent the business, sustainability, civic and non-profit communities that make up Little Rock and Central Arkansas.”

The Sustainability Summit is open to the public on a first come-first served basis with limited seating available. To register, please send an email to SustainabilitySummit@LittleRock.gov.

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