Why is Green Important to Greensburg?

For a recent issue of the local county newspaper, GreenTown's Director, Daniel Wallach, wrote an article about the continuing importance and relevance of the local Green Initiative. Many of the points he made are highlighted here.

It is 3 years since the tornado and the establishment of the Green Initiative in Greensburg. We have found varying levels of enthusiasm for the concept among local residents. Many folks think it is great, the lifeblood of the new Greensburg, and some think it is a gimmick and a fad, and they are tired of it.  Of course, there are many people on the continuum in between. But ask anybody in Greensburg, and they have an opinion.

The Green Initiative has brought a tremendous volume of positive public relations to this town of fewer than 1,000 - PR that big cities would pay millions for. While Greensburg has still not yet landed a large industry, it is very well positioned to do so as the economy recovers. Tourism is likely the best economic hope this town has for the future. Retail businesses in town can tell you - visitors spend money.

In studies of what makes a rural community thrive, it is shown that having a distinct identity is essential. Branson, Missouri, is a great example. As a family-oriented entertainment center, this town of just 7,500 residents attracts 7.2 million visitors a year and provides a robust economic engine for the whole area.

What the community of Greensburg has accomplished is PHENOMENAL. Sometimes we are too close to something to appreciate it or even understand all of  its implications. There are some folks in town who are complaining about what isn’t right. Of course, there are things that have yet to be done or things done that could have been done better.  But all of this pales in comparison to what has been done right and in fact been done exceedingly well. We encourage you to step back and try looking at the community with new eyes; I think you’ll be amazed at what you see. Our greatest asset is that we are a beacon and an inspiration to the world.

At GreenTown we speak with hundreds of visitors each month. Hearing outsiders’ impressions of the community helps us remember just what an amazing accomplishment the Green Initiative continues to be. There are four points I want to highlight related to the greening of Greensburg:

Education center – Greensburg has already attracted thousands of young people interested in sustainability, green living, and how this town is rebuilding. With the reputation Greensburg now has for being an international leader in sustainability, there is unlimited potential to bring students to Greensburg to study.

Attraction – Greensburg now has about 30 “sites of significance” - buildings and projects that demonstrate sustainability. There are many people coming to town because they want to see a “town of the future” and have a hands-on experience with exciting new (and in some cases, old) technologies. This is an extraordinary opportunity for Greensburg that no other town can match. And because we are a showcase, Greensburg will always be a fun place to see and to experience the great new products and ideas being brought to market. This is the same reason people go to world fairs and trade shows.

The hospital , the school, the first LEED Platinum City Hall, the first of its kind Silo Eco-Home, the community wind farm… each of these sites on their own would warrant interest and attract visitors. But put these all together and we have a gem in the middle of the plains that is becoming a world class eco-and edu-tourism destination.

Inspirational center – Greensburg is a place where people come together to be inspired and work collectively to solve challenges and see solutions in action. We already have seen dozens of groups come to town in order to learn better ways of approaching problems, including scientists, researchers, and heads of green companies.

Showcase – Greensburg has established itself as a 1.5 square-mile living trade show, the first of its kind in the world. Greensburg is a place where companies can display their newest and best ideas, and products and technologies related to sustainable building and green living. Green building is the only  growing segment of the construction industry, and green products and services are a multi-billion dollar business. Greensburg is a platform to bring attention to small and large companies with great ideas and products that deserve to be seen. There is great potential to attract investment in a variety of ways from companies looking to be a part of Greensburg.

Let’s keep our eyes on the prize(s). The concept of sustainable building and green living is an essential element of the future of Greensburg. As an organization dedicated to the success of these efforts we invite and encourage you to continue to take an active role in shaping Greensburg's future.

The image accompanying this article is that of the Meadowlark House, winner of last year's international design contest co-sponsored with FreeGreen.com. It will be built as the second home of GreenTown's Chain of Eco-Homes Project, across the street from the Silo Eco-Home. Stay tuned for details!