The couple of us spearheading what is currently being called "Sustainable Macomb" met again for the second time.  We had met last week with a representative of WIU to discuss the possibility of having the new Performing Arts Center be a sustainable building.  It will be at least LEED Silver Certified, but whether we can do better will be discussed with other officials at a later date.  Today, we discussed broadening the group to include many people with diverse interests in the various facets of sustainability.  We will likely send a letter to the local churches as an initial outreach to the community.

I've been getting more positive feedback from local officials.  I have met with or been in dialog with a number of organizations including local representatives, the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDCO), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).  They have recommended additional resources, requested additional time to review my proposal, and scheduled to converse again.  It is generally agreed that a more specific written proposal will be required.  The proposed extended feasibility study will yield data necessary for such a professional proposal.

At our first meeting of what we are currently calling "Sustainable Macomb," we discussed what first small steps we would like to take.  We decided that promoting sustainability at our local university could serve as an example to the rest of the community.  We will be recommending that the new performing arts center at WIU (Western Illinois University) be built to LEED (Leadership in Environmental Engineering and Design) or similar specifications.  In addition to being environmentally friendly, this could potentially save the university and the state money and increase campus prestige by showing more visionary leadership.

Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 1:30 PM, there will be a small group meeting at a local citizen's home to discuss Macomb's economic potential as a model sustainable city.

It's been a few weeks since I've written anything.  But we've scheduled a local meeting, gotten permission to link to a few more sites, and have been gaining support for Macomb's potential as a model green city in Illinois.  Check out the new links.