A Sustainability Starter Kit for Communities

Date: September 11, 2014
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm EST
Contact: [email protected]

Sustainability is increasingly becoming the "new normal" among industries, corporations and government agencies. It is a concept all communities have heard about. However, many are still uncertain about how to transform sustainability into an actionable economic development strategy.

In this webinar, IEDC presents a starter kit that contains the basics of how to "do" sustainable economic development. Communities everywhere can take steps to ensure that their economic development programs are grounded in the principles of sustainability. Further, the strategies to be discussed are useful for all EDOs, regardless of their location, budget, size or function.

Webinar attendees will learn about:

• Incorporating sustainability into existing ED programs
• Launching a new sustainability ED program
• Networking with local partners on sustainability

Speakers:

Natalie Betts 
Recycling Economic Development Liaison 
City of Austin 
Austin, TX

Natalie oversees the Recycling Economic Development Program to create green jobs through zero waste. Her projects include development of the Austin [re]Manufacturing Hub eco-industrial park for recycling manufacturers, business-to-business materials exchanges tools, business assistance, and promotion of local products and businesses that help close the loop on recycling. Natalie’s prior experience includes three years in the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department where she served in multiple capacities.

Marc Coudert 
Environmental Program Coordinator 
Office of Sustainability, City of Austin 
Austin, TX

Marc Coudert is an Environmental Programs Coordinator with the City of Austin Office of Sustainability, where he helped create and manages the Austin Green Business Leaders program. He also works on corporate sustainability and climate change resiliency for City of Austin operations and services. Before moving to Austin in 2009, Marc was an urban planner and intern architect in Upstate New York and California where he helped local officials, developers and citizen groups achieve common sustainable goals. 

Philipp Muessig 
Co-director, MN GreenStep Cities Program 
Assistance Division, MPCA 
Minneapolis, MN

Philipp's background is in community development and the natural sciences. Currently with the Assistance Division of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, he directs the GreenStep Cities program. Related work includes placing active transportation AmeriCorps/GreenCorps members statewide and participation in MN Design Team small town planning charrettes. Previous positions include executive director of the Seward Neighborhood Group in Minneapolis, where he also staffed the local business association, and ombudsman for a regional whole foods grocery cooperative.