Montgomery County’s progressive initiatives and programs to green the local economy were recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) at its Green Economy conference held June 17-18 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Director Steve Silverman was invited to participate in the County Forum, designed to help counties around the nation capitalize on the emerging green economy. Part of NACo’s Green Government Initiative, the Forum explored best practices in energy conservation and efficiency, local food systems, sustainable community design and development, and green technology in economic and workforce development initiatives.

“Montgomery County is proud to be recognized by NACo as a green economy leader, and it was my pleasure to share some of the progressive green strategies and initiatives the County has embarked on under the leadership of County Executive Isiah Leggett during the Forum,” said Silverman. “The County’s growing number of green certified businesses, new green incubator, and initiatives to create sustainable facilities using green roofs are just some of the ways we are supporting the local economy while sustaining a healthy environment.”

Some of Montgomery County’s recent green economy successes include:

• Selection in March 2009 by Governor Martin O’Malley of Montgomery County as the new home for the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC);

• Creation by Leggett in March 2009 of a Green Economy Task Force to help the County create opportunities for new and existing “green” businesses, spur innovation, increase employment and develop next generation technologies;

• Opening of the Bethesda Green Business Incubator via a partnership between Montgomery County and local, green, non-profit Bethesda Green;

• Creation in March 2010 of a report by the Green Economy Task Force detailing 19 specific recommendations to help the County organize private investments, develop policies and create partnerships that will nurture its green industry;

• Creation of the Montgomery County Clean Energy Buyers Group, comprised of County jurisdictions and agencies, that is one of the largest green power purchasers in the nation. The Group recently increased its annual purchase to 161 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), boosting its ranking to number four on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Top 20 Local Government list and 22 on their National Top 50 list;

• Support of an 11-member Nonprofit Energy Alliance enabling them to purchase clean energy from Montgomery County based green energy supplier Clean Currents in May 2010;

• Attainment of a County Green Business Certification by 20 local businesses, and;

• Application of federal stimulus funds to County initiatives, including green jobs workforce training and building retrofits.