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The Town of Cutler Bay was one of only 15 U.S. cities to be selected to participate in U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program for 2022.
The USGBC is a nonprofit organization that supports the development of prosperous, healthy and resilient communities through the transformation of the built environment.
The Cities Local Government Leadership Program lasts for one year and brings together 15 diverse local governments from around the country with the purpose to “help set goals, collect data, get and organized to apply for LEED for Cities certification. LEED for Cities helps local leaders create responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors” that contribute to quality of life.
“Local governments have the ability to make a big impact and serve as an example of sustainability achievement,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO at USGBC. “This year’s cohort of cities and counties are looking to create responsible, sustainable plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors. Along with Bank of America, we are looking forward to these 15 localities’ pursuit of LEED for Cities certification.”
The 15 local governments selected for the 2022 program represent a population of more than three million Americans and a land area approximately the size of the state of Delaware. The cohort includes: Amesbury, MA; Cape Canaveral, FL; Columbia, SC; Cutler Bay; Davidson, NC; Dayton, OH; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Henderson, NV; Issaquah, WA; Ithaca, NY; La Crescent, MN; Oakland County, MI; Reno, NV; State College, PA, and Tucson, AZ.
This year’s program will provide additional support to participating cities and counties on social equity. Staff and consultants will produce training and case studies while local leaders set goals and tangible actions that can be completed over the program year. LEED for Cities’ Quality of Life category features topics like environmental justice; civic and community engagement; public health; education; jobs and housing affordability.
Cutler Bay town manager Rafael Casals is pleased that their efforts have been recognized.
“This is great news and is in line with what the town continues to do to set high environmental standards,” Casals said.
