PCCUA to co-host first green expo encouraging a green economy

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA), in collaboration with a number of local, regional and state agencies, will play host to one of the first events of its kind in this region to show why going green is important to communities in the Delta.

Among the many agencies collaborating to present the 1^st Annual Green Expo will be the Office of Community-based Public Health, College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Boys Girls Adults Community Development Center, Walnut Street Works/Tri County Rural Health Network, Village Commons, Arkansas Green Building Council, Audubon, Arkansas Clean Energy Works Coalition, Mid Delta Community Services, and the Green Jobs and Houses for Healthy Families VISTA Project, Arkansas Center for Health Equity. An event to encourage and celebrate growing the green economy throughout the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta, Going Green in the Delta will be presented Aug. 26-27 on the Helena-W. Helena campus of PCCUA and is free and open to the public.

The greening of business, development, government and consumer products and services has only just begun in the Arkansas Delta. Rising energy costs, new laws, and growing demand for environmentally friendly consumer products and services will continue to drive the green marketplace. The Green Expo will provide an exciting opportunity for green leaders in the Delta from all levels of Arkansas government, business and industry, and education to take stock of the progress of the green economy, identify commonalities across sectors and map out goals for a greener, healthier future.

The focus of the green expo is efficient energy use, one of the pillars of the green movement. Through speaker presentations, workshops, and hands-on demonstration projects, participants will learn why going green is important to Delta communities. Green expo objectives include promoting open dialogue about best practices for a green economy in the Delta, showcasing energy efficiency green entrepreneurship and products/services, enhancing the visibility of green businesses in the Delta and their contribution to the merging economy, raising awareness of green job training opportunities and grant opportunities, and creating networking opportunities for those interested in growing green strategies in the Delta.

The Going Green in the Delta program will kick off Thursday evening, Aug. 26, with homegrown talent featuring Phillip Stackhouse and his jazz/blues ensemble. On Friday, Aug. 27, featured speakers will include Dr. Eric Olson, author of “Better Green Businesses,” Martha Jane Murray, one of the Arkansas leaders of President Clinton’s Climate Control Initiative, and other state and local presenters.

Expo workshops will include such topics as green jobs and training opportunities, weatherization and energy efficiency, and information on rebates and tax credit opportunities, culminating with a hands-on demonstration project that will allow expo attendees to see and participate in an energy audit utilizing state-of-the-art technology to show how a Delta home can be made healthier and more energy efficient. It is a full day of excitement that will inspire all to go green in the Delta!

For more information about the event and how to register, call Jake Coffey, UAMS, AmeriCorps VISTA-Office of Community-Based Public Health, at (501) 526-5570 or PCCUA Vice Chancellor Dr. Deborah King at (870) 338-6474, ext. 1241.