Green Valley Initiative Launched to Promote Green Businesses, Sustainable Lifestyles and Technologies in the Inland Empire
August 14, 2007 - Significant progress is being made on an unprecedented movement to establish a new identity for the Inland Empire: a vision focused on bringing new jobs, greater opportunities and a higher quality of life to the region.
More than 100 of Inland Southern California’s most influential leaders have been working together since June to identify prospects for establishing Riverside and San Bernardino counties as leaders in green business, technology, research and sustainable lifestyles.
The plan: to bring in environmentally sound businesses that will transform the Inland Empire into the nation’s leader in the emerging industries of renewable energy, green technology, research and development. Job growth, smarter infrastructure and development, and an enhanced quality of life would be the outcome of this vision.
Those involved have been assigned to subcommittees to research various aspects of the plan. A general meeting will be held in October, involving all participants. It is at this meeting where a plan for implementation will be finalized.
The Green Valley Initiative consists of stakeholders representing every major segment of the region: business and community leaders, researchers, public officials, civic leaders, representatives of local Native American tribes and environmental advocates.
The early stages of the initiative have been sponsored by GIVE, the Green Institute for Village Empowerment, a non-profit dedicated to the promotion and education of green technologies and sustainable lifestyles.
Some of the Green Valley Initiative’s primary stakeholders include:
- Paul Biane, Chairman: San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
- John Tavaglione, Chairman: Riverside County Board of Supervisors
- Al Karnig, President: Cal State University San Bernardino
- Joe Norbeck, Director: CE CERT-University of California Riverside
- William Carney, President/CEO: Inland Empire Economic Partnership
- Dan Silver: Endangered Habitats League
- Jane Block: Riverside Land Conservancy
- Rick Bishop, Executive Director: Western Riverside Council of Governments
- John Wohlmuth, Executive Director: Coachella Valley Association of Governments
- Cindy Roth, President/CEO: Riverside Chamber of Commerce
- Judi Penman, Executive Vice President: San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce
- Lynn Valbuena, Chair TASIN: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
- Ali Sahabi, President/CEO: SE Corporation/Dos Lagos
About Green Institute for Village Empowerment (GIVE)
GIVE is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing philanthropic and educational efforts that expand sustainable communities and promote a better quality of life. Formed by SE Corporation, GIVE hosts monthly symposiums and special events in its mission to educate the public about issues related to sustainability. For more information, visit www.GiveForTheFuture.org.
About Green Valley Initiative
The Green Valley Initiative is a region-wide sustainable economic development and quality of life plan supported by major stakeholders from city, tribal and county governments and agencies, universities, school districts, business, cultural and environmental groups, and the community. The Green Valley Initiative, a project of GIVE, integrates social, economic and environmental forces to balance the needs of residents and businesses for a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.GreenValleyNow.org.
