The City of East Grand Rapids has been recognized for its environmental leadership by Michigan Green Communities.
The City earned gold in the Michigan Green Communities Challenge for its innovative work in energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling and environmental justice, among others. MGC is a statewide network of local government staff and officials who collaborate to promote sustainability solutions. Its annual MGC Challenge allows participants to track and benchmark their progress.
East Grand Rapids was one of 48 communities statewide to earn gold, silver or bronze in this year’s MGC Challenge.
“The City of East Grand Rapids is honored to receive this award from the Michigan Green Communities Challenge for our diverse and strategic sustainability efforts,” City Manager Shea Charles said. “Our residents, staff and community have all played an instrumental role in ensuring our environment is healthy and enjoyable for all.”
Some of the City’s recent sustainability initiatives include:
- Launching a food scrap composting program as part of a three-year pilot program.
- Improving bicycle access and rideability with the Mobility-Bike Action Plan, providing a connected network of cycling facilities within East Grand Rapids and adjacent communities.
- Being recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the past nine years for the City’s care and maintenance of public trees, including a cost-sharing tree planting program.
- Installing solar arrays to all City-owned buildings.
- Becoming the first municipality in the state to join DTE Energy’s CleanVision Natural Gas Balance program, which helps reduce the City’s carbon footprint.
Michigan Green Communities is a sustainability networking, benchmarking and technical assistance program. Open to all local governments in Michigan at no cost, it guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the state.
For more information about MGC and its challenge, visit migreencommunities.com.