12 month review- Greenprint strategy on the right track

It has been nearly one year since my administration launched Greenprint - a first-ever Providence strategy to build a sustainable community and government and generate a vibrant green economy. Today - just 12 short months later - we have shown our commitment to our goals and begun the globally-important steps of conserving energy and preserving our environment, while building a workforce for tomorrow. Though early, the signs are very promising that we are on the right track. They say competition attracts like business, and industry leaders are learning that we have the resources to make their move - or company expansion - very profitable. From angel investors, to highly-skilled and creative graduates, to nationally-prominent solar and wind manufacturers, to customized workforce training, to financial incentives - Providence is earning a solid reputation as a place that wholeheartedly invites green industry and will work to help it prosper. Along our expansive waterfront, the 105-acre Port of Providence - ProvPort - is transforming itself and many on-site businesses into energy-saving facilities. With plans to install wind and solar equipment to offset rising costs, they are working towards a net-zero energy goal. The city is actively supporting a $39.5 million application to the US Department of Transportation TIGER program and a $6.5 million Economic Development Administration request to expedite job and business development. Along the green Woonasquatucket River Corridor - the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution - Providence is leading a new industrial revolution of design and manufacturing, and supporting a dozen-plus 'green' businesses with inexpensive and attractive properties, financial and technical support and customized workforce training. And citywide, we are committing ourselves to living and building greener - in our construction of energy-efficient schools through our multi-year Building a Legacy campaign, in the remediation and redevelopment of historic brownfields into active 21st century business sites, in the construction of a green Career and Technical Academy that is training young adults and unemployed residents in higher-paying, higher-skilled trades, and in requiring LEED standards for all new municipal buildings. Just last month, we kicked off a new partnership with the Providence Housing Authority and Groundwork Providence to prepare 30 low-income residents for careers in sustainable landscaping, while offering the math and reading skills remediation and job-placement assistance. Providence has many tools and ample incentives to offer any company large or small that is looking to start a greener future and stronger bottom line here. David Cicilline is the mayor of Providence.