HICKORY - Hickory was recently honored as a North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) Green Challenge municipality by the NLCM. Hickory achieved "Advanced Level" status by completing specific activities and projects to save energy, natural resources and money.

Cities and towns that achieved NCLM Green Challenge status were honored at the NCLM Annual Conference, October 25-27, 2009, at the Greenville Convention Center. This year, Hickory joins 21 other municipalities in the "Advanced Level" while 13 have been approved for "Intermediate Level". In addition, four municipalities joined the ranks of the "Level One" Green Challenge communities this year.

"Municipalities continue to lead the way in implementing sustainable operations and innovations that save energy, natural resources and money," said Morehead City Mayor Jerry Jones, 2008-2009 NCLM president. "The League is proud to honor these cities and towns that have made tough decisions that will have a positive impact on their communities, citizens, region and state for years to come."

"It says a lot that Hickory didn't have to do anything special to gain this recognition," said Hickory City Manager Mick Berry.  "We have great coworkers who have implemented energy and money saving projects for years, and its great to now be recognized for that 'green' focus."

Hickory reached the highest level of "Advanced" in this year's round of the Green Challenge because of the following activities:

·         Hickory has an Energy Manager Position.

·         Hickory has an internal Recycling Program.

·         Hickory provides a community-wide curbside recycling program.

·         Hickory has a land use plan that encourages high density development and encourages mixed-use communities.

·         Hickory allows for conservation subdivisions and working to further incentivize such in Hickory By Choice Update and for utilizing open space conservation practices in the land development code and also provide for fees-lieu, which go to a special recreation fund.

·         Hickory has implemented a Tree Preservation Plan.

·         Hickory has implemented employee education program on environmental and energy conservation practices.

·         Hickory has developed and implemented a community education program dealing with environment and energy.

·         Hickory received a grant for $209,300 to install new energy efficient lighting/retrofit materials for 14 city facilities.

·         Hickory uses Bio-diesel fuel in a diesel fleet of 200 vehicles and has a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station and eight city vehicles use CNG.  .

·         Hickory is incorporating stormwater best management practices including tree wells, a bioretention area and cistern at the Downtown Bus Transfer Station.

·         Hickory holds Earth Day and Tree Preservation activities.

·         Hickory sells rain barrels.

The NCLM Green Challenge was the brainchild two years ago of then-NCLM President Susan Burgess, Charlotte council member, as a way to honor those municipalities that have taken the initiative to conserve energy and natural resources at the local government level.

Approximately 80 North Carolina municipalities achieved Level One Green Challenge status last year, including Hickory. 

"It is so exciting to see so many municipalities across the state continue to work hard on sustainability issues," said Burgess. "We will no doubt see municipal officials from these cities and towns share their good ideas with others over the next months and years so that more communities can save energy, natural resources and the taxpayers' money."

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