Green Valley Initiative Receives $100,000 Grant

The Green Valley Initiative (GVI) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Southern California Edison (SCE) to help further the progress being made to promote clean and green technologies in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

GVI is a regional economic development plan launched in 2007 to promote renewable energy sources, alternative fuels, biotech, nanotech and other sustainable industries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, a Southern California region referred to as the Inland Empire. To date, the boards of supervisors of both counties, the Western Riverside Council of Governments and more than 25 cities and public agencies have adopted resolutions in support of the initiative.

"Southern California Edison is excited to see the cities, counties, businesses, universities and community leaders of the Inland Empire working together to establish a better future for the region," said Les Starck, SCE Vice-President of Local Public Affairs. "The Inland Empire is ideally suited for these types of technologies for a variety of reasons, most notably its anticipated population growth, proximity to major transportation hubs and its boundless sunshine. We look forward to being a part of this important transformation for Inland Southern California."

Starck will present the grant to GVI Chairman Ali Sahabi Thursday at the U.S. Department of Commerce's National District Export Council Conference at the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs. The conference, "Travel & Trade, Redefining Exports," has dedicated a portion of its programming to clean and green industries, particularly those highlighted through the Green Valley Initiative.

Sahabi said the grant will help fund the necessary steps toward establishing an independent, regional entity that will assume operations of GVI in January.

"Southern California Edison is leading by example, showing the world that it makes good business sense to support the environment, support community and to support initiatives designed to benefit others," Sahabi said. "We are pleased to partner with them on this important effort."

GVI is a project of the Green Institute for Village Empowerment, (GIVE), a nonprofit organization established in 2005 to promote balance in the way people live, how their choices impact the environment and others in their community. GIVE hosts events and initiatives, and sponsors college campus chapters to educate the public on issues related to sustainability, a term used to describe this social, economic and environmental balance.