Who We Serve: Government

The public sector has historically been a strong early supporter of environmental and social programs. More recently, government is viewing energy efficiency, clean energy and other green sectors as a way to retain and create jobs, enhance quality of life, promote public welfare and reduce risk of flooding or other natural disasters.  The Federal stimulus is giving public sector sustainability a boost as dollars flow to and through government agencies to stimulate economic activity and create jobs.

As one of the most experienced, trusted guides to the green economy in the Great Lakes region, the Delta Institute provides cities, counties, state and regional entities and other government institutions with credible, independent guidance and supportive services.  Delta is helping the public sector by:

•    Reducing Impacts and Improving Operations: Developing and implementing sustainability plans, including assessing current impacts, helping set goals, establishing action plans, developing carbon footprints and other metrics, and assisting with plan implementation whether operating on a local, regional or statewide basis.  This includes helping green public buildings, developing energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts, improving municipal water management and waste handling, and facilitating green purchasing, and establishing destinations for green meetings and tourism.

•    Creating and Administering Financial Incentive Programs: Delta functions as a funding and financing resource for government bodies, as well as an administrative facilitator for complex public incentive programs such as home weatherization grant programs and revolving loan funds for energy efficiency building retrofits.  

•    Promoting Economic Development and Jobs:  Under a four-year grant from the US EPA Delta is facilitating sustainable brownfield redevelopment through the development of “Green Economy Action Plans” for weak markets throughout the region and more in-depth feasibility studies for specific sites and green businesses.  These action plans and studies provide critical early seed money for catalytic projects to stimulate the growth of the green economy and jobs.  

•    Reducing Risk:  Governments are at ground zero for identifying and managing flooding and other risks related to climate change and hazardous industries.  Delta is able to develop and implement cost-effective plans and policies that help governments reduce their carbon footprint, manage water and waste and purchase green products at affordable prices.  

•    Increasing Stakeholder Buy-In:  Delta has a history of convening stakeholders, establishing coalitions to support major public-private initiatives, identifying barriers and developing action plans for overcoming challenges on behalf of cities, towns and other public agencies.

•    Building Capacity:  Building the capacity of government to implement sustainability is a key to transforming the region into a center of the Green Economy. That’s why Delta is facilitating the transfer of information, resources and tools for sustainability planning, economic development and implementation of sector-specific growth strategies.

To explore your green opportunities and find out how Delta Institute can help your government agency, visit our Green Economy Navigator.