In early June, Green Umbrella hosted its annual Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit at the Sharonville Convention Center. It was a joy to see many members of the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District in attendance.

We’re living through a challenging time for people who care about sustainability. The federal funding landscape is uncertain and commitments to sustainability goals are fluctuating in many different arenas.

Amidst this uncertainty, the Summit represented an opportunity for people to come together, reaffirm core values, and draw strength from community. I was gratified that one of the core messages I heard repeatedly at the event was this: While the speed of change may have temporarily slowed, the direction of our societal transition remains unchanged. We are making progress toward a more sustainable future, and we will continue to do so.

If you were at the Summit, I hope you, like me, came away energized for the work ahead. And if you missed it, or just need a jolt of inspiration, please join us at one of our many community events, like our upcoming Sustainability Breakfast on June 25 (details below). In times like these, community is more important than ever.

June 25 | 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM | 3080 Exploration Ave, Cincinnati OH 45206

Join us for the next installment in our Sustainability Breakfast Series, presented by Cincinnati METRO! Enjoy a delicious breakfast catered by Juniper Seed and coffee provided by Deeper Roots while you learn about the latest sustainability initiatives at Cincinnati METRO, including hybrid buses, Bus Rapid Transit, and more - plus plenty of time for conversation and networking. Green Umbrella members get discount tickets - click here to login into our website and access your discount codes.

June 26 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online Webinar

The energy funding landscape is in a state of flux, but there are still opportunities available. If you are looking for financial support for your clean energy project, please join us for an update by Nikki Vandivort from Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability on the shifting landscape of federal, state, and local incentives for clean energy projects.

Measuring your current energy and water use - known as benchmarking - is the first step to improving the operating efficiency of your building. At the 2030 District, we work with our members to help them learn the benefits of benchmarking and how to do it, including the use of helpful software tools.  One way we share this information is by conducting Benchmarking 101 sessions in communities around the region. We’ve held two so far (in Covington and Oxford) and will hold more in the coming months. If you would like to host a Benchmarking 101 in your community, contact wyatt@greenumbrella.org.

All 2030 District Members have access to free, customized Building Performance Reports! If you are up-to-date with your benchmarking, contact us to schedule a consultation: wyatt@greenumbrella.org. (And if you need help with benchmarking, we can help with that too!) 

Have you been part of a recent cutting-edge green building project, whether a new construction, a retrofit, or a renewable energy installation? Let us share your story! We are compiling case studies of green building projects in our region. Our goal is to understand how these projects come together, including how owners decide to embrace sustainability, the role played by key constituencies, and how these projects pencil out financially. We’re creating a portfolio of stories to help others understand the “hows” and “whys” of going green. If you have ideas for a project we should profile, contact wyatt@greenumbrella.org. 

2030 District Member Melink Solar has been at the forefront of the clean energy transition for almost two decades. The company is a leading installer of ground- and roof-mounted solar systems, EV chargers, and battery storage systems for commercial, governmental, educational, religious, and non-profit organizations.

 Their in-house experts help prospective clients assess their energy needs and opportunities and design effective solutions to control costs, increase resilience, and reduce emissions. Melink Solar is behind some of the most visible solar arrays in our region, including both of the parking lot solar canopies at the Cincinnati Zoo, and many more that are equally valuable but tucked out of sight on rooftops or rural parcels.  

Interested in sponsoring the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District? Review Green Umbrella’s sponsor package and reach out to charlie@greenumbrella.org.

Reply to this email to reach Wyatt, or for questions regarding membership, visit here or email membership@greenumbrella.org