2012 Monterey Bay Regional Economic Forum Public-Private Partnership Award Recipients

Just Announced! On Novemeber 8th 2012, the Monterey County Business Council annoucned the Annual Economic Development Public-Private Partnership Awards. End Quote

Salinas, CA (1888PressRelease) November 17, 2012 - Monterey County Business Council 2012 Monterey Bay Regional Economic Forum Public-Private Partnership Award Recipients

On November 8th the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) announced the Annual Economic Development Public-Private Partnership Awards as part of the Monterey Bay Regional Economic Forum. The Monterey County Business Council recognizes public-private partnerships that have resulted in projects and programs that contributed to the economic well being of communities in Monterey County. MCBC recognizes successful public-private partnerships in two categories:
1) General and 2) Green. The General category requires that the project show an increase in the tax base of a city or the county, retention of jobs, creation of jobs, and upgrade in the skills of the workforce or other measurable benefit to the economy of Monterey County. The "Green" Project should focus on one or more of the following: technology that saves energy, water or other natural resource, development of alternative energy or water sources, promotion of the use of green technology, products or services.

This year's awards were sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and were presented by Wendy Sarsfield; Government Relations of PG&E. Recipients of this prestigious award were recognized by the CA Assembly, CA Senate, Monterey County Board of Supervisors and Congressman Sam Farr.

Public-Private Partnership Award Recipients included:
• Hartnell College and Agricultural steering committee for the Hartnell College Agriculture Business and Technology Institute that addresses the need to have a vital, relevant agricultural education program that meets the needs of the Salinas Valley and the Monterey Bay Regional agricultural industry, providing valuable employment opportunities for youth and adults in the communities. The institute has increased capacity of the program from two full-time to four full-time faculty members between 2006-2012 and has earned the first Food Safety certificate for a community college in the state and development Western

Food Safety Summit.
Photo: Hartnell College Agriculture Business and Technology Institute representatives receiving Public-Private Partnership Award by MCBC President, Mary Ann Leffel and Supervisor Simon Salinas.
• Charles & Judy Nichols, City of Greenfield, County of Monterey and US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the Yanks Air Museum and Recreation Center in Greenfield which will soon be a museum built on 440 acre parcel along Highway 101 at the Thorne Road interchange in Greenfield. The Yanks Museum will feature a world-class collection of restored aircraft that reflect the entire spectrum of American aviation and a portion of the museum will be set aside for the creation of an advanced-technology center devoted to stimulate and educate new generations about aviation. The museum is estimated to generate nearly 400 permanent jobs along with ongoing construction jobs to be created as the various phases of the facility move forward.

Public Private Partnership Green Award Recipients:
• City of Gonzales, Constellation Wines US, Inc., Chevron Energy Solutions, and Rabobank for the Gonzales Grows Green (G3) initiative which is aimed at significantly reducing the city of Gonzales' energy and maintenance costs by installing two solar sites within the city. The project was developed, constructed and installed by Chevron Energy Solutions. Some of the improvements from the project include; upgrading all City-owned streetlights, constructing two solar installations to produce 462 kW of power, and upgrading the City's water pumping station to help conserve water and electricity.

Award by MCBC President, Mary Ann Leffel and Supervisor Simon Salinas.
For more information please contact Monterey County Business Council Executive Director, Nancy Martin
at nmartin ( @ ) mcbc dot biz dot

Background on Monterey County Business Council:
Monterey County Business Council is an alliance of business executives and professionals providing collaborative leadership to help people from business, government, education, and the community work together on countywide issues reflecting our organization's strong commitment to the environment, economic vitality, and quality of life. A membership only organization, the Monterey County Business Council is a 501(c)(6), comprised of professionals from business, government, and education working together on countywide issues. Founded in 1995, the non-profit corporation seeks to promote the concept of private-public partnerships by bringing business experience and techniques to the public arena.

Monterey County Business Council focuses on three key areas of vitality as we move forward in the 21st Century:
• Business Advocacy
• Economic Development
• Workforce Development
• Monterey County Business Council Objectives
• Create greater alignment among the activities of business, government, education, media, health and foundation/community based efforts
• Build coalitions around key community issues
• Develop strategies that support the development of jobs & business opportunities
• Work to improve the business climate to retain and expand existing businesses and the recruitment of new businesses
• Work to integrate workforce services with business needs

For more information go to www.mcbc.biz

Press Contact: Marci Bracco (831) 747-7455

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