Cherokee County Obtains Green Communities Certification

CANTON, GA — Three counties and four cities around the region have been certified through the Atlanta Regional Commission's Green Communities Program. Cherokee, Fulton and Gwinnett Counties and the cities of Alpharetta, Chamblee, Decatur and Sandy Springs have been recognized for promoting sustainable practices.

These seven governments are "making significant strides" in reducing their respective environmental footprints, said ARC Chairman Kerry Armstrong.

"They are creating a greener region through cleaner water, less energy use, reduced waste, and restored natural resources," he added. "Their efforts serve as a model for communities across metro Atlanta that are looking to become more sustainable."

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The Green Communities program was created in 2009 to recognize local governments that invest in programs and policies that lead to a more sustainable region. The 2018 Green Communities honorees achieved the following certification levels:

• Cherokee County — Recertified Bronze
• Fulton County — Recertified Bronze
• Gwinnett County — Recertified, upgraded to Platinum
• City of Alpharetta — Recertified Gold
• City of Chamblee — Upgraded to Gold
• City of Decatur — Recertified Platinum
• City of Sandy Springs — Recertified, upgraded to Silver

The winners earned certification points for sustainable measures implemented in their communities. Cherokee County was recognized for:

• Renovating an abandoned athletic facility to transform it into the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office rather than build on undeveloped land.
• Allowing new building occupants to use existing parking and encouraging neighboring organizations and businesses to share parking. This reduces impervious surfaces while increasing walkability.
• Auditing all county-owned facilities for energy efficiency. Upgrades included switching to LED lighting, optimizing HVAC systems, and installing folding accordion doors on fire stations.
• Designating two areas as Opportunity Zones in order to revitalize underdeveloped commercial buildings and blighted residential communities. Millions of dollars of investment and hundreds of new jobs have resulted.
• Opening two glass recycling drop-off centers in a time when private trash haulers discontinued glass recycling services. The centers collected more than 290 tons of glass in 2017 alone.
• Permanently protected an estimated 23,800 acres of land, which equates to approximately 105 acres of greenspace per 1,000 residents.

According to the ARC, these seven communities in the past four years have had the combined impact of adding 503 acres of protected greenspace; reducing utility bills by $658,000; diverting more than 190,000 tons of waste from landfills; and saving or reusing 50 million gallons of water.

In metro Atlanta, 20 local governments — 13 cities and seven counties — are currently certified under ARC’s Green Communities program. Now in its 10 year, it is the first program in the country to promote sustainability through a green certification for local governments at the regional level, the ARC said.

Image via Atlanta Regional Commission