Keep the Midlands Beautiful Recognize "Green" Individuals, Businesses

Keep the Midlands Beautiful held their first Gala for a Greener Midlands on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Holiday Inn in West Columbia.  Approximately 150 people attended the event that raised money for beautification projects in the Midlands. 

Keep the Midlands Beautiful selected the Holiday Inn of West Columbia to host the event because it is the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green hotel in South Carolina.

Keep the Midlands Beautiful also gave out the Midlands Green Awards to recognize individuals and businesses for their exceptional work in making the Midlands a cleaner, greener, more beautiful community.  Nominations were accepted from the community and selected by the Keep the Midlands Beautiful Executive Committee. 

The following individuals and businesses were recognized:

The Green Small Business Award was given to Tomato Palms, a company that specializes in setting up local business to business recycling programs. 

The Green Non-Profit Award was given to the Irmo Arbor Day Committee, a grassroots organization that works to beautify the Greater Irmo area. 

The Green Neighborhood/Community Group Award was given to the University of South Carolina Housing/Sustainable Carolina who offer Green Dorm Room Certificates, an educational program that promotes waste reduction, greener habits and sustainable living practices.

The Green Large Business Award was given to The Mungo Company a local homebuilder who has donated tracts of land to local government for green space as well as using green construction processes. 

The Green Event Award was given to the Summer Celebration of Water offered by the South Carolina Chapter of the American Water Works Association and the governments of City of Columbia, Lexington County and Richland County. 

The Green Elected Official Award was given to Representative Chip Huggins (R-Lexington) for his work in the modification and beautification of I-26, and led legislative efforts to change laws to allow beautification of areas along sections of Interstate Highways in South Carolina. 

The Green Law Enforcement Officer of the Year was given to Resident Deputy David Nieves of the Lexington County Sheriff's Department for his work in coordinating local beautification and park development. 

Finally, the Board of Directors recognized Keep the Midlands Beautiful Volunteer of the Year for his dedication to the core missions of Keep the Midlands Beautiful, especially in the area of recycling. He has spent countless hours dedicated to education, mentoring & being an example in his community. It is with great pleasure that the executive committee select Jeremy Grant as our volunteer of the year 2012.

For more information about Keep the Midlands Beautiful, click here. 

Submitted by Keep the Midlands Beautiful Executive Director Jacqueline Buck