Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission

2015 Maryland Sustainable Growth Forum and Awards Ceremony

Presented by the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission

2013 Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission AwardThe Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards celebrate significant achievement by individuals, businesses, organizations and local governments to realize the 12 planning visions adopted by the Maryland General Assembly. The awards promote exemplary work that represents or inspires collaboration, innovation, conservation, community impact and quality of life. The commission also will celebrate the student winners of the collegiate Sustainable Growth Challenge.

This year’s third annual Sustainable Growth Forum and awards presentation was held on February 24 at the President’s Conference Center in the Miller Senate Building in Annapolis. Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell​​ delivered the keynote.​

 


2015 Sustainable Growth awards

The Commission recognized the following people and projects during its award ceremony and forum on February 24. The commission also presented the 2014 Sustainable Growth Challenge student competition winners.

Karl Brendle

Karl Brendle PicFor a lifetime of service and commitment to smart growth. Awarded posthumously. Karl served as Economic Development Officer and Director of Community Planning and Business Services for the city of Laurel and as a member of the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission (Leadership & Service

screenshot of the video
Watch a brief video about the award

 

Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Baltimore

Greater Homewood CommunityFor leadership in strengthening neighborhoods in central Baltimore, focusing on lower- and middle-income neighborhoods, improving public schools and facilitating investment, community organizing and leadership development (Leadership & Service)

screenshot of the video
Watch a brief video about the award

 

Spike Gjerde, Owner and Chef of Woodberry Kitchen

Woodberry KitchenFor commitment to local farmers and providing them with a reliable market for high-quality products and supporting the rural economy (Leadership & Service)

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Watch a brief video about the award

 

Farm Alliance of Baltimore City

Farm Alliance of Baltimore CityFor helping transform neighborhoods by removing blight and bringing life and purpose back to often-forgotten parts of the community, through increasing food access, creating viable farms, revitalizing vacant lots and building vibrant urban communities (Smart Growth Communities)

screenshot of the video
Watch a brief video about the award

 

Homewood Community Partners Initiative, Baltimore

Homewood CommunityFor focusing on solutions to urban blight, generational poverty and social struggles by collaborating on projects as varied as erecting homes and businesses on former vacant lots to planning community festivals (Smart Growth Communities)

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Watch a brief video about the award

 

Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Branch of the Washington County Free Library

Woodberry KitchenFor choosing to rebuild and renovate a 50-year-old building in the heart of downtown Hagerstown contributing to the continued success of its revitalization (Smart Growth Communities)

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Watch a brief video about the award

 

Ocean City Development Corporation Façade Improvement Program

Ocean City ProgramFor reversing the trend to demolish dilapidated structures and convert them into surface parking lots, providing financial assistance and incentives to renovate Ocean City buildings with a focus on their public face (Smart Growth Communities)

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Watch a brief video about the award

 

Evergreen Heritage Center, Frostburg

Evergreen Heritage CenterFor showcasing best practices in environmental conservation and providing an example of how to live off the land while protecting it for future generations, providing environmental education programs, healthy living programs to organizations, experiential learning for college students and workshops on best practices in sustainable agriculture and forestry (Preservation/Conservation)

screenshot of the video
Watch a brief video about the award

 


 

Sustainable Growth Forum​

Governor Ed RendellThe third annual forum featured the keynote address by Edward G. Rendell (Governor of Pennsylvania 2003-2011; Mayor of Philadelphia 1992 – 2000) speaking on “Reinvesting in Infrastructure, Rebuilding Communities."

After 34 years of public service, including 24 years as an elected official, Governor Rendell continues to pursue a commitment to making America a cleaner, more efficient place. Of paramount importance to Governor Rendell is America's need to rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure. As governor, Rendell worked with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to create Building America's Future, an organization focused on the need for a more significant investment in American infrastructure. Governor Rendell serves as co-chair of the organization and travels throughout the country to promote the need for infrastructure reinvestment.​