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Jeffrey Zorc
Cuyahoga County Department of Development

The Nominator: Lis Kroepel, Village of Newburgh Heights

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization?
Jeff worked to establish points for grant applicants for using sustainable, green, renewable construction materials on the Cuyahoga County Community Development Block Grant program for 2008.

What is the triple bottom line benefit (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
People and planet will benefit from incorporating sustainable/renewable materials into community infrastructure and revitalization projects. It promotes prosperity many ways: for the product manufacturers or service providers as it allows them to work with sustainable/renewable materials , reduces the risk to employees by reducing the need to work with hazardous materials, low impact materials sustain the planet, prosperity for the community when the life cycle cost and cradle to cradle concept are infused as life cycle costs may prove that renewable are lower over time, especially when the disposal of old materials into landfills is eliminated or reduced.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
The Village of Newburgh Heights has will be submitting two 2008 Community Development Block Grant applications both using sustainable materials or practices. It has given us the opportunity to incorporate the values of the community into the revitalization process.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
All communities in Cuyahoga County can follow the guidelines of the CDBG grant in creating and implementing their projects. This will encourage community leaders to incorporate the triple bottom line into subsequent projects.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Jeff has worked tirelessly with aver 50 communities in Cuyahoga County to explain the value proposition of this new and welcome addition to the national CDBG program as it is administered locally.

Back to the List of 2007 Sustainability Champions Nominees