La Plata County and 4CORE are collaborating with multiple partners through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Showcase Community (CSC) grant to increase local employment opportunities and create lasting change in Southwest Colorado. The overall goal of the CSC program is to create cost-effective projects that encourage energy efficiency, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and inspire other local and tribal governments to improve environmental, economic, health, and social conditions. La Plata County is the fiscal agent of the CSC grant, and the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) is the administrative agent. Partners and projects include: • The Durango Discovery Museum, which will engage youth with innovative technology by creating a living laboratory that demonstrates the value and science of renewable energy and energy efficient building practices; • A partnership among 4CORE, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, La Plata Electric Association, Local First, and SWConnect that will assist businesses with increasing resource efficiency and health in the workplace through the Resource Smart Business Program; • Southern Ute Community Action Programs, which will reduce commuter vehicle miles traveled by increasing ridership on Road Runner Transit; and • Healthy Community Food Systems, which will work with producers, processors, marketers, and consumers to make our local food system healthy, economically viable, and good for the land. Look for more information on these projects coming to your corner of the County! For more information on this grant and other recipients, visit www.epa.gov/ statelocalclimate/local/showcase. Contact Susan Hakanson at La Plata County (970-382-6212) or Amanda Saunders at 4CORE (970-259-1916) for more information.