Economic Development: Green/Energy Sustainability

Why Google Should Choose Columbus as a test city for ultra-high speed broadband internet service Columbus, Wisconsin is a unique and wonderful small city that encompasses the best attributes of mid America! It is nestled among gently rolling hills, woodlands, and the Crawfish River. Columbus is a community which is actively being transformed by ongoing residential and commercial development. Several business parks are now being developed and a new redevelopment and a mixed use development district are also being proposed. In 2008, Columbus was selected by Hollywood Director Michael Mann as one of the major filming sites for the 2009 movie Public Enemies, featuring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Columbus is a progressive municipality that has become a green energy sustainable leader, receiving state and national recognition for our efforts. These include: One of the first of ten "Energy Independent Communities" designated by the State of Wisconsin and awarded with the largest energy independence grant On track to become the first city in Wisconsin to convert all street lights to LED Featured as Wisconsin Builder Magazine’s March cover story, "Leading the Charge" for groundbreaking energy sustainability efforts One of the first Wisconsin cities to adopt an NEV ordinance allowing and encouraging the use of electric cars Starting the Columbus energy efficiency home program to build 5-10 solar, high energy efficient homes for sale and for public education The first and only City in Wisconsin to establish the position of Director of Economic Development/Energy Sustainability First city in Wisconsin to install energy sustainable municipal parking lots, including NEV/hybrid electric chargers and LED lighting, Recipient of three energy sustainability grants in the last two years Columbus’ special "small town" character includes: Being a feature story on ABC’s "Good Morning America" on October 10, 2009 The largest Antique Mall in Wisconsin and the Midwest that draws 100,000 visitors annually A high quality and well preserved housing stock with several hundred restored and preserved historic buildings, dating back to the Civil War One of the largest horse carriage companies in America, Colonial Carriage Works Horse and Carriage Capital of Wisconsin, headquarters of the Midwest Horse Fair, Wisconsin Horse Council, and the Midwest Horse Center Location for the largest horse and carriage show in America, the Carriage Classic For these reasons, we invite and ask Google to help Celebrate Columbus and select Columbus, Wisconsin as a trial location for its ultra- high speed broadband network. Columbus offers the following advantages to Google as a prospective ultra-high speed broadband test city: A progressive, highly motivated city and city government with friendly, civic minded, and welleducated citizens who enjoy a high quality of life One of only 50 Wisconsin communities which provide a municipal electric utility, along with sewer and water. Our locally owned and managed utility is a major advantage that will allow Columbus to quickly and efficiently work with Google in installing an ultra high speed broadband network! A license for community broadband fiber optic issued by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission A strong , vibrant and diversified business community that includes health care facilities, several large and growing manufacturing companies, and varied retail, service and specialty stores Community assets that include a respected regional hospital, and an impressive regional aquatic center Business Parks and developable areas with the advantages of being on a major rail line and in a Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) Districts , a unique economic development incentive a strong new residential construction market that outpaced almost all neighboring and regional communities, large and small alike, in 2008, despite a very poor economy One of the lowest crime rates in Wisconsin and the Midwest Close 25 minute proximity to Madison, Wisconsin’s capital city, via Highway 151-- a four lane expressway connecting Green Bay and the Fox Valley with Madison One of only a few communities in Wisconsin offering Amtrak service and the only Amtrak station in the Madison and surrounding region, connecting Columbus to Seattle, Chicago and beyond via the Empire Builder Line. Strategically located on 5 major state highway corridors, including Highways 151, 16, 60, 73, and 89, that connect Columbus to the largest population centers in the Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Green Bay in less than 1.5 hours)

Announcement The City of Columbus has been awarded an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for $159,200 to convert city street lights to LED fixtures. The grant is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and awarded through the State of Wisconsin. It is expected the grant will allow Columbus Water & Light (CWL) to convert between 283 or more of the city’s 643 street lights to LED from high pressure sodium. "The receipt of this grant is due to the hard work and leadership of City-Water & Light Department staff, and the leadership and vision of the Mayor, City Council, Columbus Water & Light Commission, and the Greater Columbus Energy Task Force", stated City Administrator Boyd Kraemer. It is also testament to the City of Columbus’ leadership as an energy sustainable and energy independent community. Because of the superior lighting, performance, and future capabilities of these new state-of-the art LED street lights, vehicle and pedestrian safety will be improved, crime can be deterred, and commercial interests will be enhanced and promoted. Under the leadership of CWL Superintendent John Andler, then CWL Assistant Superintendent Bill Daley, CWL Energy Services Representative Jim Schieble, and the Columbus Water & Light Commission, Columbus Water & Light installed several LED street light pilot projects in several areas of the city, beginning in 2008. Since then, the lights were changed, upgraded, and studied to determine their feasibility, durability, lighting, energy savings, and city residents’ satisfaction. In 2009, the same make of LED street lights to be installed throughout the City with the grant were installed in the Senior Center and Ludington Street parking lots, as well as in front of Columbus City Hall and the Columbus Community Center. The LED light fixtures to be installed, Beta Ledway, are manufactured in the United States by RUUD Lighting, headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin.

Announcement January 8, 2010 Construction of a 24 unit townhome development, Avalon Commons, will begin in Columbus in the Spring of 2010. All units will be completed in 12 months. Columbus construction trade and other related vendors are encouraged to partner with Brookstone Homes on this development to provide quality work and a dependable schedule that can be relied on. Interested vendors should contact: Jason Hammen Brookstone Homes 262.567.5700 www.BrookstoneHomes.com/vendors/index.asp#

Columbus converts second hybrid fleet car to a PHEV The City of Columbus recently transformed its municipal services fleet by converting its second standard Toyota Prius hybrid fleet car to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at no cost to taxpayers. The electric battery conversion system was installed by Smart Toyota, Madison. A PHEV is a hybrid that is fitted with an additional battery that gives the vehicle the ability to be recharged from a standard 120-volt electrical outlet. Both standard hybrids and PHEVs are powered by a combination of electricity and liquid fuels; however, PHEVs draw their charge from the engine and captured brake energy, as well as from the electrical grid when they are plugged into an electrical outlet. The battery takes approximately five hours to charge in a standard outlet, which would cost the average electric customer less than 50 cents. "We are excited to add a second PHEV to our fleet and maximize our fuel economy while significantly reducing emissions that are harmful to the environment," Steve Sobiek, Director of Economic Development/Energy Sustainability, said. Columbus is one of only ten energy independent model communities, as designated by the State of Wisconsin. Plug-ins operate like any other standard Prius. PHEVs have traditional fuel tanks and internal combustion engines, so they do not face the range limitation of electric-only cars. As a result, the vehicles can travel up to 30 miles on electricity before using the standard, gas-electric operating system and get up to 100 miles per gallon or more. "The City of Columbus and Columbus Water & Light are committed to promoting energy efficiency and conservation," said Sobiek. "We believe that the PHEV technology offers immense benefits for our environment and our economy, including increased fuel efficiency, better mileage and reduced emissions." The City of Columbus and Columbus Water & Light were able to convert both standard Toyota Prius vehicles with incentives from its regional power supply company, WPPI Energy. In November 2008, Columbus Water & Light converted its first Toyota Prius to a PHEV, later adding a colorful car wrap of Columbus images, including redbud trees and City Hall. For more information, please contact Steve Sobiek at (920) 623-5900.

Columbus Arbor Day 2009 Celebrating Columbus’ leadership and commitment to sustainability! Mark Jansen, Nancy Olson, Eric Anthon, Steve Sobiek join representatives of the Columbus School’s 4th grade class in planting a Serviceberry tree in front of the Columbus water & Light’s Prius electric plug-in.

City of Columbus' New Electric Truck The City of Columbus Public Works Department took delivery of the City's new electric truck (pictured above). Manufactured by Columbia ParCar in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, the truck will be used for park maintenance and public works functions. The vehicle has a hydraulic lift that can carry 1,000 pounds. Powered by electric batteries, the vehicle can attain a speed of 25-28 miles per hour, with a range of 150 miles when fully charged. The ParCar truck joins the City's two Prius hybrid plug-ins already in the City of Columbus fleet, including one owned by Columbus Water & Light (pictured below). Together, these vehicles demonstrate Columbus' commitment and leadership on energy sustainability, independence and conservation in an effort to reduce the City's reliance on fossil fuels and reduce its use of non-renewable power sources. The truck was purchased with a $5,000 grant from WPPI Energy and assistance from Columbus Water & Light.

COLUMBUS GOES GREEN - Click here to read the WKOW TV news story about Columbus!

Green/Energy Sustainability The City of Columbus is a Green/Energy Sustainable Leader! Columbus was one of the first municipalities in Wisconsin to become an Energy Independent Community by pledging to work toward generating 25 percent of its electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025. As part of this, the City benchmarked its energy usage in all City facilities as we continue to implement energy conservation and sustainability. Toward this end, the City of Columbus is expected to purchase 15 percent of its electricity from green renewable resources in 2009, and purchased a Prius hybrid plug-in, and an electric truck for public works functions. Columbus was also among the first municipalities to adopt an NEV ordinance allowing electric cars on city streets in early 2008. The City is encouraging department heads to include alternative energy/hybrid vehicles in vehicle specs and bids. The most recent example of this is the recent purchase of a flex fuel Police vehicle that can run on both ethanol E-85 and gasoline. In 2008, the City began its energy sustainability and green efforts in earnest after receiving a two year grant, "Leading by Example" from Wisconsin Public Power Inc, the parent utility organization of Columbus Water & Light. In addition the City is receiving a grant from the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence to benchmark both City and community energy usage. Thanks to these grants, the City has began the following green/sustainability initiatives: It is our goal to become the first city in Wisconsin to convert its street lights to LED lighting, for a 75 percent energy savings. We expect to approve the first 25 percent phase-in of this project to begin in 2009. To cultivate a culture of sustainability, the new Columbus City Hall parking lot has been equipped with electric plug-ins to facilitate and encourage electric car usage. Toward this end, the City brought electric cars and trucks to Columbus for 3 different public information campaigns to encourage electric car usage. As a City we are encouraging the siting of green related businesses in Columbus, current businesses to be designated as green tourism businesses, and the building of both commercial and residential buildings and homes with Green and Sustainable design. To help lead Columbus energy sustainability efforts, the Greater Columbus Energy Task Force has been established to market the City's programs in this regard. Members will serve as spokespersons and ambassadors for the programs. The City also is providing bicycles at the Amtrak station in Columbus for Amtrak commuters to use to explore the city - a green transportation option that is free of charge. Lastly, Columbus is looking at incorporating sustainability in its revised zoning code and in designing/developing the new Westside Business Park. The business park is expected to include some of the following components : green space, wetland conservation, community gardens, bike paths, and recreational ball fields. Economic Development/Energy Sustainability Director Steven Sobiek City of Columbus 105 N. Dickason Blvd Columbus, WI 53925 920.296.7081 920.623.5901 FAX E-Mail: ssobiek@columbuswi.us

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