Greentown Fox Valley to hold 'Shark Tank' style contest on sustainability ideas
GreenTown, a one-day experience designed to create healthy, sustainable communities, returns to Aurora, Illinois, on Thursday, April 27, at Two Brothers Roundhouse. An inaugural "Idea Factory" competition will be part of the event.
The "Idea Factory" will be a "Shark Tank" style feature of GreenTown Fox Valley with selected presentations focused on the main topic categories:
• Water
• Energy
• Green infrastructure
• Transportation
• Economic development
• Waste
• Food
"The 'Idea Factory' challenge will propose ideas for making the Fox Valley a more sustainable region," said Cecilia Govrik, resource management coordinator with Kane County. "Participants' presentations must be concise, two-minute pitches about project ideas that will significantly move the needle in making the Fox Valley more sustainable."
The ideas proposed must be fundable projects that could be implemented over the next 24-months in the Fox Valley region. Subsequent to the presentations at GreenTown Fox Valley, the proposed ideas must be submitted through normal application processes to be considered for funding. The "Idea Factory" presentations are not a competition for funding.
A panel of judges from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and the Fox Valley Sustainability Network will select the participants. Participants may have the opportunity to apply for funding for capital projects in the future through the Community Foundation's spring and fall grant-making program.
Presenters will provide an overview of a proposed project idea - including why it is important, how it will significantly impact sustainability in the Fox Valley along with key implementation steps.
To submit a presentation for the Idea Factory competition, go to cffrv.formstack.com/forms/fvsn_greentown_ideafactoryapplication.
Submissions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, April 7. Selected participants will be notified on April 11.
GreenTown Fox Valley will feature inspiring speakers, sustainability-themed breakout sessions, and a chance to get involved in working on projects generated by the Fox Valley Sustainability Network.
The Fox Valley Sustainability Network, formed by GreenTown co-founders a5 Inc. and Seven Generations Ahead, will host the third GreenTown event in the City of Aurora at Two Brothers Roundhouse on Thursday, April 27. At the last GreenTown Aurora event in 2015, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner urged participants to work together to ensure the further development of healthy, sustainable communities in the Fox Valley region.
The Fox Valley Sustainability Network brings together the public and private sectors from around the Fox Valley to cut across boundaries and create healthy sustainable communities - and a vibrant Fox Valley. By marrying a strong communications effort with a series of action-oriented events, the Fox Valley Sustainability Network will provide opportunities to learn together, collaborate on sustainability planning and implementation, seek funding and report progress. Visit www.foxvalleysustainabilitynetwork.com or www.facebook.com/foxvalleysustainabilitynetwork/.
Fox Valley towns include: Antioch, Fox Lake, Johnsburg, McHenry, Fox River Grove, Cary, Algonquin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Elgin, South Elgin, Wayne, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego, Yorkville, Millbrook, Millington, Sheridan and Ottawa.