SEDCOR, the lead economic development group for Marion and Polk Counties held their Annual Honors Luncheon at Willamette Valley Vineyards to honor the outstanding achievements of local businesses on June 9, 2011. Over 300 SEDCOR members, civic and government officials were in attendance. The event was sponsored by Bank of the Cascades and Fidelity National Title. The City of Salem received The Outstanding Energy Efficiency Project award. This award recognizes an outstanding energy efficiency project that will contribute to substantial and measurable improvement in energy efficiency. Anna Peterson, Mayor, accepted the award. The City of Salem Receives Honors at SEDCOR Event. Photo Credit: SEDCOR The City of Salem continues to work in partnership with others to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Two recent examples include installing solar panels at the Salem Convention Center and installing Electric Vehicle charging stations throughout Salem. The Salem Convention Center is owned by the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem and operated by Salem Group LLC. The Conference Center secured LEED certification this past January and in March began operating solar panels on the Conference Center roof to reduce energy costs. The solar installation began with extensive research into how solar panels could ensure energy and cost savings. A further benefit is that the LEED certification, enhanced with solar energy, improves our ability to market the Conference Center to groups interested in supporting venues committed to sustainable practices. Participating in an incentive program made it possible for Salem to install this system at no cost to the Urban Renewal Agency or to Conference Center operations. In March 2011, the Salem Convention Center began drawing power at a discounted rate from the 99 kWh solar panel installation and visitors are now able to watch the system's power generation in real time from the Conference Center lobby. The City is also moving forward with Electric Vehicle charging stations. Working with a company called ECOtality North America, staff identified 14 public locations in Salem for electric vehicle charging stations. ECOtality received approximately $230 million of federal funds to install Electric Vehicle charging stations in target markets in Oregon and across the United States. The charging stations in Salem will begin to be installed in June 2011. Look for them at the West Salem Library, Chemeketa Parkade, Riverfront Park, Salem Public Library, the Salem Convention Center, and Marion Parkade. The following SEDCOR Members were also honored: Agri-Business of the Year – Al's Garden Center & Greenhouses Community Service – Woodburn Company Stores Business Partner – South Town Glass Innovative Product – Oregon Ballistic Laboratories, LLC Manufacturer of the Year – Kettle Foods