The Oxford-Lafayette Economic Development Foundation has launched the "Oxford Green" campaign to help local businesses develop greener workplaces. The month-long campaign includes incentives for businesses to implement eco-friendly practices, as well as three main events - a food and wine tasting fundraiser, a symposium on green business strategies featuring speakers Jim Morrison and Al Gore, and a tree planting event where businesses can sponsor the planting of eucalyptus trees. The goal is to increase environmental sustainability while recognizing businesses and making green changes more cost effective.

1. NEWS RELEASE ~NEWS RELEASE~ NEWS RELEASE
Oxford-Lafayette Economic Development Foundation
299 Jackson Avenue West
Oxford, Mississippi 38655
For immediate release
Media contact: Jon Scott, THE OXFORD EAGLE
Tel: 662-234-4331
Email: jonscott@oxfordeagle.com
EDF leads new recycling, energy conservation campaign ‘Oxford
Green’
Campaign is the result of Oxford needs to help businesses in
developing a greener workplace.
Oxford, Miss. – The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic
Development Foundation has launched “Oxford Green,” a recycling and
energy conservation campaign dedicated to helping businesses in the area
develop greener, better workplaces.
“Although the Oxford-Lafayette region has begun efforts to go green,
cost effectiveness has limited workplace adaptation,” said Christy Knapp,
Executive Vice President of Community and Economic Development. “This
is why the EDF is proud to present a campaign that helps businesses through
increasing awareness and garnering positive recognition for action.”
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2. Green, P. 2
The campaign is held throughout the month of April, consisting of an
incentives program and three main events.
The campaign’s “Eco-Business Guide” and incentives program
provides businesses with eight different ways to develop greener work
environments. Six of these will be required in order to reach “green
certification” with community recognition. Participating businesses in the
program will qualify for a $1,000 raffle giveaway.
The first event, “Here’s to Green,” is a food and wine tasting
fundraiser geared toward raising green awareness and to increase funding for
the campaign’s incentives program. Guests will learn simple ways to be
environmentally friendly with state prosecutor, syndicated wine columnist
and author of Thomas Jefferson on Wine, Professor John Hailman. Sponsors
are Kiame’s Package Store, Downtown Grille, and Bouré. Tickets are $25
for the event on Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Powerhouse.
The main event, “GREEN Symposium,” will feature guest speakers
Jim Morrison, the UM Green Initiative’s Director of Strategic Planning, and
Al Gore, former vice president and Nobel laureate. During the symposium,
vendors will display effective green resources and methods for businesses
along with demonstrations. Tickets are $5 for the event on Thursday, April
22 at 4 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center.
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3. The final event, “Seeds of Tomorrow,” is a sponsorship event with the
purpose of giving businesses a chance to be active in going green together
by sponsoring the planting of a Eucalyptus tree. On April 30, 50 of these
trees will be planted in Lamar Park with Oby’s providing box meals for
donors. The cost of donating one tree is $20 and the sponsorship deadline is
on April 24.
All three events are open to the general public.
The EDF is an organization with strong commitment to seeking new
business and supporting existing industry in the Oxford-Lafayette area
through the successful merger of community resources with businesses
needs, creating a healthy partnership.
For more information about the “Oxford Green” campaign or the
Economic Development Foundation, call 662-234-4651 or visit the EDF
website www.oxfordms.com.
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PHOTO OP: All speakers will be available for photos after their
presentations and all businesses participating in “Seeds of Tomorrow” will
be helping to plant Eucalyptus trees.