I have strong feelings about this…I feel we have an extraordinary opportunity right now, if we take advantage of it, and that’s to become a center for sustainability. I mean a place where people come to learn about sustainability, to observe actual projects and organizations at work, to locate businesses in a congenial environment, etc. I think Ashland is very well suited to taking on this role because we have many individuals and organizations already involved with sustainability and because we’ve already got the facilities in place – lodging, restaurants, and retail stores – to accommodate visitors. And for eight or more months of the year these facilities are below capacity. We could greatly strengthen and diversify our economy with very little new investment. Also sustainability would be a good compliment to OSF and would provide excellent opportunities for the University and other public institutions.
