August 9-10, 2010
Contact: Tanya Brothen, New York Foreign Press Center
Telephone: (212) 317-8332; brothentr2@state.gov
Seven journalists from Korea, Japan, Germany, and the Middle East had the opportunity to speak with local residents representing government, business, non-profit, the arts, and the general citizenry. They walked the journalists through their town's recovery from the EF5 tornado that struck on May 4, 2007 and destroyed 95% of the town. Journalists learned how and why the town of Greensburg decided to rebuild almost entirely green, and how their conservation, sustainability, and renewable energy efforts are paying off both financially and in terms of healing the community after immense tragedy. Sites visited include City Hall, a John Deere distribution center, the nearby wind farm, the art center, and a model eco-home.
