Gettysburg Borough Certified as a Gold Sustainable Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                                                                                CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                Charles R. Gable, MPA
(717) 334-1160 ext. 222
CGable@GettysburgPA.gov

Gettysburg Borough Recognized as Certified Sustainable Municipality

(Gettysburg Borough, PA – Friday, May 24, 2019) Gettysburg Borough announced today it is among a select group of high performing municipalities to become certified through the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification program. Gettysburg Borough is recognized at the Gold level of certification for meeting the program's rigorous performance criteria which track 131 policies and practices that define a sustainable community. 

The Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification, managed by the Pennsylvania Municipal League (PML) in partnership with Sustainable Pittsburgh, is designed for municipalities that are working to save money, conserve resources, and serve vibrant communities. The certification is implemented statewide, recognizing Boroughs, cities, and home rule municipalities across the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Municipal League and Sustainable Pittsburgh applaud municipalities for their demonstrated commitment and sustainability performance.  Gettysburg is hosting the annual PML Summit October 3-6, 2019 where the municipality will receive special recognition.

In earning the Gold certification, Gettysburg Borough is acknowledged for its progress in such areas as community design and land use, energy efficiency, health and wellness, intergovernmental cooperation, recycling and waste reduction, fiscal controls, and internal management and operations. Details about Gettysburg Borough’s certification performance within these topics can be found on the certification program’s website:  http://www.sustainablepacommunitycertification.org/users/certified_municipalities. Gettysburg’s certification credentials can be found at the following link: http://www.sustainablepacommunitycertification.org/assessments/view_muni/255 .

"Gettysburg Borough is proud to be recognized as a Gold Certified Community by the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification program," said Borough Manager Charles Gable. "The Borough has a long history of commitment to saving taxpayer dollars, using resources efficiently, and applying best practices in municipal government and community development. We are elated to be recognized and be part of the statewide community of good government. The Borough’s staff and Council worked hard toward this accreditation. It could not have been accomplished without their dedication to a sustainable future for Gettysburg."

"We are delighted to see Gettysburg Borough distinguished among local governments that are leading the way in applying sustainability to both their operations and management as well as within the community," said Anne McCollum, Director of Training and Development, Pennsylvania Municipal League. 

The Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification is intended to bring recognition to municipalities that are implementing the policies and practices of sustainability to advance community and regional prosperity. It also serves as a mechanism for sharing best practices for creating a more sustainable Pennsylvania. "Municipalities that earn the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification have demonstrated a commitment to advancing sustainable best practices to foster thriving and vibrant communities where people long to live, work, and play. Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation is at the heart of sustainability and the Certification program is a means to accelerate municipal performance," said James T. Price, Sustainable Community Manager, Sustainable Pittsburgh.

For more information, please visit www.sustainablepacommunitycertification.org or contact Charles Gable at (717) 334-1160 x222 or CGable@GettysburgPA.gov .

About Gettysburg Borough

Gettysburg, the Adams County seat, was originally settled in 1786 and incorporated in 1806. Today, Gettysburg is governed with a Council/Manager form of government.

Gettysburg boasts a vitality and historic downtown seen in few communities of its size. Specialty shops, coffee shops, taverns, art galleries, athletic facilities, non-profit organizations, history centers, museums, theatres, historic churches and much more offer attractions for many ages and interests. Seasonal festivals, parades, farmer's markets, and special events fill Gettysburg's streets every year.

As a close neighbor to Baltimore, Harrisburg and Philadelphia the community draws visitors from across the country and around the world. Gettysburg boasts Sister Cities in Europe, Central America, North America, and Asia. Gettysburg is known as the 'Historic Crossroads' - a reference to the intricate and intersecting road system leading to and through the town. Control of this road system was a seminol reason why the Union and Confederate Armies fought a three-day battle in and around the town during the American Civil War in July 1863. 

Recently receiving National recognition for its Main Street Progam for advancing historic preservation and economic development, Gettysburg is also a very safe community where pedestrians come before motorized vehicles (it is very easy to walk across the street in Gettysburg). Known for its Recreation Park and developing interconnected bike paths (called the Gettysburg Inner Loop), it is a place for families with children of all ages to enjoy life. The Gettysburg Area School District also has a very strong reputation.

The Borough supports open and responsive local government. We are proud of those who serve on our Borough Council, volunteer on our Authorities, Boards, and Commissions, and serve as Emergency Responder Personnel, as well as our dedicated employees who serve and protect residents and visitors.

About the Pennsylvania Municipal League

The Pennsylvania Municipal League (PML) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1900 as an advocate for Pennsylvania’s 3rd class cities. The PML represents participating Pennsylvania cities, boroughs, Boroughs, and home rule municipalities that all share the League’s municipal policy interests. PML provides a wide array of municipal services including legislative advocacy (on both the state and federal levels), publications designed to educate and inform, education and training certification programs, membership research and inquiries, consulting-based programs, group insurance trusts, and the statewide Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification. Specific to Southwestern Pennsylvania, PML is partnered with Sustainable Pittsburgh for outreach.

About Sustainable Pittsburgh

Sustainable Pittsburgh works to support decision-makers in the Pittsburgh Region to improve the integration of economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental quality through fostering sustainable solutions for communities and businesses. Over the past 20 years, Sustainable Pittsburgh has proven adept at building coalitions for the policy and practice of sustainable development for southwestern Pennsylvania. SP educates and engages decision-makers and in turn elevates expectations for integration of the 3Es (environmental conservation, social equity, and economic prosperity) among government, businesses, nonprofits, and academia.