Miami Is Not Afraid Of The Dark

Many buildings in the City of Miami went dark for Earth Hour 2009.

Before

After
Photo credit:
Violette Sproul, Spinning Palm

Earth Hour Around the World at 8:30pm local time

Today, people around the world, in more than 2800 cities and towns and representing more than 84 countries, will be switching off their lights at 8:30pm local time for Earth Hour.

The City of Miami is one of ten American Flagship Cities participating in this historic global call to action on the threats of climate change, and I hope that you will join us, too.
All you have to do to participate is turn off all unnecessary lights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm tonight. You can also join me in celebrating Earth Hour with events in Coconut Grove, Mary Brickell Village, Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus and across South Florida. (Click here for a list of events)

Thank you for helping us make Earth Hour 2009 the greatest environmental movement in history.

Watch Michele Gillen and I Count Down to Earth Hour on CBS 4 News

-Manny

Recovery Plan Includes Energy Grants for Cities

This week, the Obama Administration announced it will distribute $2.8 billion in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) in the Recovery Package. These Block Grants will go to support jobs, cut energy bills, and increase energy independence.

The City of Miami will receive $4.7 million from these grants, which will be used according to the guidelines stipulated by the Administration.

The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others.

The Block Grants are a major investment in energy solutions that will strengthen America’s economy and create jobs at the local level.


Find out more about President Obama's recovery plan on the U.S. Conference of Mayors Website.


- Manny

Affordable Homes Available to Seniors

(Jorge Perez, City of Miami)

I was very pleased to take part in today’s grand opening of Allapattah Community Housing II—rental homes available to lower income seniors. The Community Housing provides a chance for the City of Miami’s senior citizens feeling the pressures of the unsteady economy to find an affordable home. The four-story building includes a total of 79 one-bedroom units and an on-site manager. Other amenities such as a Community Recreation Service Room and proximity to the Allapattah Community Senior Center are also available to residents. The need was there—some waited in line overnight to get a unit. So, I am very glad they now have this opportunity and are planning to call this place home by April 1st!

Click HERE to see a video of the grand opening.

- Manny

Join Me in Celebrating Miami's Designation as a WWF Earth Hour 2009 Flagship City

Friends and readers,
Please join me as my guest for a special celebration of Earth Hour on the Sky Terrace of the Bank of America Tower at International Place, this Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00pm.
There will be live music, a green art showcase and a special preview of the GenerationEngage film: Project Switch & Save.
Click on the image below to see the full invitation.
I hope that you can make it. Please don't forget to turn off your lights this Saturday night from 8:30 to 9:30pm. Together, we are making Earth Hour the largest climate action event in history.
For a list of events through this Saturday, please click here.
-Manny

Help Is on The Way for Small Businesses

Small businesses are the foundation of our economy, having created approximately 70 percent of all new jobs in the past decade. These businesses don't only generate millions of jobs, the are also the starting point of many towards the American Dream.
Unfortunately, during these harsh economic times, mayors all over the country have watched as small businesses in their communities shut their doors due to lack of access to capital and through no fault of their own.
In January, the nation’s mayors sent a letter to President Obama, Treasury Geithner Secretary and Congress urging for immediate relief for small businesses in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and to express concern about the small businesses in their communities that are unable to borrow the funds they need to keep their businesses operating.
Thankfully, President Obama listened to our pleas, proving that he understands the importance of small and businesses in America’s MainStreet. The President recently announced a plan to save small businesses through higher loan guarantees, reduced fees and overall expansion of access to capital will help small businesses.
Today, Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and I discussed Federal and local aid for small businesses during a press conference at Jungle Island, and then participated in the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Summit. We highlighted that the President's plan to unlock credit for small businesses will save businesses, allow them to grow, and save and create thousands of jobs.
I also discussed programs available within the City of Miami to assist small businesses, such as the Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC™), Small Business Loans and micro-loan programs, and technical support.
I am thankful to Senator Inouye for his support to small businesses. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Inouye has been at the head of the table drafting and negotiating all of our economic recovery plans, including the stimulus bill, and we are grateful for his work in this area.
To read more about the President’s proposal click HERE and HERE
To read more about the CIty of Miami's programs available for small businesses, click HERE

- Manny

Miami Flagship City for Earth Hour 2009

I'm proud to say that the City of Miami is among just ten American Flagship Cities chosen by the World Wildlife Fund to lead our country's participation in Earth Hour 2009, the global campaign to raise awareness and promote unity in the fight against climate change. Last year, Miami was the first city in America to turn off its lights as part of the WWF marketing campaign leading up to the event. This year, we are hosting several events across the Greater Miami area to help everyone understand how together, we can make a real difference.

Earth Hour is not a blackout, but an invitation to turn off all unecessary lights - in our homes, businesses and on our most iconic buildings - to make a global statement of concern and a commitment to finding solutions. City Hall, the Bank of America Tower and the Freedom Tower are just a few of the buildings that will go dark. Please join us at one of the City's events or visit www.earthhourus.org for more information. You can also watch the official video here.

And please, remember to turn off your lights on Saturday, March 28th from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

-Manny