The city of Hobart is the seventh Indiana community to have achieved Silver Tier status in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) Clean Community Program.
The Northwest Indiana towns of Merrillville, New Chicago and Porter were among those communities also recently acknowledged by IDEM for achieving Bronze Tier status.
The Clean Community Program is a free, voluntary initiative that celebrates Indiana communities for their proactive work in creating sustainable environmental initiatives and projects that improve the lives of their residents, according to an IDEM news release.
IDEM listed the following projects, which helped the city of Hobart advance to the silver level:
•Adopting green grounds and maintenance practices.
•Implementing green infrastructure.
•Passing a local open burning ordinance and local ordinances improving stormwater management.
•The project restored more than half a mile of natural streamside habitat. It now captures and treats nearly 290,000 gallons of stormwater each year and prevents about 256 tons of sediment from reaching the watershed and Lake Michigan.
IDEM has also welcomed the cities of Greencastle, Lafayette, Lawrence and Westfield to the Clean Community Program, recognizing their commitment to building stronger and more sustainable environments for Hoosiers.
“I’m proud to see new communities commit to the Clean Community program,” IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods said in the release. “Their ongoing efforts to complete environmental projects will continue to make Indiana a great place to live and work.”
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Municipalities enter the program at the Bronze Tier and are encouraged to advance to Silver and Gold Tiers at their own pace.
Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun said in the release that Hobart’s advancement to the Silver Tier is something the entire community can take pride in.
“This recognition reflects the thoughtful work happening across our city, from improving stormwater management to investing in green infrastructure and strengthening environmental practices. These efforts are about more than meeting standards. They’re about protecting our environment and enhancing quality of life for our residents. We’re committed to building a cleaner, healthier Hobart for today and for generations to come, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this achievement possible,” Huddlestun said.
Other municipalities in the Clean Community Program include:
•Gold Tier: Beech Grove
•Silver Tier: Brown County, Evansville, Fishers, Richmond, Shelbyville and Zionsville
•Bronze Tier: Bloomington, Fortville, Greencastle, Kokomo, Lafayette, Lawrence, Merrillville, New Castle, New Chicago, Porter, Westfield and Whitestown
IDEM invites municipalities and community partners interested in participating in the Indiana Clean Community Program to learn more at on.IN.gov/cleancommunity.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.