"What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more."  (President Obama in his address to Congress; 02/24/09)

With a name like Greensburg, you could say the town was destined to be green. And on Tuesday night during President Obama’s address to Congress, the small Kansas town received high honors for rebuilding better and smarter after the devastating EF5 tornado that struck in 2007.

Last year at our national conference, BCLC, in partnership with Discovery Communications’ Planet Green channel, highlighted Greensburg for its rebuilding efforts, and we offered an update earlier this month on the town’s progress. But like Greensburg, there is an economic tornado that has ripped through America. It has left millions of Americans suffering—unemployment is higher than 10% in some states, foreclosures are skyrocketing, the stock market is at 10-year lows. 

The question is, does America have the courage to respond like Greensburg, accelerating our economic recovery and building back our nation better and stronger? 

The business community is already at the table, offering all kinds of services and resources to help individuals and communities. For example:

• Microsoft is offering job training to 2 million Americans
• Hyundai is offering to make three months of car payments in event of a lay-off
• Intuit is offering tax-filing services

Many more companies are increasing their commitment to long-term strategies for a stronger America: Capital One is offering financial literacy. Siemens and ING are investing in youth to increase their potential, prevent dropouts, and prepare them for success after school.

Companies are offering discounts, products, and services to help Americans reduce costs, save money, get new skills, develop business plans, get back to work, and generate work for others.  The business community is part of the solution.

Now is the time for solidarity. BCLC is convening leaders — those who understand the urgency and the necessity of partnership — for an action-oriented conference in Chicago on May 3-5. We will foster bold ideas, bolster smart strategies, and build public-private partnerships.

We are all in this together and BCLC is committed to doing what we can to minimize the consequences of the recession and to accelerate the recovery. We hope you’ll consider joining the business, civic, and government leaders convening in Chicago, as we take important next steps to improve our nation.

Crisis Turned into Opportunity: At BCLC’s 2008 national conference, Greensburg Mayor John Janssen and officials from the green rebuilding team discussed the recovery strategy. Plant Green, a Discovery Communications’ channel, partnered with the town and actor/producer Leonardo DiCaprio to document the comeback in "Greensburg: A Story of Community Rebuilding."