Media Release

12:00 p.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Dr. Neil Seldman, President of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, will be in Gainesville, Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16 to talk about solid waste resource management programs which divert materials from disposal and create small business and local job opportunities.  The public is encouraged to attend the talks. 

The Alachua County Public Works/Waste Management Division, is sponsoring Dr. Seldman's visit which is being hosted by the County, the Energy Conservation and Strategies Commission (ECSC), and the Chamber of Commerce.  Dr. Seldman will speak and lead discussions with local residents, businesses, entrepreneurs, and government representatives to share information on the development of local waste-based businesses.

Speaking engagements include:

Friday, Feb. 15th

Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Chamber of Commerce Discussion and Brown Bag Lunch with Dr. Neil Seldman, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Bldg, 300 East University Avenue, Suite 100.  Suggested for business owners. 

2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Special meeting of ECSC in County Commission meeting room, 12 SE 1st Street, Gainesville

Saturday, Feb 16th

10:00 a.m. to 12 noon - Alachua County Health Dept., 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville 

Dr. Neil Seldman founded the "Waste to Wealth" program at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and is responsible for the start up and expansion of recycling businesses, providing technical assistance to cities such as Philadelphia; Washington, DC; Los Angeles; and King County, WA.  His expertise is designing resource management programs which divert large amounts of materials from disposal, and create small businesses and job opportunities for residents.

Dr. Seldman has directed projects for the World Bank; National Science Foundation; US EPA; US Department of Energy; Bermuda National Trust; German Marshall Fund of the US; Children's Television Network (Sesame Street); US Department of Health and Human Services; Ford Foundation Environmental Justice Program; Rockefeller Family Fund; Pew Charitable Trust; Dodge Foundation; and Education Foundation of America.

Currently, Dr. Seldman advises community groups, government agencies and small business networks on methods to maximize diversion of discarded materials for environmental and economic benefits. He received a Ph.D. in International Relations from The George Washington University; and is a graduate of Cornell University, School of Industrial Relations.

For more information contact Alachua County Public Works Assistant Director Karen Deeter at (352)374-5245.

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