Summit at NCSU Focuses on Open Spaces

Economic growth and protecting the environment were at the heart of the Green Future for Economic Development Summit held in Raleigh Wednesday. Urban planners along with business, government and non-profit leaders met at the McKimmon Center on the N-C State campus. Sig Hutchinson chaired the event. He says business leaders are drawn to the Triangle in-part, by clean water and air.

"It's a public health issue in providing people the opportunity to get outside and exercise -- how many of our citizens are stuck in traffic trying to get to a gym to ride a stationary bike? So it is about quality of life, and it is about community, and it is public health and it is about economic development."

Hutchinson says business leaders and entrepreneurs are interested in trails, greenways and other open spaces and protecting those areas can help boost job growth.