Media &
Awards
Awards
The Green Energy Park’s Blacksmith Village has received national recognition for having the first and only forges in the U.S. fired using a renewable energy source – methane gas from a former landfill.
The Park has won several statewide and national awards, including the 2006 Project of the Year award from the Environmental Protection Agency, the 2008 Service Learning Partnership Award from Western Carolina University, and the Economic Development Leadership Award from the NC State Energy Office. We anticipate that the growing reputation of the GEP will help promote the resident artists and support their economic development, while contributing to the region-wide revival of heritage arts.
The GEP has received media attention from area television and radio stations, as well as numerous local, statewide and national publications. The GEP has also been featured in a segment of the Farmer’s Almanac Channel, a syndicated PBS show.
Articles
Captured and converted: How methane powers art in Western North Carolina. April, 2021. The Bitter Southerner.
Jackson County Green Energy Park - Making a Difference on Earth Day and Every Day. April, 2020. Our State magazine.
Dillsboro's Green Energy Park fuels the artistic spirit. January 10, 2018. The Western North Carolina Events Guide.
Zero to Viking shield in two days. January 10, 2018. The Western North Carolina Events Guide.
Arts and Trash. September 1, 2016. The Washington Post. Part of a feature article on the town of Sylva, NC; the writer takes a tour and learns about the GEP.
Landfill gas makes artist's work HOT, HOT, HOT October 20, 2013. The Republic (Columbus, Indiana)
Innovations Continue at Jackson County Green Energy Park. April 20, 2013. Asheville Citizen-Times.
WCU students practice ancient metalsmithing techniques. November 14, 2012. Smoky Mountain News.
Creative Outlet: When artists access the Green Energy Park, sparks fly. Summer 2012. Western Carolina magazine.
European landfill gas experts take tour of Green Energy Park. June 26, 2012. MountainX.com
Artists, Designers Have Painted This Town Green. April 20, 2012. Asheville Citizen-Times
Garbage To Gas To Arts. Dec/Jan 2011. The Appalachian Voice Online
Energy park: Art, economy. December 11, 2011. Asheville Citizen-Times
Altamont Drills at Green Energy Park. December 4, 2011. Asheville Citizen-Times
New wells tap more landfill gas at GEP. November 22, 2011. Macon County News
Spotlight feature on the National Endowment for the Arts Facebook page on October 27, 2011.
JCGEP uses methane gas to power facility. August 18, 2011. Macon County News
Jackson County Green Energy Park gets its day in the sun. August 10, 2010. Smoky Mountain News
North Carolina Artisans Thrive on Landfill Energy. June 7, 2010. Tenthmil.com
Artisans put methane to work March 1, 2010. WasteRecyclingNews.com
Dillsboro Green Energy Park tapped for art school partnership October 5, 2009. The Reporter: Western Carolina University Faculty & Staff News
Energy park debuts 1st foundry fueled by trash August 11, 2009. Asheville Citizen Times
Burtner named tenant at GEP's blacksmithing village December 18, 2008. The Sylva Herald
Tackling an energy shortage: Putting landfill gas to work October 15, 2008. Waste Handling Equipment News
The Fire Inside: Landfills used to be the end of the line for trash, but a growing movement is turning waste into power. August 2008. WNC Magazine
Mountain Lovers Love Jackson County, NC June 27, 2008. Banks News TODAY
Waste vegetable oil wanted for Jackson County school buses June 26, 2008. Macon County News
County is seeking waste vegetable oil donors for biofuel production June 26, 2008. The Sylva Herald
Waste vegetable oil wanted for school bus fuel June 25, 2008. Smoky Mountain News
Jackson County Green Energy Park to dedicate greenhouses to memory of Coy Melton May 15, 2008. Macon County News
Blacksmith classes forge a green path January 13, 2008. Asheville Citizen Times
Forging Ahead December 19, 2007. Smoky Mountain News
Science students study in Highlands for semester October 24, 2007. Smoky Mountain News
Jackson’s Green Energy Park undergoes expansion September 5, 2007. Smoky Mountain News
Senator, congressman visit county August 23, 2007. The Sylva Herald
Landing jobs should be part of the mix April 11, 2007 Smoky Mountain News
The Recycle of Life. Artwork and environmental conciousness sprout from a former garbage dump. March/April 2007. WNC Magazine
Methane-fueled blacksmithing forge opens in Dillsboro January 11, 2007. Asheville Citizen-Times
Green Energy Park earns EPA Recognition January 10, 2007. Smoky Mountain News
Green gas heavy metal January 1, 2007. Smoky Mountain News
The Green Scene: Bringing Biofuels to Jackson County January 3, 2006. Mountain Xpress
EPA awards Jackson County Green Energy Park December 21, 2006. Macon County News
Jackson County celebrates opening of Green Energy Park October 11, 2006. Smoky Mountain News
Jackson Green Energy Park Opens October 4, 2006. Smoky Mountain News
The Green Scene: One Man's Trash September 27, 2006. Mountain Xpress
Smoky Mountain Biofuels Approved For ‘Green’ Energy Park March 23, 2006. The Sylva Herald
Jackson County Taking the Lead In Alternative Energy March 9, 2006. Macon County News
Landfill Methane As An Alternative Source of Power February 1, 2006. National Public Radio (NPR)
RADIO PODCAST
Stories of Mountain Folk. Interviewed by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia. January 2009.
VIDEOS
Spotlight on Two JCGEP Artists April 20, 2015
Open House/Artist Competition April 11, 2015
Overview of JCGEP 2012
JCGEP Youth Arts Festival September, 2010
JCGEP Ramping Up the Rural Economy 2010
WCU/Green Energy Park Metal Pour August 2, 2009
JCGEP Biodesel June 25, 2008
JCGEP Visited by NC Senator Richard Burr August 23, 2007
