Green Business News & Events

Green Business Certification in the News!  2/13/2012

Benefit Corporation Webinar - April 7

What: An informational webinar for Montgomery County businesses and professional service providers about Maryland’s Benefit Corporation legislation, enacted during the 2010 General Assembly Session.

What is a Benefit Corporation?
A new class of corporation that:
1. Creates a material positive impact on society and the environment
2. Redefines fiduciary duty to include non-financial interests in decision-making
3. Reports on its overall social and environmental performance using recognized, third party standards

When: Thursday, April 7, 2011 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Format:  Panel discussion and Q&A

Sponsoring Partners:

• Montgomery County Department of Economic Development
• Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
• Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
• Rockville Economic Development, Inc./Rockville Women’s Business Center
• Change Matters

Speakers:

• Laura Jordan, Esquire, partner, The Capital Law Firm, PLLC 
• John Shepley, Vice President and Co-Owner, Emory Knoll Farms, one of the first companies in Maryland to incorporate as a Benefit Corporation
• Ida Cheiman, Principal and Creative Director of Substance 151 a strategic brand communications firm
• Amy Kincaid, Change Matters

To register for the meeting (Now from mobile devices!) go to: https://montgomerycountymd.webex.com/montgomerycountymd/j.php?ED=168014422&UID=1209161622&PW=NZTUwNmE3Yzgx&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
1. If requested, enter your name and email address.
2. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: DEDmeeting1
3. Click "Join".

To join the audio conference only:
Call the number below and enter the access code.
Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-866-469-3239
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-650-429-3300
Access code: 572 588 235

To add this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link:
https://montgomerycountymd.webex.com/montgomerycountymd/j.php?ED=168014422&UID=1209161622&ICS=MI&LD=1&RD=2&ST=1&SHA2=D-RYwbG1jkRCjiWrT49K51BsUuJrEvr1e-k2bQmYWbU=&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
 

Apply Now for Montgomery County Commercial/Multi-Family Energy-Efficiency Rebate Program

The Commercial/Multi-Family Rebate Program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, helps businesses, non-profit, faith based organizations and multi-family communities overcome the financial barriers to implementing improvements that can save energy and reduce operating costs.  Organizations may apply for up to 50% of project costs or $75,000, whichever is less.  Funding can be used for a wide variety of energy-efficiency building improvements and equipment.  Funding will be awarded on the merit of the proposed project and is available in two rounds due April 15th and May 15th respectively. 

Program details can be found at www.mcenergyfunding.com. Applications will be accepted in two rounds, Round 1 applications are due on April 15 and Round 2 applications are due on May 15.   

County Report Features Green-Certified Businesses   

"County Report This Week", a television show that airs on County Cable Montgomery and several other local cable stations, highlighted the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s role as a green-certified business and as a partner with the County in creating the certification program.

Watch the Green Biz Chamber of Commerce Video

Watch Additional Features on More Montgomery County Green-Certified Businesses:

• Hallman Orthodontics
• Honest Tea
• Marriott International
• Reznick Group

08/06/10
Green Business Crash Course in ‘What to Watch This Week’

07/29/10
GSA to vendors: Go green or else

07/29/10
Washington Briefs: Agencies may track contractors’ carbon emissions

06/25/10
Montgomery County's Leading Role in Greening the Economy Showcased at NACo Conference

06/03/10
Prior to the June 9 MCCC Annual Dinner, MCCC President and CEO Gigi Godwin and other Chamber leaders joined County Executive Ike Leggett and County Council President Nancy Floreen in showcasing a new Ride On bus ad campaign to promote the new Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program. The ad campaign highlights the program’s first 20 green-certified businesses and organizations and encourages more companies to “get on board” the green business movement by getting certified and featured in future promotions.

Watch the Video.

View the full press release for the event.

04/20/10
MCCC is excited to announce that we are now certified through the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program. Here are just a few highlights of changes we've made to our operations:

• Environmental policies and procedures have been created and shared with all staff.
• All copier/printer defaults are set to print double-sided.
• Glass pitchers will replace bottled water for meetings.
• Reusable kitchenware has replaced disposables in the office kitchen.
• A bin of scrap paper has been created for re-use by staff for in-house printing.
• The coffee machine (20 cups) will be placed on a timer rather than remaining on 24 hours.
• Signs have been posted at all light switches to remind staff to turn off when not in use.