Montgomery County Marks Two Year Anniversary of Green Business Certification Program

Montgomery County is celebrating the two year anniversary of the Green Business Certification Program, launched through a partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and Montgomery College. Thirty-five diverse organizations have been certified so far, including a bank, IT consultant, religious institution, beverage company, orthodontist, furniture company, international hotel chain, law firm, accounting firms, non-profit organizations, an architect, engineering firm and defense contractor.

The Green Business Certification Program helps County businesses by providing them with a “greenprint” for introducing sustainability into their day-to-day operations and supply chain decisions. Organizations that embrace green practices enhance environmental quality while promoting economic development.

“Montgomery County is doing its part to spark the transition to a sustainable and green future through the Green Business Certification Program,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. “Businesses are doing their part by pursuing the Green Business Certification -- and I thank these leaders for their vision. They recognize that from an economic standpoint, environmental stewardship and innovation are becoming key drivers of financial success. I hope their example will inspire many other organizations in the County to become certified green businesses.”

To be a certified green business, an organization must demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation of energy and water, carbon footprint reduction, waste reduction and recycling and environmentally responsible purchasing.

“We embrace sustainable business practices because they provide our members a competitive advantage,” said Gigi Godwin, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. “Moreover, companies recognize that aligning values, such as environmental stewardship, with business operations helps to reduce risk and attract and retain the best and the brightest. We are delighted to be a partner in the Green Business Certification Program.”

Montgomery College provides on-going courses to assist businesses in “going green” so they can get certified. While not required for certification, many businesses have found the courses to be extremely helpful in getting started.

“We understand that businesses are investing significant time in going green,” said Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President of Montgomery College. “Green Business Certification can also open up new business opportunities. The College helps to empower businesses by providing them with a clear path forward so that businesses taking our courses can pursue certification with confidence.”

Certified green businesses are recognized for their environmental stewardship, are listed in the County’s online Green Business Directory and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce website, have use of the program logo, benefit from various MCCC outreach efforts, and may be profiled on the County’s cable television programming. Previous programs have highlighted the efforts of Marriott International, Honest Tea, MCCC, Hallman Orthodontics, Reznick Group and Clean Currents.

Businesses and organizations can benefit from the Green Business Certification Program regardless of their size, sector or where they are in their sustainability journey. The reasons organizations have given for becoming certified include enhancing their marketing opportunities, distinguishing themselves from competitors, cutting waste, saving money or responding to employee and consumer demands. For certified green business profiles and testimonials, please see below.

For more information about the Green Business Certification Program, go to the website. For information about Montgomery College’s Green Business Certification Crash Course, as well as other sustainability courses, go to “Green Training Programs” in their Schedule of Noncredit Classes.

Montgomery County Certified Green Businesses Featured in Special Publication

Twelve of Montgomery County Certified Green Businesses were featured in The Gazette of Politics and Business' first Gone Green special publication profiling Maryland businesses greening their operations.

New "Green Business" Ride On Bus Ad Campaign Unveiled

Prior to the June 9 Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (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 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.  

Montgomery County Continues Green Business Push

June 10, 2010 - By Matt Bush

RideOn buses in Montgomery County, Maryland are already "painted" green. Now, they will start imploring businesses to "go" green.

The county runs a green business certification program. 20 firms have already been certified by revising their businesses practices, such as purchasing, record keeping, and power usage. County leaders would like to see that number increase, so advertisements will soon start covering the sides of RideOn buses, asking businesses to "go green."

Doing so makes good business sense says Gigi Godwin, the president of the county chamber of commerce, since many businesses in the county do work with either the federal government or government contractors.

"Large employers, and large companies, are greening their supply chains. They are changing how they do business. And a big part of that is going to be how they procure their goods and services," says Godwin.

The 20 businesses that have received the certification range in size from the Marriott hotel chain to PEPCO's customer service center to an orthodontist's office.

To view the original article and listen to the radio spot, click here.

New Ride On Bus Ad Campaign Highlighting First ‘Green Certified’ Companies

Prior to tonight’s Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) 51st Annual Dinner, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Council President Nancy Floreen and Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President Gigi Godwin will showcase a new Ride On bus ad campaign that will promote the Green Business Certification Program and highlight the first 20 companies and organizations to become certified. The new bus ad campaign aims to encourage more companies to “get on board” the green business movement by getting certified and featured in future promotions. Joining the kick-off will be business leaders from the first certified companies and members of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.

At the dinner, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will receive the MCCC Partner of the Year Award, which will be accepted by DEP Director Robert G. Hoyt. DEP is receiving the award for the Green Business Certification Program, which prepares businesses to succeed in the new, green economy. The award is given to “an organization that works in partnership with MCCC to propel the Chamber’s mission forward.”   

For the complete press release, click here.