Featured Item:  Green Business Certification Program

      Almost a year ago, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched the county Green Business Certification Program.  This local step toward a green economy is off to a strong start with 22 county business certified and another four applications pending.  Conservation Montgomery interviewed Doug Weisburger, who manages this program for the county.

     "This program is all about connecting the assets in a community so that it's mutually beneficial to businesses, residents, the civic community, government and the goals of the environmental community," said Weisburger.  "Think of it as a mosaic.  Each of us has a piece of the mosaic related to sustainability."

     The county DEP has worked with members of the Bethesda Green nonprofit in the early stages of the program.  A number of businesses affiliated with Bethesda Green are now certified.  DEP partners with Montgomery College and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce to conduct training sessions to coach businesses through the application process. 

     After completing an online application and paying a small fee, the next step is an onsite verification held by a consultant contracted by DEP.  Approved businesses get a certificate and a window emblem to display so customers or clients will  know that they are patronizing a county-certified green business.  Conservation Montgomery will support the program by coaching small businesses on a case-by-case basis to help them with questions about sustainability and the application process.  We will also offer suggestions for templates for some of the employee communications requirements listed in the application.  DEP can set up a three-hour crash course for an individual business to learn how to become certified. Or DEP can offer a more detailed course for a group of businesses. 

    "This program can become a complement to the county's new Environmental Site Design (ESD) legislation," said Conservation Montgomery Board member Diane Cameron.  "ESD presents a lot of interesting opportunities to build a green economy."

     To apply or learn more about the Green Business Certification Program, please see the link at the top of the  www.ConservationMontgomery.org  homepage.  A directory of businesses that are already certified is also on the Green Business Certification website.