Green Alliance: In nearly every facet of American business, industry and life, the move is on to be better stewards of our environment and our natural resources. The BWCC can assist in these efforts by being a strategic partner with its member businesses in a variety of ways, to include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Link businesses together that are directly involved in environmentally-related businesses, industries, consulting practices, etc. Establish and promote these businesses through a subset in the directory, in profiles, special articles, etc. Encourage other, similar businesses to join the BWCC, and collectively promote the important work done by these companies, industries and organizations.
- Focus on significant environmental projects in the region in which these industries are involved, concurrently spotlighting the BWCC as a strategic ally in these initiatives. An example would be the “Greening of the Capitol,” an initiative of the U. S. Speaker of the House of Representatives in which a BWCC member has played a significant role.
- Provide white papers and other advance documents or indications as to how businesses will be impacted by environmentally-related laws and regulations. For example, federal, state and local funding has or will require LEED-certified [Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (United States Green Building Council)] construction. It may be that future RFPs will require certifications for a company’s environmental responsibility, with validations required to successfully compete for business opportunities.
- Develop a resource guide to environmental companies in the Corridor. Such a resource should be Internet-based, perhaps develop through a Google Mash-Up that allows for spatial recognition and networking.
We do not want to duplicate existing structures or initiatives, and we also want to link our governmental and non-profit organizations in this process. In fact, it may be that some agencies---the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) and the National Security Agency (NSA) can provide an opportunity to network environmental companies as they showcase what is taking place within their operational and research areas.
Join with us as we embark on these and other initiatives in development of our Green Alliance.