It is challenging to run a business in Montgomery County because of regulations, taxes and high rents. This County has a reputation for continually adding fees, changing the rules, or imposing regulations. The perception is out there that we are unfriendly to commercial enterprises. Well, it is time to change that atmosphere, and Green Business Certification Program takes one small step toward doing so.
Consumers are caring more and more about what they are purchasing, and we have many businesses that deserve a great pat on the back for what they are already doing. I am convinced that many Montgomery County companies would do much more if: 1 - they knew how, 2 - knew they would be acknowledged for what they would do, and 3 - knew there would be a bottom-line savings.
So I brought this idea to the Executive – that we craft a way to give our consumers the information on which County businesses are going green and give local companies that employee green practices the promotion and recognition they deserve.
This program will reward those who go the extra mile to protect our climate. I strongly believe that environmentally friendly efforts made by our companies, big and small, should be recognized. Our initiative will have three components: a logo for the certified businesses to display, a County website that will list them so consumers can find them, and promotional practices, such as County press releases, when a company achieves certification.
Our companies have long been known as the gold standard; now they should be recognized for their green standard as well. To learn more, click on the link to the right.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Green Business Certification
Posted by
Councilmember Nancy Floreen
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1 comment:
The only obstacle to this that I've heard is opposition to the built in costs up front.
I'm wondering if there might be some type of optional tax deferral (transfer/property tax combination) that might soften the blow so these units would not cost appreciably more , but might pay the taxes over the subsequent years, the tax offset by energy savings until all the payments have been caught up.
A great many of the green improvements have break-even points that would seem to make this approach plausible. As energy costs go up, the break-even terms would become even shorter.
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