A Green Light from the Mayor’s Office on Green Initiatives
by Lisa Marlene W
hen Naples Mayor John F. Sorey III signed a proc- lamation in April that designated June as Green Business Recognition Month, he set in motion a
cascade of events that were waiting for his signature. The mo- mentum behind the succession of planned events in June, as well as in coming months, was initiated with the introduction of the Green Business Certification program by NPower, part of a free 2012 grant-funded energy outreach campaign now championed by the city of Naples. This flexible approach to being energy- and resource-conscious offers local businesses the chance to gain recognition, save real “green” on operat- ing expenses and win potential customers interested in buy- ing and using local sustainable products and services. As the city of Naples joins forces with local green busi- nesses to pursue being less energy dependent, more energy efficient, less wasteful, more resourceful and more commit- ted to becoming a leading sustainable city, both in the region and across the nation, it does so in pursuit of a vision—be- coming the green jewel of Southwest Florida.
Naples Businesses 4 SMART Energy Utilization “SMART Energy Utilization = Sustainable Monitored, Ap- propriate, Renewable, Technologically advanced is our new initiative, and highlights the most important reasons for a green business certification,” says Majorie Ziff-Levine, owner of You Gotta Go Green
After undergoing a free business energy evaluation from
Florida Power & Light and completing an onsite assessment and evaluation, qualified businesses are certified for a period of two years. Depending on required actions that the cer- tification team identifies in the initial stages of the process, the overall time commitment is moderate. The only costs are energy efficiency improvements and upgrades identified through the evaluation that make financial sense for the busi- ness. These most often provide near-term return on invest- ments that offset initial expenditures and provide economic benefits for years to come. In addition to displaying a Certi- fied Naples Green Business window decal and certificate, green businesses are formally recognized by the city and can use the Certified Naples Green Business logo on their own promotional material.
Recognition of Forward-Thinking Leaders During the first scheduled event on June 5, at 8:30 a.m., in the Naples City Hall Council Chambers, Sorey, who issued a spe- cial invitation to the Naples business community, will recognize certified green businesses within the city limits. “In his invita- tion, Sorey noted that he will take great pleasure in recognizing our forward-thinking leaders and role models for a more energy- efficient and environmentally friendly city, able to be enjoyed by future generations,” says Levine.
30 Collier/Lee Counties
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Cocktail Kick-Off Mixer The event will give the city of Naples green certified busi- nesses an opportunity to share information about benefits and outcomes of going through the green certification pro- cess. It will also give participating business the opportunity to promote their organizations and make connections with like-minded individuals that desire to be part of the Naples Sustainable Business Network.
Naples Sustainable Business Network (NSBN) NSBN is a newly formed group created to connect conscious businesses, organizations and community leaders in the greater Naples area that share a desire to increase efficien- cies and sensible business practices that contribute to a healthy, sustainable, economy and environment. Mixers are scheduled for July 28, August 15, September 19, October 17, November 14 and December 19.
Lunch and Learn Series A Lunch and Learn series of workshops entitled Strategic Ef- ficiency for Sustainable Management, launched in partnership with Naples Green Business Certification program and Build- ing Managers International (BMC) Collier County Chapter, began in May. Additional events are scheduled or June 19, July 31, August 7, August 28 and September 18 and will cover subjects such as Squeezing Efficiencies out of Every System, Basic Photovoltaics, Green by Design, Lighting the Way to the Future and Your Partner in Savings, which includes information on services provided by Florida Power and Light.
Building Managers International
Building Managers International is an organization dedicated to improving the education and professionalism of licensed community association managers in the state of Florida. “As Mayor Sorey and all of us at NPower and You Gotta Go Green! recognize, savvy business people throughout the nation and the world know that tomorrow’s successful busi- nesses are those that are revamping their operations to be more energy efficient and more resourceful today,” notes Levine. With the keen understanding that energy indepen- dence and less reliance on petroleum-based sources of fuel makes good sense for the country and our community, we are excited to see growing numbers of local businesses taking initiative to do their part in setting this transition in motion.
For more information on how to become certified, upcoming green initiatives or the Lunch and Learn series, businesses within the Naples city limits can visit at
NPowerNaples.com, email
greenbiz@NPowerNaples.com or call Dr. Mike Bauer, city of Naples natural resources manager, 239-213-1031. For information on BMI, call Ronda Ward at 239430-2640 or visit
BMIntl.org. See calendar of events.
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