SE Valley Times

The City of Mesa is taking steps to support small businesses in adopting sustainable practices through its Green Business Certification Program. This initiative offers a self-guided approach, providing hands-on consultation and strategies aimed at reducing environmental impact while achieving cost savings.

"All businesses in Mesa, no matter the size, can benefit from investing in sustainable practices," stated Scott Bouchie, Director of the Environmental and Sustainability Department. He emphasized that even small savings on energy and water can significantly impact profit margins for smaller enterprises.

To further this effort, the City of Mesa is collaborating with Local First Arizona to host an informational workshop. The event will focus on the advantages of green certification, highlighting how waste reduction can lead to financial savings and strengthen customer loyalty. Additionally, it will cover available incentives and funding options for business upgrades.

"We are excited to partner with Mesa to showcase the Green Business Certification Program and guide businesses through the certification process in this workshop," said Nick Shivka, Senior Manager of Sustainable Initiatives. He added that earning green certification helps businesses reduce costs, lessen their environmental footprint, and improve community engagement.

Scheduled for Thursday, March 6th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the free event will be held at Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios (second floor), located at 59 E. 1st St. Due to limited space, advanced registration is necessary. Attendees will enjoy refreshments from one of Mesa's Green Certified businesses and have opportunities to win raffle prizes aimed at promoting cost-saving measures.

For more information or to register: https://localfirstaz.com/events/profiting-from-eco-friendly-initiatives

This workshop aligns with Mesa's Climate Action Plan initiatives by supporting local sustainability efforts.