Sustainable Business Resources
Northampton intends to build a strong local economy and a community for the future by promoting local business development and integrating sustainable business practices. These resources can help Northampton residents and businesses to support local businesses and help businesses build on our local assets of creativity, ingenuity, innovation, and independent business entrepreneurship to achieve long-term sustainability.
Buy Local, Buy Fair Consumer and Business to Business Organizations
See the Buy Local pages of the Northampton Economic Development website for buy local/buy fair trade organizations as well as consumer and business to business listings. Listings include Northampton, Pioneer Valley, Western MA, and MA. Buy Local/Buy Fair
Resources for Sustainable Business Practices
Center for Ecological Technology
CET helps private business and farms contribute to their communities by becoming more environmentally and economically sustainable. CET offers programs, workshops and individualized consultation tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses and farms in Western Massachusetts around energy conservation, waste management, recycling, composting, and more.
Northampton Office
320 Riverside Drive - 1A
Florence, MA 01062
tel: (413) 586-7350
fax: (413) 586-7351
Energy Efficiency Programs
See the energy efficiency programs listed in the Financing Resources section of the Economic Development website.
Green Northampton
Green Northampton offers free trash audits for businesses to advise on reducing the waste stream and recycling.
Contact:
info@GREENnorthampton.org
Massachusetts Materials Exchange
The Massachusetts Materials Exchange connects businesses with reusable materials with others that can use them. Materials commonly listed in the database include: manufacturer's byproducts, surplus stock, scrap and overrun material, used equipment, used office furnishings, packaging and transport materials. The Materials Exchange can help you:
* Capture the value of byproducts and surplus materials
* Reduce disposal costs
* Reduce purchasing costs
* Reduce storage and staff costs
* Reduce waste, save landfill space and resources
* Enhance the environmental image of your company
* Meet corporate community/environmental goals
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
MTC is the state's leading economic development agency for clean energy and the innovation economy. Learn more about clean energy, green buildings, technology, and innovation. MTC offers grants for green building design, funding for renewable energy projects, and other industry support.
Greenbiz.com
Business resources, toolbox, news articles, columns, research on all aspects of sustainable business practices.
Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization. RMI fosters the efficient and restorative use of resources to make the world secure, just, prosperous, and life-sustaining. A large and growing part of RMI's work is now concerned with guiding businesses in the transition to more sustainable and restorative practices, processes, and products through the principles of natural capitalism.
Green Jobs
Green Careers Coaching and Training
The Franklin Hampshire Regional Employment Board offers individual coaching to help you get training, find a job, or start a career in renewable energy and green construction. Training courses are offered at Greenfield Community College. Tuition assistance is available. For more information Contact:
Alex Risley Schroeder
Green Careers Coach
Franklin Hampshire Regional Employment Board
413-774-4361 x 320
Sustainability Networks
Pioneer Valley Sustainable Development Network
Regional network of businesses, institutions, and planning agencies working to coordinate sustainability efforts in the Pioneer Valley region.
Western Mass Green Consortium
A membership organization of businesses, organizations, educators, and individuals working to promote sustainable business practices in Western Massachusetts.