New program encourages energy-efficiency lending
Posted on 05. Aug, 2010 by ryanwynne in News
The Bellingham Business Journal
Whatcom County’s Community Energy Challenge is the first in Washington state and one of the first in the nation to use stimulus funds to establish a system that allows home and business owners to get loans for energy efficiency projects using an innovative loan loss reserve program (LLR).
While encouraging banks to maintain [...]
County food producers limited by processing barriers
Posted on 12. Jul, 2010 by Isaac Bonnell in Features
Local food processors face many challenges. They are in competition with large-scale producers, whose abundance of resources allow them to offer prices small-scale producers can’t. But that’s not their only obstacle: Whacom County food growers have limited access to facilities where they can process the fruits of their labor.
Sustainable Connections brings in new members
Posted on 09. Jul, 2010 by ryanwynne in People
The Bellingham Business Journal
The following businesses recently joined Sustainable Connections’ community of businesses:
Builders Alliance, Greenleaf Bookkeeping & Accounting Services, Il Caffe Rifugio, Turk’s Head, Pacific Paint & Decorating, Donette Studio, Roger Jobs Motors, Inc., ReInnovations Custom Remodeling, GreenCoast Carpentry, Marianne’s House, Home Builders Institute, Coking.com Inc. and Banner Bank.
Climate plan could boost state economy by billions
Posted on 08. Jul, 2010 by ryanwynne in News
The Bellingham Business Journal
An independent economic analysis indicates that Washington’s economy would grow by $3.3 billion and add 19,300 jobs if a regional plan to mitigate climate change and build a clean-energy economy goes into effect as designed starting in 2012.
“Here in Washington, we are already reaping the rewards of the early actions we have [...]
Lynden manure digester breaks ground
Posted on 22. Jun, 2010 by Isaac Bonnell in News
By Isaac Bonnell
Whatcom County’s second manure digester broke ground June 28 at 8421 Bob Hall Road in Lynden.
The $3.9 million project will take the manure from 2,000 nearby dairy cows and use the methane extracted from the manure to produce about 6 million killowatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to power 500 homes.
What makes this [...]
Video: Inspiration Farm & Gossamer Glass Studios
Posted on 09. Jun, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Features
Brian Kerkvliet and his family run Inspiration Farm, a multi-faceted business which includes Gossamer Glass Studios and also teaches sustainable living techniques through various classes.
Hartrich: 10 green building incentives in 2010
Posted on 04. Jun, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Opinions
By Nick Hartrich, Green Building & Smart Growth program manager for Sustainable Connections
Sustainable Connections members in the design and construction industry across Whatcom County have accomplished a great deal in the past several years which has placed us in a national leadership position for green projects for a community our size.
As I reported in the [...]
Lightbulb: Businesses cut costs, increase energy efficiency
Posted on 01. Jun, 2010 by ryanwynne in Features
At a time when most businesses are trying to cut costs, it may not seem feasible for them to implement changes to reduce energy use, but just the opposite could be true. From the federal government to local nonprofits to utility companies, organizations at all ends of the spectrum are offering financial assistance to businesses wanting to reduce power use, and those reductions mean fewer costs.
Tax waiver, renewable energy grant applications due June 30
Posted on 27. May, 2010 by ryanwynne in News
The Bellingham Business Journal
June 30 marks the cutoff for businesses to apply for two funding-assistance measures: Rural Energy for America Program grants, and tax deferrals and waivers offered through the Sales & Use Tax Deferral/Waiver Program.
As of July 1, Whatcom County businesses will no longer be eligible to apply for the Sales & Use Tax [...]
Local, state agencies educate businesses on pollution risks
Posted on 24. May, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Tips
When toxic chemicals get into the water, it’s never a good thing. From the April diesel fuel spill in Squalicum Marina to the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, accidents happen and businesses need to be educated on their role in water pollution.
