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Goal 1: A majority of businesses in the Chequamegon Bay region will have an understanding of the definition of sustainable development and an awareness of the principles of The Natural Step (TNS). - Objective A:
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Develop a business mentoring program to assist area businesses in the development of sustainable business practices in their existing businesses or new business ventures. Actions: - Develop a list of business owners and employees who have already incorporated sustainable practices into their business and are willing to act as mentors to other business owners who are interested in doing likewise.
- Develop and distribute a directory of sustainable business mentors that is readily available to area businesses. (i.e., AFS and Chamber of Commerce websites and other business related websites, as well as a printed version.)
- Provide training to those interested in being mentors.
- Objective B:
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Ensure that area businesses and employees will have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively follow the core principles of TNS and sustainable business practices. Actions: - Acquire and/or develop and distribute informational materials that support the premise that environmentally sound business practices are also economically sound. (For example, renewable energy alternatives and energy conservation decrease expenses for businesses.)
- Develop a TNS Tool Kit for Business and make it available to area businesses.
- Acquire and/or develop and distribute informational materials that provide regional, national and global examples of sustainable business practices that local businesses can incorporate locally.
- Collaborate with Chambers of Commerce and Bayfield and Ashland County Economic Development Corporations to develop an annual Sustainable Business Conference.
- Insure that one-day workshops on sustainable business practices are offered on a regular basis.
- Collaborate with Northland College, WITC, UW-Extension and LCO Community College to develop and implement a "Natural Step for Business" course, seminars and other programs.
- Insure that a TNS course and course fee structure is developed by winter 2007 and offered on an ongoing basis.
- Objective C:
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Design a program whereby Study Circles are taking place within and for businesses in the Chequamegon area. Actions: - Provide training, and consultation on how to create study circles to area businesses that are interested in offering study circles.
- Create and schedule "Train the trainers" workshops to train additional study circle facilitators.
- Annually publish a schedule of Study Circles available to area businesses.
Goal 2: Economic development in the Chequamegon Bay region will integrate business practice, environmental quality, and community connections to create a prosperous economy and healthy ecosystems. - Objective A:
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Promote the adoption of sustainable business practices by assisting area businesses in developing marketing strategies that highlight their sustainable practices. Actions: - Research and establish criteria and annually publish Chequamegon Green Pages (Green Business Directory).
- Encourage participation in the Wisconsin Travel Green program.
- Publish and reward "Best Practices" to highlight area businesses that are taking the lead in adopting new sustainable practices.
- See Goal 2, Objective E, Action d.
Warning Link Unknown - Objective B:
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Provide businesses with the opportunity to collaborate and develop innovative solutions for business development by coordinating the development of Business Innovation study groups. Actions: - Survey local businesses and research area economic data to identify businesses and business owners that are interested in participating in the groups.
- Develop a clear and concise communication plan to effectively inform area businesses on the purpose of the groups and meeting schedules.
- Develop business innovation groups to specifically address the needs of individual business sectors such as; agriculture, forestry, tourism, downtown retail, manufacturing, and business services (accounting, legal, finance, etc.).
- Objective C:
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Businesses in the region will use the Eco-industrial development model -- an approach to economic development that promotes connections within and across industries, as well as interaction and cooperation with the communities where businesses are located. This is an approach that encourages businesses to change inefficient practices and processes that cause wasted energy and resources and fosters an understanding of waste as a useable resource. Actions: - Collaborate with existing economic development organizations to promote the eco-industrial development model and the development of innovative solutions.
- Develop informational materials to support the eco-industrial development philosophy.
- Educate financial institutions for business development and business expansions (commercial and investment banks, revolving loan fund administrators, angel investors and venture capitalists) to understand the principles of TNS and other sustainability initiatives so they may be more supportive of business ventures incorporating the eco-industrial development model.
- Objective D:
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Determine a baseline status for community change by surveying current business practices and attitudes regarding energy use, green products, recycling, etc. Actions: - Develop and conduct surveys of business practices and attitudes regarding resource use and other sustainable practices.
- Utilize data to propose and implement strategies for community change.
- Establish benchmarks to measure progress.
- Develop focus groups with area businesses on topics such as Fair Trade practices, green purchasing, energy conservation techniques, and other topics.
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