orr grantees microenterprise workshop green business opportunities for refugees may 16, 2009

ORR Grantees Microenterprise Workshop

Green Business Opportunities for Refugees

May 16, 2009

Green Business, Green Jobs, and the Rural Economy

• New Regional Markets (Place Based, Organic, Health, Efficiency)

• Efficient production• Effective new technologies• Tax incentives and evolving regulation • Rediscovering Tradition• Social and Environmental Stewardship

Really?

• Organic product sales (food and non-food) in US: $24.6 billion in 2008 (17% increase from 2007)

• United Natural Foods (largest natural foods distributor in US) reports steady growth in 2008 and 2009 to date

• Increase in economizing behaviors - associated with sustainability:– thrift stores

– repurposing goods

Green Principles

• Stewardship• Community• Connection• Efficiency• Resource Maximization• Reuse• Repair• Recycling• Health

Green Microenterprise Opportunities

Cost - Savings

New Markets

New Customers

Microenterprise

Development

Going Green - Saving Money

– Goody Goody Diner, St. Louis:• switch lightbulbs, turn off lights and install motion-

sensing lighting• save about $1,300

– Vic's Market grocery store, Sacramento, CA: • improvements to lights and its freezers• save $48,000 a year

New Green Markets

Assess Green Consumer Demand

Identify Recognized Labels

Identify Social Networks

Identify Certifications

Categories of Labels and Certifications: • Government Certifications • Consensus Standards• Independent Private Label Standards• Manufacturer/Industry Standards• Individual Business Marketing Terms

Finding New Green Markets

Find Sectors Going Green

Case Studies: » Sustainable Tourism in Delaware» Hospitals in Maryland» Construction in New York

Green Jobs and Green Business

Find Government Incentives, Tax Credits and Workforce Development Programs Providing

Opportunity for Microenterprise

Two Primary Categories to Explore:

2. Renewable

Energy

Essential Resource: www.dsireusa.org

1.Energy

Efficiency

Green Jobs and Green Business

Case Study:– Maryland Green Jobs Training at Local

Community Colleges– Maryland $5000 Grant for Energy Efficiency

Home Improvements

Key Questions for MED:– What type of microenterprises deliver services

relevant to energy efficiency?– Are these microenterprises aware of available grants?– How can microenterprises market the grants to

potential customers?– What training and certification is required for

microenterprises to deliver services relevant to the grants?

Local Food Connecting Communities

High Tunnel Extended Growing Season

Business Waste to Business Raw Material

Recycline’s Preserve Toothbrush(made from recycled yogurt cups)

Water Pollution Prevention

Perc Free Dry Cleaning

Phosphate Free Detergents

Clean Air and Energy

Resource Reuse

Community Forklift

Energy Efficiency

Pedal Power

Sustainable Packaging

Terracycle

Soil and Land Preservation

Honeywear Baby Bee Sling

Waste to Business Raw Material

Vetrazzo Recycled Glass Countertops

Local Food Economy

Star Hollow Farm

Sustainable Forests

Green Mountain Woodworks

Flexible Solar Panels

• Silicon Solar Inc.

Reallocating Agricultural Waste

• Biomass fuel pellets

Natural Pesticides

• Bug Balancer

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Thank You

Kate Davenport

Program Director

EcoVentures International

Kate@eco-ventures.org

202-667-0802