Where green meets business

By Beth Pratt
Small Business

What do ‘green’ and entrepreneurial have in common? One of the fastest growing sectors of business is the emerging green-tech or small clean tech sector.

While much of the focus on the environmental practices of companies have been directed on large corporations, smaller firms, which make up 98 percent of all companies in the U.S., have a key role to play. Although individual small businesses may be small resource users and waste emitters, they cumulatively are a force for both environmental and economic impact.

A year ago I would have considered “Greenies” to be a favorite snack for my doggies.

Today, we’re looking at “Green Es” — or green entrepreneurs — as leading the innovative charge for a new wave of job growth in green industries and the regional workforce.

This is becoming very apparent in the energy-efficiency sector, where new occupations are developing at a rapid pace. Energy-efficient occupations include HVAC mechanics, energy auditors or “energy raters,” construction contractors that specialize in photovoltaic and wind power, project managers who focus on energy-efficient construction and consultants specializing in eco-energy related fields.

According to a recent report from the California Chancellor’s Office Centers of Excellence, 63 percent of all energy sector businesses in the Bay Area have fewer than 25 employees. Nearly 50 percent of these businesses have fewer than 10 employees. Green Es, or environment-focused small businesses, show an average projected growth rate of      44 percent over the next three years.

To be specific, a green firm is an organization that provides products or services aimed at utilizing resources more efficiently, providing renewable resources, lowering greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise minimizing.

But, who is a Green E?

John Bennett of Pioneer Consulting is an excellent example of a green entrepreneur in our county. Bennett is an innovator and engineer who developed and builds Solar Power Teaching Units and curriculum to teach the fundamentals of electricity and solar technology. Bennett is selling his mobile units and curricula throughout the state. We’ve been fortunate in the Napa Valley College Career Technical Education programs to utilize Bennett’s Solar Power Teaching Unit to train high school and middle school students. Bennett’s products are solid and his business model is feasible. He is working on with our Small Business Development Center to help expand his green-growing business.

Napa Valley College, the NVC Career Technical Education programs and our small business development center are providing opportunities for our local Green Es and businesses interested in embracing the green technologies and sustainable business practices. For more information on our green tech training programs, contact me at the NVC Career Technical Education epratt@napavalley.edu. Additional upcoming Green Technology Programs offered at NVC include:

• Napa Valley College Earth Day-Solar Celebration, Saturday, April 25, at the Napa Valley College Campus from 10 a.m. to         2 p.m.

• NVC SBDC Greening Your Business Workshop at the Napa Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday June 3rd from 8-10 a.m. Call the SBDC at 253-3210.

• NVC GIS/GPS instructor training, June 22-26.

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