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Department of Ecology News Release - April 16, 2008
08-093
SPOKANE — The Sustainable Local Investments Project (SLIP), is working with Avista Corp. to introduce bank lenders and community development specialists to a custom-designed process for greening Spokane businesses.
The training will be offered free-of-charge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 21, at Avista’s technical training center, E. 1411 Mission Ave., in Spokane.
SLIP is an independent, non-profit organization with board members from the state Department of Ecology (Ecology), the city of Spokane, New Priorities Foundation, Spokane Neighborhood Action Program, Avista, and AmericanWest and Wheatland banks. SLIP formed in 2006 to promote sustainable economic development. The organization participates in Mayor Mary Verner’s sustainability initiative.
Using Portland, Oregon’s highly successful “Natural Step” process, consultant Marsha Willard will introduce the process of applying the basic tenets of sustainable business practices when assessing business plans and deciding what to finance.
Businesses that show commitment and strong promise will be eligible for special SLIP loan processing and on-site, follow-up technical assistance from Ecology, other agencies and educational institutions that are participating.
Willard also will introduce the attendees to a business practices assessment tool, designed for SLIP by Willard’s firm, Axis Performance Advisors. The tool allows interviewers trained at this event to sort the loan applicants for eligibility based on a number of criteria that match up with Spokane’s existing sustainable community indicators.
Avista contributed $6,000 toward funding the training as well as the use of its training facility. New Priorities Foundation contributed $8,000 to develop the screening tool and design the training. These contributions allow SLIP to offer the training free of charge to trainees and to include a hosted lunch on site.
With this contribution, Avista joins other organizations in taking the lead to ensure the future vitality of Spokane’s economy. Jim Wavada, president of the SLIP board of directors represents Ecology on the board. He pointed out that the SLIP project is one of many ways Ecology supports environmentally sustainable business development.
“We do this by combining incentives and technical assistance to demonstrate the economic benefits of sustainability,” Wavada said.
Explaining Avista’s high level of commitment to the SLIP green business concept, Avista’s Bruce Folsom said an essential component of a sustainable business plan is commitment to energy efficiency.
“With our common focus on energy efficiency, Avista and SLIP are both able to help businesses implement important energy savings measures,” Folsom said. “Working with SLIP is a key step in increasing the number of local sustainable businesses and enhancing our community’s long-term livability.”
Susanne Croft, sustainability coordinator with the city of Spokane, said the SLIP project is an excellent example of the new trend toward sustainable investing. Investors and businesses alike are recognizing the boost sustainable business practices give to a company’s long-term financial performance. Croft is vice-president of the SLIP board.
“The city of Spokane wants to do whatever it can to encourage the types of local businesses that our economy will rely on in the future,” Croft said.
For more information on the SLIP training or to register, contact Jim Wavada, 509-329-3545 or e-mail him at, jwav461@ecy.wa.gov. Space for this one-of-a-kind training is limited, so please reserve early. Lunch is provided. Registration is free, courtesy of Avista Corp and New Priorities Foundation of Spokane. ###
Media Contact: Jim Wavada, (509) 329-3545, or e-mail, jwav461@ecy.wa.gov
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