Welcome to The Green Chamber of Commerce

The Green Chamber of Commerce mission is to build an organization of business leaders and individuals who are committed to Preserving the planet, Going, Being and Staying Green.

Businesses join forces to go green

Keila Torres Ocasio, Staff Writer, Published 10:10 p.m., Monday, April 18, 2011

BRIDGEPORT -- Going green became a little bit easier for the region's businesses Monday with the launch of the Green Chamber of Commerce, an organization committed to helping business leaders and individuals take the steps toward preserving the planet.

The organization, founded by Bridgeport resident Shante Hanks, will serve as a network and coalition for businesses interested connecting with other green businesses.

Hanks launched GCC, which she hopes will become a national movement, in Bridgeport because of Mayor Bill Finch's sustainability efforts and his commitment to everything green.

"In terms of businesses, there is no overarching (regional)
organization to foster an emphasis on going green," said Hanks, standing
in Italian restaurant Amici Miei's indoor courtyard. The space, inside
the Citytrust building downtown, allowed sun rays streaming through the
skylight to be the launch party's sole light source. Guests were given
bamboo stalks to take home.

Robert Wall, director of energy marketing initiatives with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, said that by going green, businesses can save money, control operating costs, do something good for the environment and contribute to a better quality of life for everyone.

The idea for GCC came to Hanks several years ago when she served on Housatonic Community College's steering committee for construction of Beacon Hall, which opened in 2008.

Conserving energy inside the large building was a must for the
community college, said Hanks, who in 2008 also took part in
Bridgeport's BGreen 2020 marketing and education committee after Finch
issued an executive order requiring the city to "go green."

"I was just amazed at how much energy we use," she said. "I realized
if each and every one of us does something, it can make a difference.
This is something that has to happen. If we keep going the way we're
going, we're going to need two planet earths by the year 2030."

The GCC will offer a green certification program that will assess
whether a business is taking 10 steps the group has identified as
necessary to the sustainability effort and help them accomplish the
steps, which include installing censors for lighting, ensuring computers
are powered down when not in use and assessing recycling practices.

For more information, visit thegreenchamberofcommerce.org. Annual
membership fees range from $75 for individuals to $450 for businesses
with 50 or more employees.

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