Politicians are promoting the creation of small businesses, and the nation's environmentalists are advocating for reduced waste and energy consumption and increased productivity.
Brunswick Community College is beginning a new series of courses to meet both of these goals.
This month, BCC's Economic and Workforce Development Center is launching a Green Information and Training Center (GITC) tha twill offer courses to inform and train the community in environmental sustainability issues and practices. The first course, which begins this month, will be “REAL Sustainable Ag-Entrepreneurship Business101 for Farmers.”
It will be a hands-on course focusing on the traits of a successful agricultural entrepreneur.
It will also help students identify business opportunities and develop a business strategy that incorporates a “sustainability score card.
”Future courses will include “The Impact of Building to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) on Contractors,” “Solar Installer Training,” and “How to do a Sustainability Audit & Implement Changes.”
“We're at the beginning of a world that is going to be different,” said Marilyn Graham, GITC coordinator. “In the past, tree huggers and businessmen didn't go together, but that's changing.”
Environmental advocacy groups are putting pressure on businesses, government and educational institutions to be more environmentally responsible.
In addition, studies have shown the favorable economic impact of energy-saving initiatives. More meters Graham said BCC is taking a leadership role in promoting this new movement, both through its new course offerings and through changes recently implemented on campus.
“You can't just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk,” said Graham, “and BCC has made a number of changes to do that. ”Golf carts have replaced some vehicles, meters have been installed in every building to measure energy usage, light sensors are now in several rooms, low flow water regulators have been installed, and there is increased use of signs for recycling.
Graham plans to expand the program to involve the community. She is establishing a Community Sustainability Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from schools, county and local municipalities, and businesses to identify the community's training needs.
The group will hold its first meeting Jan. 27 at BCC's Leland location. This will be followed by a “Sustainability Symposium” on March 25, which will be open to residents of Brunswick and the surrounding counties.
Plans include seminars, a Q&A panel discussion and workshops, along with exhibitors from agriculture, industry, manufacturing and business. As Velva Jenkins, assistant vice president for economic and workforce development, put it, “Sustainability developmentis about making better choices as a community or a business leader. The GITC courses have been developed to provide the tools and information to do exactly that.”Ken
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