While cities are eager to encourage businesses to go green, many government incentive programs are not designed with small businesses in mind.
"As I have studied the various ordinances and incentives for going "green" around the United States, I have found that many of the benefits for sustainable development primarily go to the larger developer. These include a rebate of impact fees or abatement of property taxes-incentives that directly benefit mostly large companies who are developing their own facilities.
But what about the small businesses? Take Central Florida, for example, where I live and work: Approximately 85% of the businesses in the greater Orlando area are small businesses with 15 or fewer employees that lease space of less than 15,000 sf. These small businesses usually are not in any position to benefit from the green incentives typically offered by municipalities for development.
We all hear in the news the ways large corporations are embracing the green movement. They often lead the pack with new trends-sustainability, for instance-and then it filters down to smaller businesses. However, a number of my small business clients are hesitant to incorporate green practices, much less start a building from scratch with "green" in mind. They find it too costly to jump on board the green bandwagon."
FULL STORY: Small Shops Not on the Green Bandwagon
‘Passive House’ Standard Gaining Ground in Multifamily Housing
Developers in Chicago and around the country are taking notice of a design standard that encourages energy efficiency and sustainable materials.
Boston Eliminates Fossil Fuels in New City-Owned Buildings
Mayor Michelle Wu said the new rule will help boost demand for green materials and create new jobs in the green building sector.
Montgomery County To Require Decarbonized New Construction
Under a new bill, most new buildings will be banned from using natural gas in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift to all-electric power.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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