V.2: Sustainable Business Clearinghouse

Provide U.S. companies with a central portal for information on programs and resources which can assist them in enhancing their competitiveness and profitability in environmentally sustainable ways

Other Information:

Commerce’s Sustainable Manufacturing American Regional Tours (SMART) effort involves Assistant Secretary-led, regional manufacturing facility tours across the United States aimed at enhancing awareness of the benefits of sustainable manufacturing practices. Numerous U.S. companies have voiced concern over the lack of visibility that sustainable manufacturing receives nationwide and the lack of information many U.S. manufacturers – particularly small and medium-sized businesses – possess in this field. In order to continue spreading awareness of sustainable manufacturing’s benefits to U.S. global competitiveness and the environment, Commerce held its first round of SMART events in: * Atlanta, Georgia on February 22, 2010, * Columbus, Ohio on October 27, 2009, * Seattle, Washington on July 13, 2009, * Rochester, New York on September 23, 2008, * Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 3, 2008, and * St. Louis, Missouri on July 28, 2008. Commerce created the Sustainable Business Clearinghouse to provide U.S. companies with a central portal for information on programs and resources which can assist them in enhancing their competitiveness and profitability in environmentally sustainable ways. Commerce has started by collecting information on federal programs and resources in this searchable Clearinghouse. It plans to expand the Clearinghouse to include state-level resources, and state government programs or firms that receive state-sponsored services are encouraged to contact Commerce with information on those programs. More information regarding the Sustainable Business Clearinghouse may be found at http://ita-web.ita.doc.gov/sbc/sbc.nsf/pgSearch?OpenPage. Additionally, a list of key federal programs and resources that support sustainable business practices can be found at http://www.trade.gov/competitiveness/sustainablemanufacturing/USG_PRS_Sustainable_ Business.asp. Comments, questions, or information regarding a federal or state government site that should be included in the Clearinghouse may be submitted via e-mail to Sustainability@trade.gov

Stakeholder(s):

• U.S. Companies

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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