Grandfather Mountain Certified Green, Watauga Green Plan Seeks New Clients

Story by Corinne Saunders

“A big part of [the Watauga Green Business Plan] is respecting this wonderful area we’re in and preserving the heritage of this area,” said Bryan Johnson, a Plan co-coordinator.

“We strongly encourage businesses to look into the program and consider being certified, and also potentially recommending the program to colleagues and community members,” he added.

The Watauga Green Business Plan was created as a joint initiative of the Watauga County Economic Development Commission and the ASU Energy Center to encourage sustainable business practices.

Each business participating in the plan will receive three benefits from its involvement: increased marketability, reduction of environmental impact and increased profitability, said co-coordinator Anna Erwin.

Becoming certified green bolsters marketability by providing “increased visibility of the business as being environmentally responsible and socially conscious,” Johnson said.

As residents of the county become aware of the business’ green state, it will attract new customers and partnerships, he added.

The green business practices promote energy efficiency and waste reduction, among other aims that reduce environmental impact.

The first two benefits together increase a business’ profitability, as do the tax incentives and renewable energy tax rebates that are available for efficiency upgrades and renewable energy systems.

To be considered for certification with the Plan, a business must first meet two prerequisites: it must already recycle and it must have completed an energy audit within the past five years.

From there, each business must pay a fee that starts at $100 and is based on the company’s number of employees. Businesses just getting started can be awarded provisional certification for up to one year. During this time, the business commits to utilize best practices and to meet minimum implementation goals.

Certification is valid for two years, and involves an excellence ranking of one, three or five stars, based upon the point system related to a business’ level of performance.

Businesses in Blowing Rock began to be certified with the Green Plan during the 2007-2008 school year, and businesses in Boone began to be certified in fall 2008. Approximately 12 businesses are currently certified, with more on the way, Erwin said.

Grandfather Mountain is the most recent business to join the Watauga Green Business Plan.

Green Grandfather

Grandfather Mountain has solar thermal panels installed on the roof of the Fudge Shop that heat water and also contribute radiant heat for the building, Erwin said.

The bamboo floors in the Fudge Shop earned Grandfather points because bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource. The use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last 10 times longer and consume one-quarter the energy that incandescent bulbs do, helped earn points as well.

All food at Mildred’s Grill—the restaurant in the nature museum—is served on biodegradable, compostable products, and this contributes to waste reduction, Erwin said.

Grandfather has an energy-efficient air circulation system that reduces stratification of the air—preventing the cool air from all sinking and all warm air from rising to form a separate upper layer, Johnson added.

Grandfather also helps preserve the region’s cultural identity by providing outreach about the natural environment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It received three stars of excellence.

Become a Watauga Green Business

“[Certification] will be a good thing not only for the business but also for community members and the local environment,” Johnson said.

To see the criteria for becoming certified with the Watauga Green Business Plan or for more information about the plan itself, click to www.greenbusinessplan.com.

For businesses interested in becoming certified green, call Anna Erwin at 910-232-1484 or Bryan Johnson at 828-270-6386.