Centennial Green Biz

As a way for area businesses to get involved with the Glacier National Park Centennial, centennial coordinator Kass Hardy and Will Hammerquist of the National Parks Conservation Association established the Glacier Centennial Green Business Program.

"The green business program is designed to highlight the designation of a climate-friendly park," Hardy said. "It's a neat way to engage businesses in the area to learn what it means to reduce impact."

The program features an application available at www.glaciercentennial.org, where businesses can learn about 15 different practices to reduce waste and support a healthy Glacier and Montana environment.

"All the materials they need are right there in the application," Hardy said. "That's the success of the program."

The 50 businesses that have signed up already include Montana Coffee Traders, Glacier Park Inc., North Fork Hostel, Belton Chalet, Imagine Health and Hungry Horse Liquor. The city of Whitefish has joined the program as a green city.

Businesses are asked to commit to seven of 15 suggested green business practices. Some of the practices are purchasing Energy Star appliances, recycling office materials, switching to 100 percent recycled paper products, evaluating facilities to seal air leaks, installing a programmable thermostat, purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles for company cars and buying local produce.

Additionally, the businesses are eligible for tax incentives.

When the businesses finish their applications and make the changes, they receive window decals and website badges.

"We suggest that it saves money on a monthly basis and reduces environmental impact," Hardy said. "This is a neat way through teamwork and collective action to see what groups can do."

To learn more about the program or to apply to become a green business, visit https://www.glaciercentennial.org/greenbusiness.html