Are you a local business looking for your “green” recognition?

>photo from mpknecht on Flickr! While the title suggests a 3 a.m. infomercial, the premise is far from bogus. Announced in the recent Downtown Spokane newsletter, “the City of Spokane is launching a recognition and certification program for businesses which have adopted sustainable management practices of their assets, resources, and technology.” Businesses whose “green” or sustainable efforts are often overlooked will have the opportunity to be recognized via the City’s Business & Development Services Department, which developed the SMART Recognition program; SMART for Sustainable Management of Assets, Resources, and Technology. Businesses have until 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, to apply for the recognition. Details and application material can be found at the City’s website at DevelopmentSpokane.org . “When we asked businesses what we could do to encourage them to adopt these practices, they told us that they needed help marketing their commitment to sustainability to their customers,” Mayor Mary Verner said in the newsletter. “More and more people want to do business with companies that share their commitment to protecting the environment and resources.” Businesses can apply to be recognized at either a “participant” or “certified” level in a variety of categories, including energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, renewable energy, water conservation, green building, transportation/commute trip reduction, and pollution prevention.