Furman University Receives Grant to Promote Innovative Sustainability Program for Small Businesses
February 21, 2011
GREENVILLE, SC – February 18, 2011 – The Center for Corporate and Professional Development at Furman University has received a $50,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support a new program that will educate and transform small businesses in the area of sustainability practices.
The program, among the first of its kind nationally, is expected to positively impact the financial bottom line of small businesses and their local communities, and help promote a “green” economy in South Carolina.
“The generosity of Bank of America and its assistance in launching the program is another tangible example of its corporate commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices,” said Dr. Brad Bechtold, Furman’s director of Continuing Education (pictured left). “It’s also a wonderful testimony to the ongoing business-education partnership between Bank of America and Furman.”The Center will develop and implement the “Small Business Boot Camp,” a hands-on program that will detail sustainable business practices which can decrease operating costs, increase revenues and build social responsibility.
The program, based upon the “Furman Sustainability Framework for Small Business,” will provide economic, bottom line impact for businesses.
“Environmentally conscious business practices are not just the right thing to do, but they also represent compelling business opportunities for companies,” said Stacy Brandon, Greenville president, Bank of America. “As a global company committed to addressing climate change, the bank is pleased to continue our support of Furman’s sustainability efforts by helping educate local businesses on how to create sustainable business models that are essential to prosper in the 21st century.”
Program topics will include how to develop and maintain “green” facilities, operating processes, and products or services. The program will also provide educational tools for analyzing and reducing energy usage, water consumption and waste creation.
Furman faculty and guest lecturers will facilitate program content and provide ongoing support on projects implemented by participating small businesses. In addition, the participants will be supported by a dedicated web portal providing access to additional content, tools and techniques.The first “Small Business Boot Camp” will be offered in the fall of 2011.
For more information, contact Bechtold at (864) 294-3136 or [email protected], or visit the Center for Corporate and Professional Development website at www.fusbp.com.
