Trenton, NJ May 27 2011 - At a meeting held by Sustainable Jersey on May 27^th at the NJ Department of Environment Protection in Trenton, attended by Randy Soloman, the Director of the program and the administrator, Tom O’Toole, several members of the DEP, Green Seal, Inc. and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, it was noted that the Cranford Green Business Program is one of only three Green Business Programs in the State and the only program run by volunteers. Mary Reilly, Green Team Chair, Debra Walker, Green Business Team Chair and Matthew Polsky, Senior Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Enterprise, Fairleigh Dickinson University, who helped to formulate the concept of the Green Business Program in Cranford and State-wide, represented Cranford at the meeting. 

Debra Walker, the Chair and Publicity Director of the Cranford Green Business Program, has been driving this program. Under her leadership, the business applicants apply and sustainability criteria are verified.  Qualified applicants are awarded Green Business Certificates and free publicity to promote their business and their efforts in the local media. Green Businesses are honored at the Township Committee Meetings where their picture is taken with Mayor Daniel J. Aschenbach, Eugene Matics, Presdient, Cranford Chamber of Commerce and Edward O’Malley, Councilman and Liaison to the Green Business Team.  It seems that Cranford's sense of "Community" has enabled the Green team, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Town Council to create a successful partnership to benefit Cranford businesses and the community as a whole.

 
Debra Walker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and Green Business Team Chair said, “I am very proud to be a part of this timely and important program. The Cranford Chamber of Commerce has been an invaluable partner in our efforts.  It is our hope that businesses will continue to strive for environmentally responsible practices, which help the environment, the community and reduce energy costs. ” Mary Reilly, President of Reilly Green Associates and Green Team Captain, said "Cranford's sense of community lends itself to this program.”   Green Business stickers are currently being designed for display in qualified store windows to further promote environmentally responsible business practices. “We hope to support those businesses by making them the businesses of choice for consumers," said Ms. Reilly.

The Green Business Program was started in May, 2010 by Chuck Hoeffler, who worked with the Chamber of Commerce to invite members and non- members to participate. The program

evolved into a partnership between the Cranford Chamber of Commerce and the Green Business Team, who combined their efforts to recruit participating businesses and promote their efforts. The criteria were kept within reachable limits to encourage businesses to join in supporting the town’s efforts.  To date, 16 businesses have qualified for certificates.

Cranford received its Certification as a Sustainable Community in May of 2011, qualifying for a Bronze level Sustainability Certification by achieving 195 out of a possible 550 points as mandated by the Sustainable Jersey Program. The goal of the program was to honor businesses who are voluntarily greening their business, to promote Cranford as a "Certified Sustainable Municipality," and, ultimately to support Cranford businesses.  19 Cranford community programs worked to achieve Sustainability, including: Cranford’s Community Outreach, led by Jerry Steiner and supported by John Mahar, the Community Garden Program led by Greg Spadaro and Cristen Cassavale.  Nelson Dittmar, Director or the Cranford Environmental Commission and President of the State Environmental Commission, Matthew Polsky, and Mary Reilly were prominent advocates of the program who helped Cranford achieve their goals.

If you would like to apply for a Green Business Certificate or would like more information about the Cranford Green Business Team, please contact Debra Walker at debra.walker@cbmoves.com