Green Business Partnership Honors 7 at Annual Awards

Founded and coordinated through the Business Council of Westchester and Westchester County Government, the Green Business Partnership on Tuesday recognized seven of the region’s most innovative and sustainable organizations at its 8th annual awards presentation.

Six of the awards were presented in categories that the Green Business Partnership identifies as part of its certification process, and one award was in honor of the late Charles W. Brown, a visionary green business leader that demonstrated a true commitment to sustainability as founder and CEO of C.W. Brown in Armonk (now LeChase Construction).

“Economic development is about attracting talent,” said Dr. Marsha Gordon, addressing attendees. “And when a business demonstrates that it’s sustainable, and that its leadership cares about the environment, it becomes a more attractive place for young people to work.”

Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins congratulated the award winners and thanked Dr. Gordon, John Ravitz, and GBP Program Directors Dani Glaser and Scott Fernquist for their leadership. “The Green Business Partnership is regarded as a national model for how to effectively engage the business community around sustainability issues, he said. “This program has demonstrated that green business really does make good business sense.”

The Greenburgh Nature Center, a 33-acre nonprofit nature preserve, received the Charles W. Brown, Jr. Sustainability Award for its commitment to best sustainable practices, which is demonstrated in its own operations and in many initiatives designed to educate, train and engage the entire community.

Yonkers Tennis Center, a family-owned tennis venue for players at all skill levels, received the Organizational Commitment Award, for the high standard set by leadership that allowed the business to incorporate sustainable business practices so thoroughly into every aspect of the club.

White Plains Linen in Peekskill, a linen, uniform and specialty chef wear supply company, received the Energy Award, in recognition of its innovative use of steam generated from the Wheelabrator waste-to-energy facility to substantially reduce dependence on oil and gas.

Pell Wealth Partners in Rye Brook, a private wealth advisory practice, received the Waste Management & Green Products Award, for reducing paper and electronic waste and helping the community do the same.

Arc of Westchester, a nonprofit agency headquartered in Hawthorne that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will receive the Transportation Award. The organization significantly reduced carbon emissions by converting to fuel efficient vehicles and adopting “smart driving” techniques.

Teatown Lake Reservation, a 1000-acre nature preserve and education center in Ossining and surrounding towns, received the Land Use Award for its incredible stewardship of the lands in its care and role in educating and engaging the community in nature preservation.

Birdie’s Auto Spa, a mobile appointment-only car wash operating in Westchester and Fairfield counties, received the Water Award for its innovative use of steam to wash cars with less than a gallon of water.

To learn more about the Green Business Partnership, visit www.greenbusinesspartnership.org.