How do I go about finding the best ways to reduce energy usage at my business? Do green cleaning products work as well as traditional brands? Are there green business practices that can actually save my business money?
 
These are among the types of questions that can get answered at the Sonoma Valley Green Business Network, a new web-based community forum for businesses in all shades of green.
 
The Green Business Network was developed by the Sonoma Valley Economic Development Partnership based on suggestions from local businesses that they need a way to learn from each other rather than "reinventing the wheel".
 
The goal of the Green Business Network is to facilitate business-to-business sharing of information and ideas, and provide opportunities for collaboration and networking.   The Partnership encourages businesses who have achieved recognition under its Sonoma Valley Green Business Recognition program to communicate about what they've learned with other local businesses who may be just getting started.
 
Included are message boards for topics on energy, water, waste, green building, and involving your business' stakeholders.  There's a "Latest & Greatest" board for information about upcoming green business events in the area, networking opportunities, noteworthy finds, kudos, and favorite money-saving ideas.  The "Green B2B Resource Directory" board is a place for businesses to share information about products and services.

The Green Business Network is hosted by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by PG&E.

Posted:  9/18/08.