Red Team Sees Green

APRIL 2007 -- The REACON (Recycling Energy Air Conservation) Team is a collaborative effort between private businesses, municipal and County solid waste divisions, economic development professionals and the communities of San Joaquin County. The Chamber proposes to do this by collaboratively working for regional solutions to challenges facing San Joaquin County and its businesses. San Joaquin County includes the cities of Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, Lodi, Lathrop, Escalon, Ripon, and the unincorporated communities.

Several of the areas which the REACON Team will focus on are: Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ), P³ Stewardship, energy efficiencies, environmental advocacy, green purchasing, air pollution and educational programs. As an outreach program of the Green Team San Joaquin program, the REACON Team will proactively visit with small to medium size businesses to promote cost-saving “green” practices at their place of business.

REACON Team members will consist of five (5) investors. Investors will accompany Chamber staff on site visits once per week (typically on Thursday mornings.) Targeted businesses will be in the City of Stockton and San Joaquin County.

REACON Team will provide information on the Recycling Market Development Zone, Commute Connection, and area programs, energy conservation programs and ways to reduce air pollution. In addition, information on other Chamber programs will be offered as well. The Green Team San Joaquin program REACON Team will proactively work with other Chambers in San Joaquin County to promote cost-saving “green” practices to their members.

P³ Stewardship:  The REACON Team will provide businesses with the “P³ Stewardship” which stands for Policies, Practices and Purchasing Stewardship information. This good faith effort form is to assist businesses to implement green procedures at their place of business which would help the environment. A P³ Stewardship brochure will be given to businesses on each visit. A P³ Stewardship Award has been developed to recognize businesses that engage in green practices and will be acknowledged during the annual Small Business Awards (June 7, 2007 this year) each year.

The goals of the REACON Team are to visit over 150 businesses with less than 20 employees in San Joaquin County each year, to hold three workshops on PG&E Local Government Partnership Program, rebates, incentives and in addition, other green programs will be presented. Solicit and encourage nominations for the P³ Stewardship Award, refer businesses to Pacific Gas & Electric for energy assessments and/or service, outreach to small to medium size businesses on the benefits of having “green” procedures, practices and purchasing at their business.

For more information, please contact Frank J. Ferral at 547-2763