Sustainable Business Development Program

The Sustainable Business Development program focuses on expanding business and job opportunities through a cluster approach. We work with companies in the same or similar industries that share common markets and technologies.  This program focuses on growing sustainable industry sectors including—Natural and Organic Foods, Green Building, Reuse and Recycling, Financing Sustainable Business, Biofuels, Renewable Energy, Healthcare, and Natural Products Industries.

The cluster approach to sustainable economic development requires firms to establish communication links with competitors and businesses in similar industries.  This networking activity is proven to help the entire sector grow by stimulating competition and cooperation between firms in the sector, which increases productivity, spurs innovation, and stimulates the formation of new businesses. RI uses multiple strategies to facilitate inner-firm communication. RI organizes business sector meetings to discuss common sustainability challenges and opportunities.  RI establishes and coordinates online communication forums for ongoing networking and the development of collaborative projects that benefit multiple firms in a sector.

Research and Technical Support

RI researches the latest innovations and provides useful information on sustainable practices to sector participants.  RI acts as a hub for disseminating information on implementation strategies, provides tools for measuring and reporting progress. RI staff provides technical assistance helping businesses learn how to conduct sustainability audits, set sustainability goals, implement sustainability plans, develop metrics to measure and report on progress.

Current Programs:

• Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Initiative

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