Chicago's New 'Green Exchange'

I absolutely had to post about this topic as soon as I read the article. Chicago is opening the country's FIRST commercial real estate development designed for the advancement of green businesses and bringing together green organizations under one roof. With the new rise of this business center, it will help transform the city into the height of sustainability awareness. The new business center's mission is to further the new green economy, serving people, planet and profit. Phil Baugh, director of leasing for the project states, "We set out to design Green Exchange to be a physical venue and a [community] that would advance green businesses and the green community." This is creating a business community within Chicago that is focused on sustainability and awareness.

Several businesses have already teamed up with Green Exchange in order to spread community awareness regarding sustainability and the benefit from the concentration of like-minded businesses. Green Exchange will be offering such services as in-house marketing, bike programs, and car sharing (from companies such as: Consolidated Printing, Greenmaker Supply, Distant Village Packaging, MeGoGreen, YRG and Evergreen Oak Electric Studios). This marks a huge leap for Chicago in the growing need for sustainability. "This not only makes good common sense, it makes for good business," states Marilyn Jones, a prospective Green Exchange tenant. The four-story 250,000 sq. ft. building is to be in accordance with the LEED standards and hopes to achieve Platinum certification. It's main goal is to create an epicenter for green businesses and organizations in the Midwest U.S., by providing significant retail presence, showroom galleries, office space and more. "The collaboration of businesses at Green Exchange will not only foster the success of each company, it will also amplify the common goal of expanding the green marketplace. Individually it is possible to make a difference, but together, the possibilities are unlimited," remarks Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun of Good Food Organics. The new green scene can be found here: http://www.greenexchange.com/ with more details about it. I can't wait until this new trend takes hold and there are more Green Exchanges built around the country.