Who We Serve: Business

The Green Economy offers businesses many opportunities to cut costs, enter new markets and become more competitive in the global marketplace.  Yet many businesses – particularly start-ups and small businesses – have limited access to independent, objective advice and technical assistance needed to sift through these ideas and implement them cost-effectively.

As one of the most experienced, trusted guides to the Green Economy, The Delta Institute provides businesses with credible, independent guidance and supportive services for succeeding in a carbon and resource constrained environment.   Our programs and services are designed to help all sizes and types of businesses, from manufacturing to retail, commercial real estate to affordable housing, healthcare to hospitality and many others. 

Delta is helping these businesses by:

•    Developing markets:   Emerging industries such as renewable energy, alternative fuel vehicles, energy efficiency, green building, green purchasing and many others are creating new markets and opening up new avenues for struggling sectors, such as manufacturing.  Delta is providing hands-on assistance to help new and existing businesses develop products and services, connect with potential customers and suppliers and access financing.  At the same time, Delta is working with states, regions and municipalities to improve the climate for green business and helping them develop plans for supporting sustainable businesses at the local level.

•    Increasing access to capital: With government funding tapering off and private investment difficult to come by, Delta is helping support sustainability initiatives and businesses in emerging green industries by providing direct investment, funding application assistance, low-interest loans and helping develop sustainable business plans.

•    Developing the green workforce: Delta’s technical knowledge and experience in emerging green economy sectors have allowed us to partner with the Chicagoland Green Collar Job Initiative and other nonprofit organizations, as well as colleges and universities, to develop and deliver educational programs to help develop the workforce to meet the sustainability needs of business and industry.

•    Maximizing financial return:  Delta understands that many businesses are looking for help understanding, choosing, and implementing the best opportunities to grow with the Green Economy. Delta’s Green Business Development Center gives small to medium businesses access to essential business tools such as feasibility studies, financial proformas, business and marketing plans and matches green growth sector businesses with affordable real estate in the form of remediated brownfield sites.

•    Reducing risk and avoiding pitfalls: The federal government and a number of states have enacted or are developing various policies and programs designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, large corporations and industry groups are setting voluntary carbon reporting standards up and down the supply chain.  Delta stays abreast of these development and helps businesses anticipate and meet these evolving requirements while benefiting the bottom line through our carbon footprinting, reduction and offsetting program.

•    Building internal capacity:  Building the capacity of business and industry to reach for ever-increasing levels of sustainability is a key to transforming the region into a centerpiece of the Green Economy. That’s why Delta is committed to giving our clients the information, resources and tools to make greening an integral part of their planning and operations.

To explore your green opportunies and find out how Delta Institute can help you, visit our Green Economy Navigator.