Diamond Properties has celebrated its designation as Westchester Green Business-Certified as part of the Westchester Green Business Challenge (WGBC) at Grand Prix New York. Jim Diamond was presented with two proclamations. The first, from county executive Rob Astorino's office was presented by William Mooney III, director of economic development, Westchester County; Peter Harkham, majority leader of the board of legislators, district 2; and George Oros, chief of staff for the county executive's office. David Buchwald, state assemblyman, district 93 presented another proclamation from the state assembly. Mayor Michael Cindrich was also in attendance as Diamond Properties was given a green business certificate from WGBC. "Me, personally, and as a company, we care about sustainability," said Diamond, CEO of Diamond Properties. "It makes sense economically and it makes sense for the environment." The WGBC is designed to improve environmental sustainability for businesses throughout the county. It is a public-private partnership between Westchester County government and The Business Council of Westchester, the county's largest business membership association. "The Business Council has been a partner from the beginning of the program in 2009," said Sara James, director of membership for The Business Council of Westchester. "Our mission is to support sustainable economic growth throughout the region." The WGBC has 275 area members, including 18 businesses that signed on to the pilot of WGBC earlier this year. To date three of those businesses including Diamond Properties, The Blue Pig and Reckson, a division of SL Green, have met the criteria to be Westchester Green Business-Certified. "The Westchester Green Business Challenge and Certified programs provide businesses with the tools, expertise and encouragement that they need to successfully integrate sustainable business practices into company operations," said Dani Glaser, founder and CEO of Green Team Spirit (GTS), an organization that helps businesses achieve sustainability goals. Scott Fernqvist, who manages the Westchester Green Business Challenge on behalf of Westchester County government, said the WGBC program is unique because of its holistic approach to sustainability and green business. "We look at all aspects of running a sustainable business, from water, waste management and energy to transportation, land use and organizational commitment," Fernqvist said. Diamond Properties' implementation of green business practices started two years ago with a few solar panels on GPNY's roof. To date, 25 percent of GPNY's 3-acre roof is covered with solar panels; the rest will be completed over the next nine months. "Diamond Properties made an investment to help offset our carbon footprint by selling power back it its tenants," said Nat Mundy, vice president of marketing for GPNY. "The tenants buy the power generated by the solar panels at a lower rate. They're saving money every month." Mundy said the whole solar roof project will include 14 acres of solar panels divided amongst six Diamond properties that have signed on to go green. Mount Kisco mayor Michael Cindrich said using solar energy is an investment in the future. While the upfront costs of creating a sustainable business are significant, companies will save money in the long run by making the switch to sustainability. "This not only helps Mount Kisco with reducing its carbon footprint, but it could be perceived as a bellwether for other businesses to emulate," Cindrich said. For more information about the WGBC and WGB-Certified, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.westchestergreenbusinesschallenge.org or contact WGBC Program Directors Dani Glaser & Scott Fernqvist at [email protected]. For more information on Diamond Properties please visit www.diamondproperties.com or call 914-773-6249. Shown (from left) are: Jana Petrikova, Program Director, Westchester Green Business Challenge; Scott E. Fernqvist, Co-Founder & Program Director, Westchester Green Business Challenge; Dani Glaser, Founder, Co-Director, Westchester Green Business Challenge; Jim Diamond, CEO, Diamond Properties; Sarah James, Director of Membership, The Business Council of Westchester; Nat Mundy, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Grand Prix New York Racing, LLC.