GRAND RAPIDS – The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF) is proud to announce that it will be awarding one $5000 scholarship to a local college student in 2010.

The goal of the WMSBF is to encourage the adoption and implementation of sustainable development business practices aimed at improving corporate profitability while simultaneously enhancing the long-term health of the environment and welfare of the community.   We believe that long term and lasting success depends on both expanding the pool of sustainability savvy professionals and a transformation of the higher education system.   Towards this end, the Sustainability Scholarship program was initiated in 2007 to assist students at local colleges and universities in their studies. 

Since the program’s inception, scholarships have been awarded to five students who demonstrated their interest in sustainability in business.  The scholarships are funded through an annual golf outing held in August.

The scholarship is open to any student of a Kent, Ottawa, or Muskegon County college or university who will be entering their senior year in 2010.  Interested students are asked to submit a two-part essay outlining their knowledge of sustainable business practices and suggestions as to how their school might integrate triple-bottom-line thinking into its curriculum.  “Our previous awards have been given to some very talented students,” said scholarship committee co-chair Greg Metz of Lott3Metz Architecture, “We look forward to reading some excellent essays.”

The recipient will be announced in April.

More information, including the scholarship application, can be found on the WMSBF website or by contacting Kyle Ten Broeke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Applications must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 5, 2010.

The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum membership represents a broad cross-section of large area industries, medium and small-sized businesses, and individual contractors. Together, we are dedicated to developing the expertise and the means necessary to achieve our triple bottom line objective. We strive to expand and share our knowledge base through monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, periodic seminars and conferences, and special projects. 

Cascade Engineering :: 3400 Innovation Ct SE  Grand Rapids (map)

January 11, 2009 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm            

A representative from Cascade Engineering will be discussing the business plan – focused on ‘Base of the Pyramid’ strategies – they are developing for their Hydraid water filter.  Deb Steketee of Aquinas College will also be discussing their new Sustainable Business Certification program. 

Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Wednesday, January 6. Cost of attending is $10.

There is a $10 arrangement fee, payable by cash or check at the event. Credit card payments may be made prior to the event through PayPal (no PayPal account is necessary) here. A $1 additional processing charge is included for credit card payments.

Applied Technology Center @ Grand Rapids Community College (map)
151 Fountain NE  Grand Rapids, MI

December 14, 2009 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

The Social Responsibility committee will be presenting on the primer that they have been working on.  A representative of Hortech will also be presenting on their work as a nursery for live roofs and walls.

Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Wednesday, December 9. Cost of attending is $10.

There is a $10 arrangement fee, payable by cash or check at the event. Credit card payments may be made prior to the event through PayPal (no PayPal account is necessary) here. A $1 additional processing charge is included for credit card payments.

GRAND RAPIDS – The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is pleased to offer two additional membership tiers in response to requests from micro-businesses and undergraduate students.  Businesses with one or two employees will now pay $60 per year for full membership.  Students will be able to join at a non-voting level for $20. 

The WMSBF has seen a sharp increase in the number of micro-businesses in recent years, adding diversity to the group that had been dominated by large manufacturers at its inception in 1994.  “Down economic times tend to lead to a lot of entrepreneurship,” said WMSBF Board President Marylu Dykstra, “and a lot of recent start-ups are focused on sustainability.  We want them to be able to join us in the conversation.  We are also committed to our students... they are our future business members and we need them involved now.”

The new membership tier is a separation of the previous $150 that existed for small companies employing up to five people. Starting in 2010, business with one or two employees will be charged $60 for membership and those with three to ten employees charged $150.  Those with 11-100 employees and over 100 employees will be charged $300 and $500 respectively, as has been the case for the last several years.

In addition to the $60 tier for micro-businesses, the Board of Directors is also initiating a non-voting membership level for students.  “The students that have attended as guests bring a fresh perspective and ask some very challenging questions,” added Outreach Committee chair Ann Erhardt.  Students from all local colleges and universities are welcome to join for $20.  Student members will have access to all member benefits including attendance to monthly meetings, the ability to work on committees, access member only info on the WMSBF website, and more.  

The WMSBF Administrator, Kyle Ten Broeke, is updating the WMSBF website and is enthusiastic about the change, adding, “We hope this new fee structure will help small businesses continue their journey with us and make us an option for others as well.”  Kyle indicates that membership renewal letters will be distributed within the next few weeks. For more information, please contact Kyle Ten Broeke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the WMSBF website at www.wmsbf.org.

The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum membership represents a broad cross-section of large area industries, medium and small-sized businesses, and individual contractors. Together, we are dedicated to developing the expertise and the means necessary to achieve our triple bottom line objective. We strive to expand and share our knowledge base through monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, periodic seminars and conferences, and special projects.  

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