WMSBF Annual Meeting Will Highlight Potential for Post-COVID Ambitions for Sustainability and Sustainable Business

West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will host an in-person program this month highlighting the importance of the next decade for the state and region’s key sustainability goals.  The 2021 Annual Meeting is Monday, July 12, at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park.  The outdoor luncheon and networking event will demonstrate how local and state leaders are emerging from the pandemic with a renewed focus on climate leadership, social justice and the creation of a circular economy.

Featured speakers include State Senator Winnie Brinks, Dar Baas, Director of the Kent County Department of Public Works, and Sarah Chartier, Senior Sustainability Manager for Spectrum Health System.

Baas will provide an update on the Kent County Sustainable Business Park, a generational investment in the development of a circular economy in West Michigan.  The project will soon select an anchor tenant that will annually separate up to half a million tons of mixed solid waste into useable components.  Barr will share how that will impact local business and industry, as well as the county’s goal to reduce waste to landfill by 90% by 2030.

Chartier will also introduce Spectrum Health’s new sustainability goals, which recently established it as the largest employer in West Michigan to make a carbon neutral commitment.  In addition to that 2040 goal, Spectrum Health has set five-year goals for energy reduction, electric vehicle usage, solid waste, and local purchasing. In connection with its 2020 anti-racism pledge, Spectrum Health plans to double the purchases it makes from minority-owned and woman-owned businesses in Michigan by 2025.

The Annual Meeting will also include an update on the organization, introduction of new board members and recognition of the 2021 President’s Award honoree.  The President’s Award recognizes a Forum member for contributions to the growth and sustainability of the organization.

This event is the second in a series of four outdoor forums leading to the 8th Annual Triple Bottom Line Bash, also at LMCU Ballpark, on September 30.

Learn more at wmsbf.org.