Discovering and applying new and innovative economic development tools, models, policies, and programs
Creating Jobs and Wealth in Distressed Michigan Communities
2017: Triple Bottom Line
Co-Implementation Plan - 2017
Authors: Bill Stough, Sustainable Research Group
Summary
In regions of the state where entrepreneurial innovation is more established, the emergence of the Triple Bottom Line business model is driving growth of companies that are decidedly place-based, pay better wages and prefer purchasing local goods and services. This innovative business trend implies a shift from the current focus of reducing the negative impacts of economic activity to the deliberate generation of positive impacts. It is the goal of this REI Fellows initiative to actively introduce and help implement the TBL approach in the East Central Michigan region consisting of: Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Bay, Midland, Isabella, Gratiot and Saginaw counties. Although not widely described as a disadvantaged community, this 8-county region has an average ALICE rating that indicates 43.25% of the population live below income levels needed to achieve minimal living standards. Bill Stough, President of Sustainable Research Group, will be leading this Innovation Fellowship.
Project Updated As Of September 30th, 2017
Author Information
Bill Stough, Sustainable Research Group
Bill Stough is the CEO of Sustainable Research Group (SRG), a consultancy that provides sustainability design and management services to advance sustainable business practices for its clients. SRG helps its customers reduce their ecological footprint and increase their value proposition to stakeholders through its unique perspective based on sustainable development principles. Bill has over 30 years experience in environmentally sustainable business initiatives, industrial ecology, pollution prevention and ISO 14001 environmental management systems. He is the founder/organizer of several regional sustainable business networks and was the project manager for the development of the BIFMA e3 Sustainable Furniture Product Standard. Bill has completed over 60 Green Supplier Network Lean and Clean Assessments. He is active in the green manufacturing movement, is the immediate past chair of the Sustainable Manufacturing Network and a recent inaugural Sustainable Business Hall of Fame inductee by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.
View the Report