October 18, 2006 - Robert W. Swanson, director of the Department of Labor & Economic Growth, today announced that the Neahtawanta Inn, a bed & breakfast located in Traverse City, has earned Green Lodging Michigan certification.

Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving ‘green' practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

"It's like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval of being green," Swanson said. "The mark of environmental responsibility of hoteliers who show a commitment to "green" business practices and can demonstrate that environmental and economic goals are a top priority. GLM will help ensure the viability of our lodging facilities and the thousands of related hospitality jobs that will never be outsourced."

The Neahtawanta Inn implemented many unique environmental initiatives at their facility such as composting food waste, purchasing local products, and using organic air fresheners.

"We also follow sustainable gardening practices by composting and using mulch rather than chemical pesticides which are toxic to our environment, especially because we live right on Grand Traverse Bay," said Bob Russell, innkeeper at Neahtawanta. "And, by being more energy and water efficient, our utility bills are drastically lower than comparable-sized B&Bs that don't implement such initiatives."

GLM is a joint effort between DLEG and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to encourage the lodging industry to conserve and protect the state's natural resources while increasing marketability and lowering utility costs.

"GLM is a new way to involve hoteliers in the effort to help Michigan continue as the leader in environmental beauty and abundant natural resources," said Steven E. Chester, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

GLM is a voluntary and non-regulatory certification program offered through the Michigan Energy Office in DLEG to hoteliers at no charge. The Michigan Energy Office provides technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing "green" strategies and earning certification. The GLM program certifies facilities based on environmental initiatives such as air quality, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, toxic waste management, water conservation, purchasing and communication. There are three levels of certification: Partner, Steward, and Leader, which can be earned by completing a self-assessment checklist and achieving a minimum number of requirements and points.

The Neahtawanta Inn was certified at the Steward level and was one of six facilities to be recognized as a ‘green lodge' at the GLM program launch today at the Michigan Society of Government Meeting Professionals' monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Express in Okemos.

The Michigan Energy Office promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development to Michigan's residents, businesses, and public institutions. For more information about the Green Lodging Michigan program and to download the GLM application packet and self-assessment checklist, visit the website at www.michigan.gov/greenlodging.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.