Press Release
Environmental and Conservation Organization
Biz611, a building and “business incubator”owned by Jonathan Butler, has received the 2014 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Environmental and Conservation Organization (ECO). This is the fourth year that ECO has recognized a local business for a range of sustainable business practices, including procurement of goods, service, buildings and operation, employees, minimizing waste, and community support. Biz611, a business envisioned by Butler, is recognized for its innovative building, its nurturing of young, start-up green/environmental businesses, and its extensive community support.
The building, located at 611 N. Church Street, is a showcase of sustainable construction practices, incorporating 9,000 bricks from the previous building on the site. Interior modular office walls and doors were reclaimed from other buildings. The 10KW solar roof panels not only collect usable solar energy but also shade the south wall from summer sun while allowing passive heat collection in winter. The roof is designed to capture a maximum amount of rainwater in two cisterns. One cistern filters UV- treated water that is piped for use in toilets, while water from the second cistern is used to irrigate plants lining the “vertical living wall” garden facing Church Street. A “level 2″ charging station for electric vehicles is located in the parking lot.
Butler’s vision of a business incubator for start-up companies demonstrates a business commitment to Hendersonville and the region. Nine of the sixteen offices in the building house a mix of technology, environmental, marketing, and nonprofit organizations. The common meeting rooms and kitchen area are designed to encourage collaboration, creativity, and interaction among the various business owners and staff.
Business tenants at Biz611 in turn reach out to the community, presenting numerous public programs and educational workshops. Recently, Butler provided an outstanding venue for the nonprofit Free Clinics by opening up the Biz611 space, the parking lot, and the Landmark Apartments next door, which he also owns, to host its Spring Salon fundraising event. Nearly 300 people attended.
“People choose to live and work in Henderson County and the region because of the sense of community and the natural environment,” said George Tregay, chair of ECO’s Energy and Sustainability Committee, which gives the annual Environmental Stewardship Award. “These characteristics can be sustained by businesses and residents working together. Locally owned green businesses make positive contributions to the environment and the region.”
For more information on ECO or its annual Environmental Stewardship Award, contact the office at 828-692-0385 or visit the website at www.eco-wnc.org.
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