FAQ- Missoula Chamber of Commerce & Missoula Downtown Association

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sustainability?
Why the Missoula Area?
What are sustainable Business practices?
Why should I join the SBC?
Are you a green or environmental organization?
Are you an alternative to the Missoula Chamber of Commerce
or the Missoula Downtown Association?

Why should I join the SBC?
The SBC was formed to support businesses that would like to pursue more environmentally and socially sustainable practices, while maintaining or enhancing their economic viability. The SBC provides members with opportunities to network with like minded business people, to share ideas (and "waste" materials) with others, to receive education in the latest developments in sustainable practices, and to communicate with sustainability minded customers.

These opportunities are provided through bi-monthly meetings, workshops, a web site, publications, and marketing materials made available to sustainability minded consumers. Our web site includes information pages, links to other information sources, an events calendar, a materials exchange, a speakers list and a member directory that potential customers may use to find a business committed to sustainability. Each business member receives a "page" on our web site where they may describe their business, its sustainable features and provide contact information for consumers. Members may also take advantage of discounts offered by other members on recycled paper products, curbside recycling service, and advertising.

By helping businesses reduce energy use, reduce waste production, attract sustainability minded consumers, and keep workers satisfied thus keeping turnover rates low, SBC helps business improve their economic bottom line while improving their environmental and social performance as well. In a world with rising power prices and shortages of natural gas and other fuels projected for the near future and one in which approximately one quarter of American consumers are looking for more environmentally friendly or sustainable lifestyles, SBC membership can prove to be an important tool for businesses. In short, the SBC will help a business adapt to the changing resource landscape and market expectations in Missoula and the world.

Are you a green or environmental organization?
If you are asking whether the SBC is an environmental activist organization, the answer is no. The SBC is a business organization that is interested in environmental issues and "green" business practices as well as socially responsible practices. Our overarching goal is to help businesses become more environmentally and socially sustainable by helping them reduce energy use, reduce materials use, reduce waste, improve employee relations, improve community relations, and adopt other sustainable practices. Since most of these changes have long-run cost savings or profit potential, adopting sustainable practices also helps an organization become more economically sustainable.

Are you an alternative to the Missoula Chamber of Commerce or the Missoula Downtown Association?
No, in the strictest sense the SBC is not an alternative to the Missoula Chamber of Commerce or the Missoula Downtown Association. The SBC provides different support for businesses than either the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, the new Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau does, or the Missoula Downtown Association. The SBC was formed to help businesses make the transition to more sustainable practices. The SBC does so by providing members with opportunities to network with and share information with sustainability minded business people, to receive education in sustainable practices, and to communicate with potential customers who are interested in sustainability issues. The Chamber and Bureau provide a variety of marketing events like Hoopfest and marketing tools that are designed to stimulate conventional retail and hospitality business in Missoula. Additionally, they do some political advocacy and provide an opportunity to network with more conventional business owners. SBC members who benefit from these types of marketing events or who need to network with conventional suppliers due to the current lack of sustainable suppliers in Missoula may benefit from the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, Missoula Downtown Association, or Visitor's Bureau membership as well as SBC membership.

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