Smart Business Challenge

The Smart Business Challenge kicked off its first year in 2014 during the City of Ames' sesquicentennial (150-year) celebration. The Challenge invites local businesses -- big, small, corporate or mom-and-pop -- to take incremental steps toward making their businesses more sustainable with a variety of eco-friendly initiatives. Business owners can use the Challenge as an opportunity to improve their business methods related to:

• Energy and water conservation; 
• Transportation;
• Waste reduction; 
• Indoor and outdoor environmental quality;
• Carbon footprint; as well as
• Community engagement.

As businesses increase and enhance their sustainable practices, they can achieve five different levels of recognition: Green, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Seven businesses have already achieved Platinum status!

Check out the ever-growing list of participating businesses! Don't see your favorite Ames business listed? Ask the owner about getting involved, or get in touch with the Smart Business Challenge Team at the contact information below.

The Challenge's Campus Connection

One of Merry Rankin's various roles for Iowa State and the City of Ames is overseeing the Smart Business Challenge.

With more than 30 businesses already participating, interest in adopting eco-friendly businesses practices has been growing. To help sign up new businesses and maintain relationships with current participants, two college students intern cooperatively with the City of Ames and Iowa State University. These Smart Business Challenge interns help assess what businesses are doing well and offer recommendations for sustainable improvement.