Sarasota County has taken another step towards a greener future with the launch of its new Green Business Partnership Map.  The goal is to showcase and promote local businesses dedicated to environmental practices, encouraging residents and visitors alike to support sustainability in their community.  Residents can use the map to discover new sustainable businesses in their area and provide feedback to further encourage sustainable practices.

• Andre Spalvins, Realtor

  Andre Spalvins is a real estate broker with ANDRES and ASSOCIATES REALTY INC. Andre specializes in investment properties and residences. He handles sales and rentals for residential and commercial properties across Sarasota, Osprey, Nokomis, Venice, Englewood, and Port Charlotte.  Andre maintains a green business by working from a home-based office, using environmentally friendly landscaping practices, using native vegetation and xeriscape (low-water) designs, and comprehensive recycling programs. Andre remains active in his community by teaching safe boating classes for the Sarasota and Venice Power Squadrons.

• Albert Wooster & Co

  Albert Wooster & Co is a concierge Real Estate Service. They provide buyer’s representation, where clients can receive help with financing, guidance about local neighborhoods, budget advice, and negotiation on the client’s behalf. Albert Wooster & Co also offers Seller’s Representation, which includes advertising and budgeting help, arrangements of open houses and private showings, and negotiations of purchase offers.

  Owner Albert Wooster has been providing quality real estate services since 2005, building relationships with top agents, attorneys, and brokers, and successfully negotiating on his clients’ behalf.  Albert is committed to green business practices. He served on the Florida Realtors “Land Use, Property Rights, and Sustainable Development Subcommittee,” was the Founding Chairman of “Green Realtors Alliance of Sarasota,” and was a Subject Matter Expert to the National Association of Realtor’s “Green Designation” Course Development Panel.

  Albert Wooster & Co distinguishes themselves as the only 100% Carbon Neutral Real Estate Broker in Sarasota, which is accomplished via purchasing Terrapass carbon offsets.

• Beechwood Builders, Inc.

  Beechwood Builders, Inc. is a family owned and operated home-building and remodeling business. They work to make the process of building or remodeling less stressful for clients, handling the little details and developing close relationships.  They carefully listen to client needs, clearly communicate project details, and deliver high-quality products. Their secondary business, Beechwood Green Solutions helps clients update their existing homes with green technology.

  Beechwood Builders, Inc. engages in green business practices by reducing paper waste through double-sided printing and utilizing scratch paper, conserving energy by turning off unnecessary lights, and keeping facilities litter-free. The company also provides ‘Green Tips’ on their website.

• Buy Design, LLC

  Buy Design is an experienced contracting company that allows clients to reimagine real estate. They provide services in new construction, design, additions, remodeling, commercial construction, and green construction. They take pride in providing top quality materials and expert craftsmanship.

• Coppola Realty Group

  Coppola Realty Group is a licensed real estate firm that provides knowledgeable and experienced assistance to buyers and sellers across southwest Florida. They have a broad range of specialties, including property purchase and sale for rental investments, vacation use homes vacant land, condos, single family homes, multi-family homes and commercial buildings, short sale properties, and foreclosure properties.

  Coppola Realty reduces its environmental impacts via a comprehensive recycling program, reduced-waste measures like replacing Styrofoam cups with reusable mugs, and energy-saving techniques like window tint, setting thermostats to 82 degrees, and minimizing lights used for nighttime security.

• Core Construction

  Core Construction provides services in preconstruction, new building, renovation, and disaster recovery construction, project management, and job order contracting. They values relationships within their community, evidenced by their collaboration with school boards and local first responders. In 2017, Core construction developed CleanPSB (Clean Public Safety Building), which establishes clean police and fire stations to reduce exposure risk and provide safe working environments.

  Core Construction understands that construction projects significantly impact the environment; therefore, they have implemented LEED certification design, recycling programs, and initiatives in water and energy conservation. Core Construction is also a member of the United States Green Building Council for their LEED accreditation.

• Jackson Hewitt

  Jackson Hewitt is the nation’s second-largest federal income tax preparation service, with nearly 5,700 offices across the country. They have 40 years of experience assisting taxpayers, supporting small businesses, and improving the tax ecosystem through partnership with taxpayers and the IRS.

  Jackson Hewitt’s Sarasota office is committed to enhancing its environmental performance through recycling programs and reduced energy consumption. Staff meetings and company newsletters regularly feature “green” issues.

• John Cannon Homes & Construction

  John Cannon Homes is a custom home building business that delivers quality craftmanship and customized dream homes to customers. They do not sacrifice quality for speed or cost; John Cannon Homes provides only the best services and materials. They work closely with customers to select perfect locations, designing layouts, ensuring compliance with local codes and regulations, and selecting materials that are both timeless and trendy.

  John Cannon Homes engages in sustainable practices by building with recycled materials, considering native tree and plant preservation, using ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, conserving water and energy, marking and monitoring storm drains, and ensuring that each home is inspected by a Florida Green Build Certifying Agent.

About the Green Business Partnership

Are you a business in Sarasota County and are considering going green? The Green Business Partnership is open to all businesses in Sarasota County. Certified Green Business partners operate in an environmentally responsible manner. More than 250 businesses have earned certification. Program certification includes an on-site verification of reduction, reuse and conservation practices in:

• Business operations;
• Solid waste management;
• Recycling; and
• Energy and water consumption.

0