In exchange for a small grant from Sustainable Northwest to help with sprinkler production, the foundry owner agreed to pay two percent of gross sales as a donation to the local Wallowa Resources group. We're trying to generate a basic economic self-interest in protecting resources. The group has decided the only way to achieve adequate scale to make a difference either economically or ecologically is to focus on economic sectors, rather than individual businesses. That means taking the time to understand how those sectors operate, and what market potential exists. The sectors they have focused on initially include seafood, specialty forest products, and agriculture.
Green aspects can push higher margins or volumes.
But they're not the main selling point. For seafood, for instance, a key point may be how quickly a salmon has gone from the bay to a restaurant dinner plate. Ultimately, they aim cover all of their operating revenues through fees. Operating like the businesses they work with enforces a discipline and quality control essential to long-term success, says Dickerson. It is therefore not truly a community-based organization.