A little while ago I wrote about national spending priorities and the need for investment in “green collar” jobs and infrastructure designed around energy efficiencies. That post garnered me some attention in the blogosphere and I was contacted by a representative from the ShoreBank Corporation.
It’s good that more and more people are talking about these ideas (like me), and more and more are taking action on them (ShoreBank). And this bank has been at it a long time. ShoreBank is a community development bank out of Chicago with branches and subsidiaries around the country. It invests in activities designed to spur economic development in low-income areas, and serve communities oft inadequately served by traditional banks. You may have heard of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh whose founder, Muhammad Yunus, was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for the bank’s activities. Same idea.
The representative that contacted me and I shared a few emails discussing their efforts and their partnership with Van Jones. The bank has recently committed to donating to Jones’ foundation, Green For All, for every new online high-yield savings account that is opened. I don’t know if you’ve looked into online banking and high-yield savings accounts, but I’ve found their interest rates are often better than what brick and mortar banks offer. I also shared my alma mater’s program in environmental policy, many of whose graduates are doing similar good works. I was also excited to sign up for my first electronic press kit through the bank and receive a complimentary copy of Van Jones’ book, The Green Collar Economy, which I am very much looking forward to read! (Goodreads listing)
I’m very pleased that this is my first blog post of the new year. It’s the types of business opportunities that these organizations support that we need to look toward as we rebuild our economies and industries in 2009. According to their website, “ShoreBank Corp. is America’s first community development and environmental bank holding company. Their tagline is, “Let’s Change the World.” Sounds good to me.
Here’s Van Jones again:
Peder with a D 