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Grand Rapids companies honored and recognized in national summit

Posted at 3:53 PM, Oct 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-05 15:53:34-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.– A Grand Rapids organization was honored for their work from B Lab  in the 2016 Measure What Matters Summit in San Francisco, CA.

Local First was honored for their work on the development of Quick Impact Assessment, a free and confidential online program that helps companies measure the positive impact they make within their communities. Over 100 business  developmental organizations use the program and 48,000 businesses have taken it.

The Grand Rapids business development group teamed up with B Lab and Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) over the past several years to develop the program. It is used to help companies become B Corporations.

B Corporations are for-profit companies that are certified by B Lab, which is a nonprofit that helps people use businesses for good. They rate companies based on the ability to meet social and environmental standards, among many other things.

Thanks to the efforts of Local First, there are now 11 B Corporations in Grand Rapids.  Three Grand Rapids B Corporation companies- Bazzani Associates, Betterway Impors and Catalyst Partners, were recognized as “Best for the World” during the What Matters Summit as well.

All three companies were recognized for their positive social and environmental impact. If you are interested in taking the Quick Impact Assessment, you can visit localfirst.com.