SLO County Green Business Program

Free technical assistance and certification for small to medium-sized businesses that want to cut costs, improve efficiency, and lead in sustainability.

Go Green with the SLO County Green Business Program

Save Money. Save Resources. Get Recognized.

The SLO County Green Business Program, part of the statewide California Green Business Network (CAGBN), provides free technical assistance and resources to help small and medium-sized businesses improve their operations, cut costs, and reduce their environmental impact. Certified Green Businesses are recognized leaders who care about their employees, customers, and the health of San Luis Obispo County.

For business owners, the program is a step-by-step pathway to:

  • Lower energy, water, and waste bills.

  • Access rebates and incentives to make upgrades more affordable.

  • Gain statewide recognition and local marketing benefits as a certified California Green Business.

Every certification contributes to the City and County’s climate goals while boosting the local economy. Together, we’re building a greener, more resilient San Luis Obispo County, one business at a time!

How It Works

  1. Sign Up – Fill out the short interest form.

  2. Get Support – Receive free technical assistance from our coordinator.

  3. Take Action – Implement practical, cost-saving green practices.

  4. Get Certified – Earn recognition, marketing benefits, and your Green Business window decal.

Greening Businesses in SLO County

The San Luis Obispo County Green Business Program is here to help local businesses thrive while making our community more sustainable.

By joining, you’re not only strengthening your business, you’re helping build a cleaner, healthier future for San Luis Obispo County.

Featured Green Businesses

  • San Luis Obispo Massage + Wellness Center

    “Having a program like this and encouraging businesses to participate really has a ripple effect on the community.”

    View Business

  • SLO Food Co-Op

    “As a member-owned Co-op, greening our business reflects our commitment to a healthy, sustainable community for all.”

    View Business

  • Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach

    SLO County’s first certified Green Business Hotel

    View Business

  • Precision Construction Services

    SLO County’s first certified Green Business construction business

    View Business

  • Ten Over Studio

    View Business

Benefits

A 2023 survey published in the Harvard Business Review suggests that demand for green products appears to be increasing: 27% of respondents said they are more likely to buy a sustainable product or service than 5 years ago.

  • Save Money

    Reduce energy, water, and waste costs.

  • Attract Customers

    Stand out with trusted Green Business certification.

  • Gain Recognition

    Featured in statewide and local directories.

  • Access Incentives

    Rebates and financial support available.

  • Build Community

    Join a network of sustainability leaders in SLO County.

Sign Up Today

SLO County Green Business Directory

Residents can support a cleaner, more sustainable San Luis Obispo by choosing Certified Green Businesses.

FAQs

  • Becoming a certified Green Business is easy! You can register your business and fill out the application online today. We ask some basic questions about your business including your industry, number of employees, and square footage. Once your application is complete, we will reach out to you to schedule an introductory meeting to walk you through the certification process!

  • Absolutely! Even if you lease your space or don’t control your utilities, you can still become a Certified Green Business. We will work with you one on one to navigate the certification process and make sure the unique needs of your business are accounted for.

  • Yes! Home offices are eligible for Certification through a unique Certification pipeline that understands the differences between home and commercial offices and the needs of each situation.

  • Becoming a Certified Green Business is the clearest way to show your community and customers that you care about the environment and a sustainable future while saving money. And there has never been a better (and cheaper) time to go green! It’s good for the environment, saves you money, and improves employee wellness and productivity. Not to mention that you will receive recognition as an environmental leader in your community!

    Green Businesses also enjoy a marketing edge over competitors through the Green Business Directory and additional marketing from ECOSLO through our social networks.

  • The amount of time for a business to achieve certification varies depending on several factors i.e., how many green practices are already in place, how complex the facility is and how committed the business is to making the required changes quickly.  

    A business that has most of the green measures already in place can usually achieve certification within 2-3 months.  

    A more complex facility requiring comprehensive changes or fixture upgrades can take up to 6 months.  Our team helps guide you through the entire process!

  • GreenBizTracker is a web-based platform designed to facilitate the operation of Green Business certification programs with robust reporting capabilities.

  • Once the businesses pass the onsite verification visit, they are certified for a three-year period from the final onsite visit day. Certified businesses will receive a 3-month notification via email before they are due for renewal.

Resources & Incentives

  • Energy Efficiency Incentives

    3C-REN’s Commercial Energy Savings program provides funding to help replace old water heaters, upgrade heating and cooling, add insulation, or even transition to an all-electric building to cut emissions.

    Learn More

  • Intuit Mini Grant

    Intuit will provide $1,000 Mini-Grants to support up to 75 Certified-Level Green Businesses (or those working toward certification) with projects that improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

    Available September 10

  • Affordable Loans from Pacific Community Ventures

    Pacific Community Ventures is a mission-driven lender that provides up to $500,000 in affordable loans to California small businesses. PCV specializes in businesses who’ve experienced difficulty accessing growth capital from other lenders.

    Learn More

  • Free Energy Advising

    The Central Coast Leaders in Energy Action Program (CC- No-cost energy efficiency help for small businesses, local governments, and public agencies

    Learn More

  • ECOSLO Reusables Rebate

    The ECOSLO Reusables Rebate offers $250 to Green Business certification participants to help reduce single-use waste in their operations.

    Learn More

Questions?