Site Selection Firm First in Econ Dev Industry to Earn B Corp Certification
Fishers, Indiana (PRWEB) April 28, 2016 -- FairWinds Advisors is quickly becoming the Site Selection firm of choice for growing companies across technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and agri-business industries in the Midwest. The company’s approach— investing time, building trust and growing with their clients —seems obvious, but, in an industry with a high dollar buy-in, it counts as revolutionary.
The company has a similarly unconventional approach to its corporate identity. Announcing today that it is the first approved Site Selection Economic Development Certified B Corporation, FairWinds is balancing profit with purpose.
B corporations are for-profit companies that pledge to achieve social as well as business goals. Their performance must be routinely certified by a nonprofit called B Lab. It’s like a LEED or Fair Trade certification, but for a business, not just a building or a bag of coffee. Many B corps are also committed to a specific social mission. FairWinds supports economic empowerment through education and experiential learning initiatives through corporate giving and volunteering.
Called “the highest standard for socially responsible business” by Inc. magazine, B Corp certification recognizes companies who voluntarily meet standards of transparency, accountability and social impact. There are now more than 1700 certified B corps across 50 countries and 130 industries, including Patagonia, Etsy, and Seventh Generation.
FairWinds watched, learned and applauded as Bohlsen Group, an Indianapolis-based public relations and advertising agency, pioneered the process to become the first certified B Corp in Indiana in May 2015. Almost a year later, FairWinds is proud to become the second certified B Corp in Indiana.
To become certified, companies must undergo and pass an assessment by B Lab that evaluates their mission, employment practices, governance structure, social impact and corporate goals. Pedrotti Hays, Inc., a local consulting firm specializing in B Corp certification, guided Bohlsen Group and FairWinds through the certification process.
Why would any company subject itself to such scrutiny?
“We wanted to build a profitable business,” stated Jenny Massey, Co-Founder and President, “but we also wanted to build a business that did good in the world, too.”
FairWinds assists entrepreneurs and companies large and small across the nation who not only want to grow and increase their profits, but also desire to have a positive impact on their local community and society-at-large. Having a social mission is important to many FairWinds clients, knowing that they are part of something greater than themselves.
“It’s easy to be skeptical of the "feel good" rhetoric surrounding B corps,” stated Jay Walters, Co-Founder and CEO, “However, all companies have the choice to be profitable but also meaningful; for us it’s not even a decision – it’s just the right thing to do.”
FairWinds Advisors, LLC is a nationwide independent site selection and economic development consulting firm. We partner with our clients to help them on their path toward job growth, capital investment and business site location. FairWinds analyzes and negotiates local and state incentives like tax credits and training grants. We ensure that our clients’ compliance requirements with all incentives are fulfilled by providing reminders, assistance and reviews throughout the term of the incentives.
For more information visit http://www.FairWinds-Advisors.com. To view FairWinds' Certified B Corp profile visit http://www.bcorporation.net/community/fairwinds-advisors.
Teresa Becker, TKB Consulting, http://teresakbecker.com/, +1 317-440-2450, [email protected]
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