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5. Improve Access to Loans, C~xants, and <br />otlrer Forrns of Business Financing <br />SBI research found that many local <br />companies using sustainability practices have <br />.limited knowledge about the loans, grants, <br />tax credits and other financial instruments <br />available to them; find them hard to access, <br />or do not qualify for the types of capital <br />currently available. We also found that <br />the understanding among local financial <br />institutions is low about how sustainability <br />practices can reduce risks and increase the <br />financial viability of a company. We therefore <br />recommend that private and non-profit <br />banks, investment and venture capital firms <br />consider joining with the Eugene Chamber <br />of Commerce and local and state funding <br />agencies in a coordinated effort to: <br />• Increase their knowledge of the business <br />value of sustainability principles <br />and practices. <br />Determine how each financial institution <br />can benefit from and serve as a role model <br />by applying sustainability practices to their <br />own internal operations. <br />• Develop sustainability education and <br />training programs for potential customers. <br />• Establish a sustainability certification <br />process linking business education with <br />loan and grant approval, including a <br />possible climate change risk reduction plan. <br />• Identify gaps in local financing options for <br />sustainable businesses and develop <br />financial instruments to meet those. needs, <br />including a possible local green "CD" <br />to offer an investment option for citizens <br />interested in supporting local sustainable <br />businesses. <br />7. Tarrn Task Force to Address <br />Social I~:qui.ty <br />Numerous studies and practical experience <br />underscore the business and community ', <br />benefits of addressing key social equity needs ' <br />such as providing employees with quality <br />living wage jobs, sufficient benefits, $exible <br />work schedules, and opportunities for career <br />advancement. Most Eugene companies <br />strive to meet these needs and many do an <br />excellent job. However, the unemployment <br />and part-time employment rates in Eugene, <br />as well as the number of people living at or <br />below the poverty line and without health <br />care and other benefits, suggests that more <br />can be done. We recommend the formation <br />of a .task force among local companies, <br />business associations, non-profits, workers <br />and their representatives, educational <br />institutions, and the City of Eugene and <br />other local governments, including those that <br />work with low income families, to identify <br />ways. to strengthen and upgrade wages, <br />benefits, and other priority social equity <br />needs. The task force should also consider <br />an outreach program aimed at discussing <br />with local executives the value of enhancing <br />social equity to their bottom-line and to the <br />community's well being. <br />d. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR <br />OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS <br />AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS <br />The SBI Task Force offers the following <br />recommendations to the boards of <br />directors and chief executives of the <br />organizations named. <br />1. Develop and C)perate a Pul~iic <br />I:~,chrcati.on Szrsta.inability Consr.~xtiurn <br />We encourage. Lane Community College <br />to continue its efforts, with strong support <br />from the City of Eugene, to enhance efforts <br />by the 4J and Bethel school districts, early <br />childhood education, preschool programs, <br />the University of Oregon, EWEB, Lane <br />