In 2025, a new Bilingual Business Sustainability Coordinator was hired to lead the Sustainable Business Program. The program underwent a thorough review to strengthen its alignment with the City’s Sustainability Plan. The certification criteria were updated to better reflect the City’s goals around climate action, equity, and resilience. New incentive offerings were also being developed to improve member retention and support long-term participation.
The induction cooking initiative under the Sustainable business Program has concluded for this period. The program prioritized the availability and readiness of participating businesses to ensure a positive experience. A second phase of the program is currently in the design process with plans to build on the insights gathered during this initial phase.
In 2024, the Sustainable Business Program achieved significant growth, welcoming 23 new participants and reaching a total of 127 participants. This steady increase aligns with the program’s goal of achieving 20% annual growth in membership, reflecting its impact and reach.
A pilot program was carried out in 2023 to create awareness of induction cooking in six businesses around the Longmont area. The pilot program's results were very satisfactory and highlighted the system's speed, radiation heat reduction, ease of cleaning, elimination of dangerous fumes, and improved temperature control.
The first phase of the To-Go Ware program was completed May 2023. 19 participants received a set of recyclable/compostable items to use as an alternative to Styrofoam containers. People were receptive and the city received good feedback specially about the awareness that this program brought to them. A second phase was executed after the May timeframe reaching out 20 more businesses.
