Read the case and answer the questions that follow. Studying this case will help you better understand how concepts relating to sustainability and corporate social responsibility can be applied in a company such as Reems Creek Renewable Energy Campus.

The power of the sun is readily harnessed by all types of businesses. There are restaurants that use solar power to operate their ovens. Some distribution centers use solar cells to light up the warehouse. And, certainly, manufacturers have been using solar panels to operate in a “green” manner while also cutting energy costs. Now, one enterprising developer wants to build an entire business park that will be the first solar-powered business in western North Carolina (Sandford 2012).

Russell Thomas, the driving force behind this project, envisions a 12.5-acre development that should be completed in late 2014. His 30 years of experience in project management and property development will be important for bringing this project to fruition. Tenants will include retailers, corporate offices, and warehouses. Visitors to the sprawling complex will be able to enjoy restaurants, shops, offices, and even lodging. “It’s about bringing socially conscious businesspeople together,” Thomas said (Sandford 2012). Located in Weaverville, North Carolina, the “campus” has a green mission to “feature, promote, and unite local and regional renewable energy oriented business vendors into a unique business alliance” (renewabilities.org). Weaverville is near Asheville, North Carolina, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How unique is the Reems Creek Renewable Energy Campus as far as uniting tenants? One feature of the campus is a clever approach to the parking areas. Solar cells will not only help light the area at night and provide shade during the day but will also provide income for the tenants. Five of these parking areas are scattered throughout the campus and are integrated into the overall design of the park. This encourages buy-in from the tenants, as they are not only beneficiaries of the energy but also recipients of tangible dollars for their participation in the development.

Thomas sees the tenants as a full alliance working together and “marketing themselves as a highly trained, sustainable-minded eco-conscious community of professionals” (renewabilities.org). The sense of community is clear in Thomas’s vision for Reems Creek—a place to work, live, and share in a common, ecologically friendly environment. The campus goes beyond making use of solar power by also utilizing rainwater retention and recycling services. Running and nature trails surround the facility, while a wetlands preservation plan ensures that the natural environment is maintained in an appropriate manner. In short, it’s a venue where those businesses that want to operate in a truly green way can feel right at home.

In addition to providing work space to a wide variety of tenants, the campus is literally just that: a training and research facility. Those wishing to earn certifications and licensure in renewability and sustainability can attend classes held in one of the buildings. Everything from green renovation to energy efficiency will be covered in state-of-the-art classrooms. Also, major research projects focusing on solar energy and ecologically harmless wind power are planned. Through funding, work space, and consulting, researchers can pursue ever-more-sustainable opportunities at the site. According to the new development’s website, “Our philosophy of creating business through renewable education and skills training is based on providing future generations skilled and trained technical and entrepreneurial human capital to innovate, solve, manage, and administer sustainable infrastructure” (renewabilities.org). This philosophy is critical because it will foster a new generation of individuals dedicated to sustainable energies.

The facility is definitely an ambitious project, one requiring extensive planning that integrates the sustainable energy aspect into a place where people can feel comfortable and productive. The architecture of the buildings echoes a 1920s style while incorporating twenty-first-century green initiatives.

Furthermore, the objective is to produce a rich source of energy from highly sustainable methods like solar energy, wind, water retention, and so forth. There will be enough energy produced at the Reems Creek Campus that the facility will be its own utility company, which will save tenants money on energy costs and create less of a drain on existing infrastructures. Beginning in 1996, federal regulations permit such companies to exist to lower energy costs through increased competition. Thus, Reems Creek Renewable Energy Campus is truly a sustainable organization in many ways. According to Thomas, “You want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem” (Sandford 2012).⁶⁸