Nationwide Web-based barter/currency for green businesses to be launched

August 6, 2010 — The recession’s squeeze on green businesses in the United States will be loosened a bit starting next week with the launch of the “Green America Exchange” (GAEx), an enhanced barter network with a complementary currency and interest-free lines of credit designed to support a robust and sustainable business-to-business (B2B) marketplace.

GAEx launches nationwide Aug. 10, but will have its strongest initial focus in San Francisco.

GAEx is a project of the national nonprofit Green America. As GAEx comes online, it will feature such offers as advertising space in national magazines, carbon-neutral Web hosting, graphic design, merchant services, organic catering, and dozens of other items addressing green business needs.

Green America’s Executive Director Alisa Gravitz said, “Our goal is to put the green back in greenbacks by developing a complementary currency that promotes trade between America’s sustainable and socially responsible enterprises. The Green America Exchange is so much more than a simple barter arrangement; it will help the small businesses at the heart of America’s green economy make additional sales, gain new customers, conserve cash, support fellow green businesses, and purchase the products and services they need all in the same place.”

Green America Exchange Project Manager Keaty Gross said, “By turning un-sold goods, un-booked appointments and under-utilized space into a liquid currency, the exchange facilitates trades that wouldn’t have otherwise happened in our cash-strapped economy. So on top of GAEx’s potential to strengthen the green economy as a whole, it is also a profitable venture for each participating business.”

There’s no front-end fee to join the Green America Exchange. Instead, all GAEx members will pay transaction fees that ensure that the proper management and oversight to trading remains in place and sustainable.

Members will also be able to upgrade to a premium account, benefits of which include a personal broker and the opportunity to apply for a credit line, for a low $10 cash/10 trade monthly fee.

GAEx is available to all members of Green America’s Business Network, which has an associate membership open to all businesses. All products and services offered on the Green Exchange must be green (both socially and environmentally responsible).

The Green American Exchange is now in the process of enlisting and activating accounts. To learn more visit www.GreenAmericaExchange.org or contact the Exchange Manager at Keaty@GreenAmerica.org.

Businesses interested in joining the Green Business Network and taking part in the exchange can go to www.greenamericatoday.org/cabn/join/ or contact the Green Business Network at 202-872-5330.

Source: Green America, www.greenamericatoday.org