Fast Company magazine recently called Grand Rapids the “Greenest City in America.” It should come as no surprise then, that Grand Rapids leads the nation in number of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified projects per capita.
Although Plante & Moran has had a Grand Rapids presence for 20 years, offering comprehensive audit and tax consulting services to all of West Michigan, including Holland and Muskegon, we recently moved into a new, larger, “greener” building in downtown Grand Rapids near the city’s Riverwalk Pathways, which features two miles of paved walkway along the banks of the Grand River. One of the most significant features of the new office is that it will be a LEED Commercial Interiors certified office space within a LEED Core & Shell building. LEED provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures.
More than 110 financial advisors and staff members work in Grand Rapids, which is our firm’s third-largest office. We’re proud to call this diverse, “green” city home.
Recognitions
Plante & Moran has been named one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” the past 11 consecutive years. In 2009, Plante & Moran was the leading accounting and management-consulting firm on the list. In addition, Plante & Moran was recently named one of West Michigan’s “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” for the fourth consecutive year. We’re honored to be recognized as a leader within our community.
In 2008, the firm was also cited as one of 18 “Great Companies for Millennials” by HRE magazine, and for the second consecutive year, Leadership Development magazine named Plante & Moran to its annual list of the Top 100 Leadership Development Programs. We ranked first in the “small-to-midsize organizations” and “large consulting groups” categories.
Community Involvement
For the past few years, Plante & Moran's Grand Rapids, Mich., office has participated in the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure Walk in Grand Rapids. In 2008, 35 walkers from the office raised more than $9,300 for the organization, more money than any other team.
Grand Rapids also selects a charity to raise money for each Christmas. In 2008, we selected the Kid’s Food Basket, a hunger-relief organization in Grand Rapids targeting children.
In addition, Grand Rapids office staff sponsored and worked on a LEED certified Habitat for Humanity house. We’ve adopted Fish Ladder Park, which is directly adjacent to our office, and will be working on beautification projects. When we moved into the new office space, we donated a significant number of office furnishings, from tables and chairs to computer stands and book cases, to local charities in Grand Rapids, where they will enjoy a useful second life.
The Grand Rapids office also participates in any firmwide community service initiatives. For 2008-2009, Plante & Moran offices are working with an organization to send care packages to U.S. troops fighting overseas. Each office is donating snacks, condiments, games, and toiletries and working together to assemble these care packages to send them off to our troops.
Sustainability
All of us at Plante & Moran, including our Grand Rapids, Mich., location, have long prided ourselves on being responsible corporate and community citizens, so it’s only natural that we adopt an even stronger environmentally friendly and sustainable approach going forward. We’ve made significant strides in the areas of building design and furnishings, energy efficiency, paper conservation, and environmental awareness/waste reduction. Here are just a few of the initiatives currently in place:
- Each staff has work tools that allow remote access and document sharing from different locations. This has reduced gas consumption and provided greater flexibility while improving collaboration.
- We’re increasing our use of recycled paper products, including our firm letterhead and new firm brochure. As we update existing literature and add new pieces, we’re using recycled content and Forest Stewardship Council certified paper where possible.
- Appliances, printers, copiers and laptops are Energy Star rated.
- Our office is equipped with occupancy sensors for thermostats and lighting
- Seventy-five percent of occupied spaces receive daylighting
- The office offers pedestrian access, access to public transportation, and we have designated parking spaces for fuel-efficient vehicles and expectant moms.
- Efficient plumbing fixtures have enabled 42 percent reduction in water use, and energy-efficient features have resulted in 20% reduction in energy use
