Arvest Bank Sets Gold Standard

When nominations for the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s third annual “Greenest Office” competition began to trickle in, one thing became crystal-clear: Businesses of all shapes and sizes are going all-in with sustainability.

And by sustainability, we mean more than windows and walls.  A tough and knowledgeable panel of judges scrutinized entrants’ policies, practices and people during the process of determining winners.

Speaking of winners, the Arvest Bank branch on Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville was the judges’ unanimous pick as this year’s overall Greenest Office exemplar. The Arvest branch was a relatively easy choice, the judges said, largely because of its Gold LEED certification – announced for the first time here.

The other category winners were: Benchmark Group (a company with more than 50 employees), Brick Street Botanical LLC (a company with less than 50 employees), Clubhaus Fitness Centers Inc. (a company occupying a commissioned space), and Natural Building Solutions (a company that is a tenant).

The judges – Nick Brown of the University of Arkansas, Mark Cloud of HP Engineering Inc., and Kevin Igli of Tyson Foods Inc. – deserve much of the credit for making this endeavor a successful one. Their donations of time, thought and expertise are as appreciated as they were essential.

Also essential to the process are all the companies that participated. They, too, are part of our higher aim, which is to celebrate the businesses in our little corner of the world that practice sustainability as matters of both thrift and virtue.

It is our hope we’ll find even more worthy entrees next year, companies ready to push all of their green chips into the middle of the table.

We know you’re out there.