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The Future of Galesburg's Sustainable Business Center

http://www.sustainablebusinesscenter.com

The “Green Team’s” goal is to promote local eco-friendly businesses in the Galesburg area. Its latest meeting included two people with ties to the city’s Sustainable Business Center.

At Carl Sandburg College around ten people took part in the meeting.

Sitting at one of the tables was Kristi Howell, the new director of the Sustainable Business Center. Just behind her, in a sharp business suit, sat the center's former director, Eric Dilts.

Dilts left the position in June to become a  financial advisor with Morgan Stanley based in Peoria.

Howell was appointed as director last month. She said she found the position through "creative google searching."

Howell moved from Kentucky to Galesburg about about thirty days ago.

She said moving to the Midwest was a goal of hers, after growing up and living in the south for some time.

Howell said that Dilts had helped with her transition to Galesburg.

"I've been very fortunate  to have Eric's really comprehensive knowledge not just of the current clients but of the make-up of the region, to help me get my feet under me as I go," She said.

Howell said she brings experience in community education and working with higher education institutions to her role as director. Dilts said that he had experience working with businesses, but Howell is better suited to conduct outreach the wider community.

"With Kristy's background I think she'll do a phenomenal job with that," Dilts said.

Howell said that while the center is always in the process of trying to add new clients to the SBC, her underlying mission is to prove that sustainability makes sense and is needed in rural America.

Scott Stuntz is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.