April 27, 2007 -- Rita Canady, deputy director of the Department of Labor & Economic Growth, today announced that Stafford's Perry Hotel, located in Petoskey has earned Green Lodging Michigan Leader certification.

Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving ‘green' practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

"This important accreditation is like the Good Housekeeping seal of environmental responsibility," said Canady. "It validates the hotelier's commitment to ‘green' business practices and that environmental and economic goals are a top priority. GLM is also helping to ensure the viability of our lodging facilities and the thousands of related hospitality jobs that stay in Michigan."

Stafford's Perry Hotel implemented several environmental initiatives at the facility such as recently installing new high efficiency boilers and water heaters; developing a comprehensive recycling program throughout the facility in cooperation with Emmet County Recycling, and using low-flow faucets, showerheads, and fixtures to conserve water. Stafford's Perry Hotel also conducts employee training on environmental initiatives and educates the community about the hotel's environmental efforts.

"We made the commitment to Go Green for many reasons, including lessening our negative impact on the environment and the long term savings we will achieve as a result of our conservation projects," said David P. Marvin, General Manager at Perry's Stafford Hotel. "We look forward to working with other hotels in Northern Michigan to help them get set up as well."

GLM is a joint effort between DLEG and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to encourage the lodging industry to conserve and protect the state's natural resources while increasing marketability and lowering utility costs.

"GLM is a relatively new way to involve hoteliers in the effort to help Michigan continue as the leader in environmental beauty and abundant natural resources," said Steven E. Chester, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

GLM is a voluntary and non-regulatory certification program offered through the Michigan Energy Office in DLEG to hoteliers at no charge. The Michigan Energy Office and the DEQ provide technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing "green" strategies and earning certification. The GLM program certifies facilities based on environmental initiatives such as air quality, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, toxic waste management, water conservation, purchasing and communication. There are three levels of certification: Partner, Steward, and Leader, which can be earned by completing a self-assessment checklist and achieving a minimum number of requirements and points.

The Michigan Energy Office promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development to Michigan's residents, businesses, and public institutions. For more information about the Green Lodging Michigan program and to download the GLM application packet and self-assessment checklist, visit the website at www.michigan.gov/greenlodging.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.