One of the challenges of states is to focus on funding green redevelopment through annual or biennial budgets.  Some states have taken serious measures to formulate policies that directly bolster green growth.  A comparative analysis is necessary to ascertain the direction of each of the states and to then measure cost-benefit analyses, helping to fine-tune green development programs sponsored by state and local governments in the near future.  For this reason, numbers of states actively engage in listing green products and services available inside of the state.  This increases reliance on previously developed, state-specific markets and inspires competition and entrepreneurial creation for areas not covered within the state’s green market.  Local construction companies, electricians, engineers, architects and others, consequently, can rely on a local market that caters more to local needs and depletes costs through the basic concept of competition.

Virginia has a lot to gain from viewing options from other states.  Though different, Massachusetts has enacted an Environmentally Preferable Products [EPP] Procurement Program.  The goal of the program is to outline state contracts to businesses that produce such products and make these entities searchable on the web for citizens and other businesses.  This resource makes it easier for concerted and independent development and growth, from government to small businesses, as pursued within the state.  Itemizing contracts also shows immediate areas lacking growth and needing progress.

Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality offers a similar listing; the Environmental Business Directories and Opportunities site, however, is not as focused on state purchasing for affordability but directly lists businesses recognized categorically by the Commonwealth.  In policy terms, a green business categorization paves the road for offering incentives for industry-specific growth and for local purchasing.  Establishing a local market, while somewhat protectionist at first glance, enables a national market to emerge through greater cooperative and competitive efforts.  Indeed, interstate trade will become a reality for state green market areas.  Incentives for local green development will evolve into incentives for engaging and operating on an interstate level.