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Surrounded by a couch made of recycled paper, LED light bulbs, portable solar panels and environment education games for children, Urban Solar Solutions owner Ellen McBarnette urged support for small businesses creating green jobs in Prince George's.

"Power to the people" is the company's rallying cry, as it seeks to teach people about green living and offers green products. McBarnette said her goal in establishing Urban Solar Solutions was to combine entrepreneurship with social activism.

McBarnette spoke at a press conference at her Edmonston business along with other owners of green businesses. They hope to attract more to the environmental movement through such events and other outreach initiatives.

"This is a really exciting time to be involved in the climate and clean energy movement," said Keith Harrington, an organizer with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. The group is devoted to fighting global warming through action in the Washington, D.C., region. "Green business is vital to ensuring the health of our economy."

Hilleary Topercer of Clean Currents in Rockville told business representatives that her company will connect them with alternative electricity providers to replace their Pepco or Baltimore Gas & Electric sources.

"We preach that if you save energy, you save money," Topercer said, adding that some businesses have saved up to $100,000 through switching electricity sources. Clean Currents hopes to add 40 jobs through federal stimulus money.

Topercer also referred to Montgomery County legislation that rewards energy consumers for adopting more environmentally friendly practices. Prince George's recently received enabling state legislation to offer its own tax credits for green businesses.

Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-Dist. 25) of Mitchellville said the law not only offers incentives to green businesses that locate in the county, but encourages them to hire locally.

"We need to keep labor in the mix," Braveboy said. "There's a lot of opportunity in Prince George's to tap into our wealthy resources."

McBarnette said the county's Economic Development Corp. already helped her hire seven employees since coming to the county this year. Among her favorite store products are the electronic devices that measure how much electricity goes into a single power strip or an area of the building. She also provides monthly green workshops, some catered specifically to businesses.

Her company joins the current green business in the area, Community Forklift, which sells home improvement supplies it collects from deconstructed houses and other sources.

"We may be becoming a green business shopping center," said Ruthie Mundell, outreach director for Community Forklift, adding how Community Forklift customers are the same people who are interested in the products McBarnette sells. "We're starting to see more traditional buildings go green."