West Paw Design Becomes First Benefit Corporation in Montana

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West Paw Design is now a Certified B Corp and a Benefit Corporation following Montana’s legalization of businesses filing as such.

On October 1, Montana became the 29th state permitting businesses to file as a Benefit Corporation.

“By allowing entrepreneurs to incorporate as a Benefit Corporation, we’re providing an additional tool to support economic development in Montana, while allowing companies to improve their communities,” said Montana governor Steve Bullock.

West Paw Design became a Certified B Corp in 2013 and supported the legislation with employee testimonials at Montana’s State Senate.

“Becoming the first company to file as a Benefit Corporation in Montana is exciting for myself and the team at West Paw Design,” said Spencer Williams, owner and president of West Paw Design. “We are excited to further our commitment and join other Benefit Corporations, such as Patagonia and King Arthur Flour, who have committed their businesses to doing good for the world.”

A B Corp is a company that must be certified by the nonprofit B Lab and meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

Benefit Corporations must operate to provide a “general public benefit,” which is defined in the enabling statute as “a material, positive impact on society and the environment, taken as a whole, as assessed against a third-party standard, from the business and operations of a benefit corporation.”