The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that it will be providing green certification scholarships to local businesses.

The grants come as part of the Green Plus program, a national sustainability education, networking and certification program that was started in Chapel Hill in 2006.

The Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Duke Energy and the Park Foundation, among others, to provide the grants to ensure smaller employers can take advantage of Green Plus.

“In the 21st century, sustainability is really another word for competitiveness,” said Aaron Nelson, president and CEO of the chamber.

Chamber members with less than 500 employees are eligible to apply by March 31.