Newton-Needham Chamber Program Helps Businesses Receive More than $2.7 Million in Energy Incentives

Newton-Needham Regional Chamber Celebrates at Breakfast with Gov. Baker

The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber recently announced that almost 200 area businesses received more than $2.7 million in incentives to fund energy-saving upgrades in the first year of the chamber’s Business Energy $avers Program.

“Massachusetts leads the nation in delivering cost-effective energy efficiency to our residents and businesses,” said Governor Charlie Baker at a recent Chamber breakfast gathering. “I applaud members of the Newton- Needham Chamber of Commerce for their participation in the Mass Save program, their collaboration with various stakeholders, and their commitment to producing important savings for local ratepayers.”

After recognizing the burden high-energy costs were having on its member companies, the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber partnered with their local vendor World Energy Efficiency Services, the City of Newton, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to launch the Business Energy $avers program. Together, the team has connected 40% of member companies to the Mass Save program to help cut down on operating costs.

Through the Newton Needham Business Energy $aver program, eligible businesses receive free energy audits, financing for upgrades, and rebates on lighting, heating, cooling and other upgrades through the Mass Save program, which is run by the local utilities.

“Energy efficiency isn’t just good for our planet, it’s good for the bottom line”, said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “We’re committed to helping local businesses and non-profits find ways to reduce unnecessary energy use while saving money at the same time.”

If your chamber is interested in helping member companies participate in this money saving energy efficiency program, please contact Diane Doucette at ddoucette@sfchamber.com.

Strengthening Area Businesses Through Energy Efficiency

Illinois Chamber Insists on Local Contractors for Utility Program

Steve Brody, the Executive Director of Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce in Illinois, did not need much convincing when he was approached by Ameren Illinois to help promote an energy efficiency retrofit program for area businesses. He was, however, adamant that Ameren identify local contractors to do the required energy audits.

“If you want our chamber to participate in this,” Brody said, “you need to get a Galesburg business involved. We want to have Galesburg businesses helping Galesburg businesses.”

Ameren found several local vendors. The chamber organized a “Galesburg on the Go” chamber luncheon about the program. The chamber itself also signed up for a free audit and ended up having virtually all of its lighting replaced at very low cost.

Overall 52 area businesses had free audits and received more than $216,000 in cash incentives to implement 79 retrofit projects that are projected to save a quarter of a million dollars. Last month, the City of Galesburg was presented with the ActOnEnergy 2013 Most Progressive City Award for embracing the efficiency program.

The Galesburg chamber is constantly looking for ways to make area businesses stronger, more profitable, Brody said. “A business needs to be as profitable as possible,” he added. “If you can be as energy efficient as possible, that goes a long way to making your business profitable.”

Interested in replicating the Galesburg program? An article about the Galesburg experience can be found here. The Galesburg chamber is here. Ameren Illinois ActonEnergy program can be found here.