HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- By upgrading a lighting system, purchasing high-efficiency manufacturing equipment, or installing solar power systems and vegetated roofs, a small business can improve its competitive advantage against by reducing energy consumption and cutting costs, said Governor Edward G. Rendell today.
The Governor today said 48 small businesses across the state will receive $300,000 in Small Business Advantage Grants to incorporate innovative technologies that improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.
"The high costs of electricity and fuel are affecting all of us," said Governor Rendell. "From families to small businesses to large corporations, these rising costs are making it harder to stretch a budget or earn a profit, but there are steps that we can take. These innovative firms recognize that and they are making the investments necessary to use energy in a smarter fashion, which means lower expenses and higher margins."
The Governor pointed to IBS Inc. of King of Prussia, Montgomery County, as an example. The commercial printer will install a $73,000 high-efficiency lighting system that will more than pay for itself within 2 years, and save the company $310,000 over 10 years.
The lighting system will cut related electricity consumption by more than 56 percent and will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants by 229 tons.
Helping small businesses better manage rising energy prices is critical because of the importance these firms play in Pennsylvania's economy, said Governor Rendell. The state's 264,000 small businesses employ nearly 2 million people and annually pay more than $19 million in salaries.
"The Small Business Advantage Grants are an investment in our economic and environmental well-being," said Governor Rendell. "By reducing our dependence on foreign fuels, we are keeping more of our energy dollars here at home where they can be used to invest and grow our economy. And by using less electricity, we are preventing dangerous pollutants from reaching the air that can harm our health and our climate."
The Small Business Advantage Grants program provides a 50-percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy consumption, promote pollution prevention, and increase profitability. Examples include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, motion sensors that shut off lights when rooms are empty, and auxiliary power units that allow long-haul truckers to turn off engines during layovers and still have heat and electricity.
Since Governor Rendell launched the Small Business Advantage Grants program in July 2004, almost $3.5 million has been awarded through 662 grants across the state.
The grants announced today will leverage more than $900,000 in private investments.
"Energy efficiency is becoming a top priority for businesses and homeowners alike with the price of fuel near record highs and electricity rates expected to jump by double- and triple-digit figures across the state in less than two and a half years," said Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty. "By making smart energy choices and deploying innovative conservation technologies, these businesses are keeping our environment clean and improving their profitability."
Energy conservation and efficiency are key components of Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy, which would provide new tools and resources so businesses and residential consumers can annually save $1 billion in energy costs over the next decade. The plan will also provide critical investments to attract new economic development opportunities in the rapidly growing alternative and renewable energy industries, while supporting homegrown fuels that reduce our dependence imported oil.
The Small Business Advantage Grant Program is open to small business owners whose business or facility is located in Pennsylvania. An eligible applicant must be a for-profit business enterprise that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity that has no more than 100 employees and is a separate legal business entity at the time the application is submitted. Applicants may be manufacturers or service providers.
For more information, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/, keyword: Small Business Advantage Grant Program. For more information on the Energy Independence Strategy, visit the same Web site and click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a list of the 48 Small Business Advantage Grants projects, by county.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Tana Ethiopian Cuisine LLC - $5,098 for upgraded kitchen equipment to reduce energy costs through energy conservation.
Dixon Automotive - $4,307 for alternate fuel heating system that will burn waste oil.
Dale H. Peifer - $4,050 for an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers.
Fox Chapel Dry Cleaners - $7,500 for a high-efficiency boiler to conserve energy.
BEAVER COUNTY
Halfhill Trucking - $7,500 for an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers.
Rick Macklin Trucking- $7,500 for an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers.
BLAIR COUNTY
Banks Properties - $7,500 for architectural insulation.
CENTRE COUNTY
Mac-Namara Trucking Inc. - $7,500 for an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers.
CHESTER COUNTY
Yellow Springs Farm LLC - $7,500 for photovoltaic system to reduce electricity consumption and conserve energy.
CLINTON COUNTY
Tripp's Grill - $1,925 for high-efficiency refrigeration equipment to conserve energy.
CRAWFORD COUNTY
Inlet Tool Inc. - $7,500 for ground source heat pump system to augment and upgrade HVAC to conserve energy.
DELAWARE COUNTY
King's Automotive Inc - $4,917 for waste oil burner and furnace to conserve energy through use of alternate fuels.
ERIE COUNTY
JAC Bell's Co. - $7,500 for upgraded lighting and new fixtures to conserve energy.
Bello's Shurefine - $4,300 for upgraded lighting and new fixtures to conserve energy.
Belmart - $900 for upgraded lighting and new fixtures to conserve energy.
Bridal Elegance - $4,650 for upgraded lighting and new fixtures to conserve energy.
New York Lunch - $2,420 for restaurant equipment upgrade to conserve energy.
Brugger Funeral Home - $7,500 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs.
Lorie's Wildwood Restaurant - $7,500 for upgraded lighting, kitchen equipment, and heat recovery equipment to conserve energy.
Automation Devices - $7,500 for high-efficiency milling and lathe machines to conserve energy.
Chido's Drycleaners Inc. - $7,500 for a high-efficiency dry cleaning machine to conserve energy and prevent pollution.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Olson and Olson Inc. - $7,500 for a high-efficiency solvent recycling center to recapture product and prevent pollution.
GREENE COUNTY
Morgan Properties Mgmt. LP - $7,375 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs.
Direct Results BSP Inc. - $5,657 for upgraded lighting with individual fixtures to conserve energy.
JUNIATA COUNTY
Simplicitea - $7,248 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs.
LACKAWANNA COUNTY
Robert Ditchkus - $4,750 for an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers.
LANCASTER COUNTY
Conestoga Wood Transportation Inc. - $7,500 for an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers.
LAWRENCE COUNTY
Ferrante Upholstering and Carpeting - $6,450 for lighting and insulation upgrades and a waste oil heater that conserves energy through use of an alternative fuel.
LEHIGH COUNTY
Lehigh Valley Refrigerated Transport Inc. - $7,500 for equipment to produce biodiesel from waste vegetable oil to be used as fuel for ice delivery vehicles.
MERCER COUNTY
Jackson Center Dairy Queen - $7,500 for high-efficiency refrigeration equipment to reduce energy costs through energy conservation.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
IBS Inc. - $7,500 for upgraded lighting with individual motion sensors to control new fixtures to conserve energy.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Al's Cleaners - $7,500 for a high-efficiency boiler to conserve energy.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Keystone Pallet and Recycling LLC - $7,500 for two portable recycling collection units to save on fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sunbury Market House - $7,500 for a high-efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy.
PERRY COUNTY
One-Stop Communications - $2,174 for heating and air conditioning upgrades to conserve energy.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
BluPath Design Inc. - $7,500 for an energy-efficient boiler and prevegetated, modular green roof system.
Forty West Evergreen LP - $6,603 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
PIKE COUNTY
Charles H. Worzel Jr. - $4,820 for an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers.
POTTER COUNTY
Mark Germino Agency Inc. - $7,500 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Lumber Jack and Jill Tree Service - $7,500 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
SNYDER COUNTY
Schreck's Custom Trim Finishing Inc. - $6,751 for a new outdoor furnace.
Loving Care Personal Care Home - $7,500 for a high-efficiency boiler to upgrade to a tankless water heater system to conserve energy.
TIOGA COUNTY
The Wren's Nest - $4,000 for high-efficiency kitchen equipment to conserve energy.
WARREN COUNTY
AllSound Recording - $7,500 for printing equipment that will reduce waste streams, reduce the environmental impacts of wastes produced, and conserve energy.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY
Carbone's Restaurant - $6,153 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
Banco Business Park - $7,500 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
Rupp & Fiore Insurance - $1,675 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
MULTIPLE COUNTIES
Philipsburg True Value - $5,552 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
CONTACT:
Neil Weaver (DEP)
717-787-1323
Mark Shade
717-783-1116
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
