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Apr 05, 2024

From City Hall to Main Street, customers reducing energy use and saving money with energy efficiency upgrades

Patti Olenick Energy efficiency coordinator for Black Hills Energy Local government and small businesses are important pillars of every community. Local government provides vital services like public

Patti OlenickEnergy efficiency coordinator for Black Hills Energy

Local government and small businesses are important pillars of every community. Local government provides vital services like public safety and maintaining streets and roads, as well as amenities, such as parks and open space. Small businesses drive the local economy, creating employment opportunities and shaping the community’s culture. They provide places to eat, drink and shop and help to attract tourists while supporting our neighbors and community.

Local government and small businesses in Cañon City and nearby communities have something else in common – they have been working hard to improve energy efficiency through the Small Business Direct Install (SBDI) program, through Black Hills Energy. There are opportunities for more organizations to participate.

So far this year city government, small businesses, and business property owners here in Cañon City have taken advantage of the SBDI program to make needed energy efficiency upgrades. These organizations have:

One of the biggest energy efficiency successes of the year is Cañon City itself. Through the SDBI program, Cañon City saved more than $200,000 in material costs. They combined these incentives with a rebate for the labor to install the equipment, which was installed by city employees. The city was able to complete five projects in just a few months, at no cost to taxpayers, all through the SBDI program. The upgrades will reduce energy usage by 138,261 kWh, resulting in annual electric cost savings of more than $33,000, and reduce the city’s CO2 emissions by 95 metric tons.

“It’s a great program — now that it’s done, it’s all savings from here on out,” said Jim Johnson, Fleet and Facilities Director for Cañon City. “It saves the taxpayer money and works out really well for us.”

The projects completed include:

In Florence, the SBDI program has played a role in the successful repurposing of the historic Florence High School building as the Emergent Campus, the new, larger home of Fremont Economic Development Corp.’s Techstart Program. . Emergent Campus is now home to 17 businesses with over 70 employees who live in Fremont County, and has provided countless intern and apprentice opportunities to students in our local high schools.

Earlier this year Brad Rowland, partner and general manager of the Emergent Campus, wanted to upgrade lighting in the gyms, hallways, and outdoor spaces, and contacted Black Hills Energy to learn more. Brad worked with the advisors of the program to upgrade bulbs and fixtures, resulting in $14,000 in material cost incentives, and reducing energy usage by 35,061 kWh, resulting in annual electric cost savings of more than $4,500. And there are still opportunities for future projects in the gymnasium and exterior of the building.

Improvements included:

Taking advantage of the Small Business Direct Install (SBDI) program is simple, but it makes a big impact – here’s how it works:

Sign up for a free assessment. Eligible businesses sign up for a free energy assessment and a qualified energy advisor visits the business to provide a report on recommended energy-efficiency upgrades, including available incentives.

Receive a free direct install. Qualified businesses receive free energy saving products, like LEDs, energy saving water devices and more. The energy advisor can install these for free.

Work with a registered trade ally to make recommended upgrades. Based on the assessment, the energy advisor provides a report of recommended energy efficiency upgrades that qualify for incentives and connects the business with a registered trade ally to get started. The trade allies have received training from Black Hills Energy employees and provide business owners with set pricing for the recommended upgrades, as well as with other recommendations for other beneficial comfort and safety improvements.

Interested in participating in the Small Business Direct Install program? The Royal Gorge Chamber of Commerce, Fremont County Economic Development Corporation and Black Hills Energy are partnering to offer a lunch and learn Aug. 10. The lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Abbey, 2951 U.S. 50 in Cañon City. Call the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance at 719-275-2331. Or, visit https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/efficiency-and-savings/small-business-direct-install-program to learn more and apply for a free assessment.

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