"Energy Challenges and Solutions for Business in the 21st Century" Seminar to Be Held July 28

PLATTSBURGH, NY (07/06/2009)(readMedia)-- Today's businesses face a myriad of issues adjusting to a completely new set of energy demands.

The North Country Small Business Development Center, Canton SBDC and ComLinks will host a workshop to outline the opportunities presented in adopting renewable energy and energy-efficiency models of business July 28 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at ComLinks, 343 West Main St., Malone.

The New York SBDC, in partnership with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC), has formulated an energy savings program, which will encourage business owners to implement energy efficiencies that will allow their firms to compete on a favorable basis in a global economy.

Seminar speakers Anthony Presti, program coordinator for the state SBDC Energy Savings Program, and NYSERDA representatives will detail measures that, when implemented, will produce maximum savings for the business owner. Business owners will learn how they can work with NYSERDA and SBDC advisors to:

• Implement energy efficiency projects.
• Secure the financing to achieve energy efficiency or even to build green buildings.
• Evaluate other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
• Improve environmental performance (being greener).
• Evaluate energy efficiency opportunities in all areas.
• Improve their bottom line.

Under the Energy Savings Program, an SBDC advisor reviews the NYSERDA suggested efficiencies with the business owner to analyze the potential savings of implementing the changes.

Eligibility is open to small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as industrial and commercial facilities. Participants must have less than $75,000 in annual electric bills to be eligible.

The state SBDC will subsidize one half of the cost of the NYSERDA review for the first 100 statewide clients of the program. For businesses with less than $25,000 in annual electric bills, the review fee is $100 (client share: $50). For a business with annual electric bills between $25,000 and $75,000, the review fee is $400 (client share: $200). The NYSERDA review fee will be refunded in full to the business if the owner implements the recommended measures. For example, a business owner would pay $200 and could receive back $400.

Financing options for the suggested improvements will be determined by the business owner and SBDC advisor. The New York Business Devopment Corporation is ready to work with their lending partners to provide financing for qualified businesses through the program.

There is no charge for the program, which is open to the public. However, pre-registration is required. Contact the Canton Small Business Development Center at: 315-386-7312 or e-mail sbdc@canton.edu to register and to obtain up-to-date information.

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About North Country and Canton Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

The North Country (Plattsburgh) and Canton SBDCs work one on one in a confidential setting with emerging, existing, and expanding entrepreneurs. SBDC staff members provide these services at no cost to clients in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren, and St. Lawrence counties. The North Country and Canton SBDCs are part of a statewide program funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the state of New York. Visit the North Country SBDC online at http://www.NorthCountrySBDC.org or the Canton SBDC online at http://www.canton.edu/sbdc.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rick Leibowitz, Regional Director