By : Andrew M. Seder
Source : http://www.timesleader.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Five Luzerne County businesses have been awarded state grants to help pay for energy efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.
The grants from the Department of Environmental Protection are among 31 issued statewide.
Most of the local businesses are using the funds, which must be matched dollar-for-dollar, on flood damage-related upgrades and repairs.
Austie’s Family Restaurant, Hanover Township, will receive $9,500 to replace a heating and air conditioning unit and lighting with more energy efficient systems. It requested $25,535 from the state.
Skovish Brothers Pools & Spas, Shickshinny, will get $8,970 to upgrade or replace light fixtures, an air conditioning unit, insulation and a furnace. It requested $17,940.
Screen Printing USA, Mountain Top, will receive $5,550 to install a gas hydronic heating system and an energy efficient boiler. It requested $11,100.
Jake’s Outpost, Shickshinny, will get $3,500 to replace an oil heating system with an energy efficient natural gas heating system. It requested $7,000.
RE Realty LLC, Exeter, will get $3,122 to replace two flood-damaged furnaces with a high-efficiency unit at a property it owns at 428 N. Main St. in Pittston. It requested $6,244.
Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program began in 2004 and is funded by the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act. It provides small businesses with fewer than 100 employees a 50-percent matching reimbursement grant to implement projects that will save $1,000 in addition to 25 percent of annual pollution prevention or energy-related costs. Since its inception, the program has invested $6.1 million in 1,571 small businesses statewide.
Possible projects include installing a high-efficiency HVAC system, upgrading insulation, investing in high-efficiency lighting, setting up energy efficient heat pumps and employing auxiliary power units to improve air quality and save fuel through reduced engine idling by large trucks during layovers and delays.
Source : http://www.timesleader.com/business/Local_businesses_given_DEP_grants_03-09-2012.html
