Mini-Grants with Maximum Impact

This year, five income-qualifying businesses in the Better Business Challenge were able to advance energy savings and other green business practices that would otherwise not have been possible through our Mini-Grant Program in partnership with Charlottesville’s Office of Economic Development (OED). And the impact is anything but mini!

Additional Funding Helps a Growing Businesses Make Decisions for the Long Term

Energy efficient choices sometimes requires more upfront costs. But the cost-savings over time can benefit a business that is focused on growing their bottom line. “Too often are there are businesses who know what they need to be sustainable for the future, but don’t have the funds at the right time to make a large purchase,” says Zoie Smith, Minority Business Development Coordinator for the City’s OED. Sometimes it just takes a little boost to enable a small business to make a cost-savings investment.

This was the case for Jessie and Fernando Dizon, owners of Little Manila and Manila Street. Moving into their first restaurant location after many successful years as a food truck was exciting. But expensive. Like any smart business owner, the Dizons looked to find affordable products to outfit the commercial kitchen that would be their new home-base. Many of the products they were able to find and purchase fit their needs well. But when it came time to purchase an under-the-counter refrigerator, they just couldn’t find an option that wouldn’t break the bank.

C3 worked with the Dizons to research what efficient models were the most affordable, prioritizing refrigerators that are Energy Star certified (which are at least 20% more energy efficient). Rather than purchasing a used, older model that fit their budget, the BBC Mini-Grant funds were able to pay the difference -- giving them a brand-new Energy Star refrigerator. Zoie commented that “this refrigerator for their new location in Dairy Central allows Manila Street to make better business decisions in the future. New and energy efficient equipment is essential for minority-owned businesses who want to expand their operations.”

Fernando and Jessie Dizon, owners of Little Manila

“Claire and the Climate Collaborative team worked with us to find the right solution for our business. Their focus was to find the best item to fit our business while also creating lasting benefits in savings while also helping the environment! Thank you all so much for all you’ve done for our small business and the planet.”

–Fernando & Jessie Dizon, Little Manila Restaurant and Food Truc

Shalice Brown, owner of Loyal Beyond Beauty

Educating Clients on Climate Another Plus

When Shalice Brown, owner of Loyal Beyond Beauty applied for the BBC Mini-Grant she told us, “I hope to reduce the environmental footprint of my business and to introduce my customers and peers to energy conservation practices in salon settings; hopefully, creating buy-in for future, greater measures.”

To lower energy consumption from the salon’s hair drying systems, the BBC Mini-Grant funded the purchase of a new, eco-model hair dryer to get the job done faster. Paired with an APC smart plug, this new hair dryer will cut energy-costs while still delivering quality service. 

We worked with Shalice to pin-point other areas of the salon that are used most often, namely the hair washing faucets. So we rounded out the efficiency product upgrades with EcoHeads for her hair sink, which can save up to 65% on water and energy use.

Brenda Pendleton, owner of Mixed Beauty Bar

Focus on Health & Safety Can Include Energy Efficiency

Brenda Pendleton, owner of Mixed Beauty Bar, also applied to our program with the goal of saving energy and helping others do the same. Similar to Loyal Beyond Beauty, Brenda (Mixed Beauty Bar) was awarded the eco-model hair dryer, APC smart plug, and two EcoHead attachments for both salon sinks.

At Mixed Beauty Bar’s site visit, we also noticed Brenda’s air purifier working overtime to keep the indoor air quality healthy and safe - from both the Coronavirus and hair processing chemicals.  Regularly replacing filters keeps purifiers working with the greatest efficiency, so the BBC Mini-Grant funded the purchase of filter replacements for an entire year. Now Brenda can keep her salon operating with health, safety, and efficiency in mind.

Efficient Lighting is Always a Bright Idea

LED bulbs can be 75% more energy efficient than the traditional incandescent bulb. That’s huge potential to save energy and money. That’s why the BBC Mini-Grant awarded Soul Food Joint with funds to upgrade all lighting fixtures to LEDs. Batteries+Bulbs conducted a lighting assessment for the restaurant and worked with Shaun Jenkins, owner of Soul Food Joint, to determine which LED bulbs were most appropriate for the space and its ambiance. Once the bulb order was placed, C3 contracted Eric Gaines of Wire ‘Em Up Electric to do the electrical work to install.

When Soul Food Joint opens at full capacity when restrictions loosen (with live music outside, by the way) – they’ll be operating with greater energy efficiency than ever before thanks to this LED lighting upgrade! 

Energy Efficiency is Everyone’s Business

Ryan Washington, owner of ROW Services, is in the business of keeping homes running efficiently. With a focus on preventative maintenance, ROW Services provides residential customers with bi-annual check-ups to ensure their HVAC systems are operating in optimal condition. Not only does this extend the life of an HVAC system - it can also save up to 15% on energy consumption while heating and cooling your home.

To assist Ryan in elevating his customer’s energy-savings, the BBC Mini-Grant awarded Row Services five programmable thermostats, which can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by adjusting the temperature 7°-10°F above/below regular settings for the season. A thermostat that makes these adjustments for you makes climate action simple. Since energy burden impacts families with lower incomes the most, ROW Services will provide these thermostats at no cost for LMI households. Ryan will still be able to charge these customers for his labor to continue growing his business, but with the Charlottesville Gas Programmable Thermostat Rebate, customers can save (on the install) up to $150. 

Green Business is What We Do

C3’s Better Business Challenge is all about empowering Charlottesville’s commercial sector to take climate action. Green business is what we do. These five BBC Mini-Grant award winners are among 70 other businesses competing in the 2020-2021 Better Business Challenge. In June other award winners and the Better Business Challenge Champions will be announced. Find out more about the Challenge at cvillebizchallenge.org.