12 Small Businesses Slash Emissions and Save Money

Sarah from Scrappy Elephant, one of our 2023 EEG winners

Energy Efficiency Grants

At C3, we strive to engage local organizations of all shapes and sizes in taking action to reduce their climate impact. With our larger partners in the Green Business Alliance, this involves a lot of coaching and data-crunching as they continue progress on their deep emissions reduction goals. For non-profit and community partners, we offer professional services to help identify energy-saving opportunities and navigate the jungle of financial rebates and incentives to help put them into action.

For small businesses, we recognize that every minute and dollar is precious. This can make it difficult to find the time and resources to reduce your energy or carbon footprint, or even know where to start. With our Energy Efficiency Grants program, we work directly with small, minority-owned businesses to identify the most impactful opportunities for energy savings, and award energy efficiency upgrades that will benefit the grant winners for years to come. The best part about this program is working hand in hand with each business owner to determine their needs, and match those needs with impactful upgrades that will save them energy and operating costs every month. This process results in better working conditions, dollars back into the business, and less carbon in the atmosphere.

2023 Energy Efficiency Grant Winners

We’ve been hard at work with our 2023 grant recipients, and are thrilled to introduce this year’s winners. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners! This is such a fantastic group of businesses that helps form the very fabric of our community.

Scrappy Elephant | Art Supply Store | New lights for art studio, programmed thermostat

Renee's Boutique | Clothing Boutique | New washer/dryer

Sombreros Restaurant | Restaurant | New sandwich station with eco-friendly refrigerant, 70% energy savings

Evolve Body Sculpting | Non-invasive body treatments | Air purifiers, LEDs, smart power strips, solar film

Mixed Beauty Bar | Hair Studio | Air purifiers, LEDs, weather stripping, solar film

Sir Speedy | Sign Fabrication | New LED lights for sign shop

Natre'al Hair Design | Hair Salon | LED Lights, smart thermostat

Style & Beyond | Hair Studio | Ductless heat pump, by Beck Cohen

Krissy Cakes | Baking | New Energy Star commercial freezer

Bald and Beautyful | Skin/Hair Care Products | New Energy Star Dishwasher

NY Fashion | Beauty Supply | LED bulbs and fixtures, smart thermostat

Royalty Eats | Restaurant | Smart thermostat, LED lights, new steam table to replace high-energy electric buffet

Collective Impact

The Energy Efficiency Grants delivered more than $5,000 of projected annual energy cost savings back to the businesses! Collectively, this year’s grants included:

$20,000 total awarded to 12 small, minority-owned businesses
Upgrades for: included

LED lights upgrades
Smart thermostats
Premium-efficiency commercial appliances
A 20-SEER heat pump, discounted over 50% by local sponsor Beck Cohen
Plus: Smart power strips, door weatherization, window films, and air purifiers

15,000 kgCO2e greenhouse gas reduction. Equates to ~1,700 gallons of gasoline avoided.

Our Awardees

“C3 switched up my light switches so that the studio lights are on a separate switch… We were [also] able to program the existing [thermostat]... These simple acts cut my electric bill by 50%! Thank you for this money saving, energy saving advice C3!”

- Sarah Sweet, Owner, Scrappy Elephant

“It’s just wonderful… since we got the energy-efficient prep station, our regular tasks are a lot easier. We really appreciate your time, effort, and support towards our business.”

- Bernardo and Lucrecia Martinez, Owners, Sombrero’s

“Our lightning upgrade has cut our electric cost in our sign shop by over 25%. But more importantly, with the proper color, temperature and brightness of the lighting, we’re able to more accurately color match our signs and banners, which has eliminated the cost of rework and allowed us to deliver on projects faster.”

- Conan Owen, Owner, Sir Speedy Charlottesville

“I am still in awe of how seamless the process was and for the amazing generosity that has impacted my business greatly. Coles also provided me some wonderful [advice] of other energy efficient tips and appliances to help my family and my business.”

- Crystal Napier, Owner & Stylist, Renee’s Boutique

Community Partners

Almost everything we do at C3 receives vital help from community partners, and this program is no exception. A very special thanks to our partners this year: