Tucson’s chapter of the Small Business Development Center, or SBDC, was established to assist small businesses with everything from business plan writing and marketing strategy to financial management and cost containment.

The SBDC partners with several local lenders, including mid-sized and large banks, interested in loaning money to small business owners for improvements such as energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits.

“Our goal is to help businesses succeed, and managing costs is critical,” said Ellen Kirton, Executive Director of SBDC. “Energy efficiency rebates from Tucson Electric Power have helped many of our clients improve their facilities, lower their energy costs and increase their overall profitability.”

One such client is local upholstery shop Restor-To-Nu, which the SBDC has counseled for nearly 10 years. “Ellen connected us with a TEP Energy Advisor who came on site, assessed our current lighting needs in both the office and the shop, and recommended upgrades eligible for the rebates,” said Pete Trinque, who owns the shop along with his wife, Dianne.

TEP worked with JMAC Electric to replace older florescent lighting with high-efficiency lamps and fixtures. New programmable thermostats also were installed to better manage heating and cooling. TEP provided $3,600 in rebates for these lighting and thermostat upgrades.

“We’ve realized savings in the first few months that are projected to be around $2,000 annually,” Trinque said.

TEP and the SBDC are looking forward to growing their partnership in 2016 and to helping Tucson businesses save energy and money.

For more information about the SBDC, visit http://www.azsbdc.net/ or email ellen.kirton@domail.maricopa.edu

For more information about TEP’s commercial energy efficiency rebates and incentives, visit https://www.tepcommercialenergysolutions.com/Projects/