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Posts Tagged ‘Rick Minard’

Adding a Little Sunshine to Miles Smith Farm

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

Here’s some great news from a friend of the No Bull Business Blog, Miles Smith Farm:

Grass-fed beef, land leased out to keep it green and an anticipated soon-to-arrive windmill allow Miles Smith Farm to rightfully lay claim for being environmentally friendly and fiscally sound.  That new bright spot at Miles Smith Farm, however, will be a solar powered green store.

miles-smith-storesignIn 2010, Miles Smith Farm was awarded a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant to help produce solar thermal energy for the new farm store to be added to the south side of the Miles Smith Farm barn. The NH Community Loan Fund also provided Miles Smith Farm with a loan and grant to help with the project to make the 1850s barn solar efficient.  Solar collectors on the roof of the barn will provide hot water to heat a concrete slab on the floor of the new store, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.

“We are creating a 100% solar store,” said Miles Smith Farm owner Carole Soule.  “Solar will be the only source of heat and electricity.  We know our ‘eco-efforts’ will pay off in many ways.”

The benefits are plentiful on both the environmental and financial sides.  The combination of having a super-insulated retail space and a photovoltaic system to offset power needs will save an estimated $890 per year in electricity costs.  In addition, the estimated 5,400 kWh of solar power generated each year avoids an estimated 3.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is the equivalent of 362 gallons of gasoline or 7.5 barrels of oil.

Replacing the electric heaters in the sales room extension off the barn with a solar thermal system is estimated to save the farm another $800-plus per year.  This savings further equates to reducing 3.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide—the equivalent carbon sequestered by 79.6 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

“The Community Loan Fund is proud to be financing the Miles Smith Farm solar store.  The energy efficiency built into this old barn should be great for the business, its customers, and the environment,” said Rick Minard, the Community Loan Fund’s vice president for policy.

The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening on May 20th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Miles Smith Farm, 56 Whitehouse Road, Loudon.  Enjoy a free lunch of grilled burgers to celebrate.  For more information, visit www.milessmithfarm or call 603 783 5159.

Energy-Efficiency Loans Available for Businesses

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

 

 

 

 

A new revolving loan fund is making low-interest loans available to small businesses for energy-efficiency improvements and renewable-energy projects in their New Hampshire buildings.

Enterprise Energy Fund.  

The Enterprise Energy Fund is a low-interest loan and grant program to help finance energy improvements in buildings owned or leased by businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. The

energySmall businesses, microenterprises, nonprofits, child care providers, and owners of two- to four-unit apartment buildings are eligible to apply to the

The Enterprise Energy Fund is a low-interest loan and grant program to help finance energy improvements in buildings owned or leased by businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. The

NH Community Loan Fund will lend $1 million to small commercial businesses and nonprofits. The NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) will lend $2.5 million for larger projects.

The $3.5-million fund was created by an award by the Office of Energy and Planning’s State Energy Program, from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The majority of the funds will be loaned to businesses and nonprofits to help them reduce their energy costs and consumption.  The Community Loan Fund will administer the loans for projects under $100,000.

Loans to commercial businesses will range from $10,000 to $500,000, with terms from three to 10 years, and interest rates from 2.75% to 4%.

A small portion of the fund will pay for energy audits, provide down payments to businesses and to nonprofits that provide essential services and have been hardest hit by the recession, leverage significant private sector funds, and encourage investments in renewable energy.

All enterprises, regardless of size, are required to submit an

Initial Inquiry form on CDFA’s online grants management system. Preliminary applications submitted through April 30, 2010 will be the first group to be reviewed. Subsequent applications will be grouped and reviewed monthly thereafter until all funds are committed. Prior to accessing the Webgrants system, you will need a User ID and Password. If you have not yet registered to receive a User ID and Password, please register here For more information, please see the Enterprise Energy Fund

 

Information workshops on the new fund are scheduled for April 20 in Concord, April 28 in Littleton and May 4 in Claremont. Please register in advance.

fact sheet and Q and A on the Community Loan Fund’s Web site.

Small businesses:

Rick Minard, Vice President for Policy and Program. Nonprofits and child care:

Julie McConnell, Director, Child Care and Community Facilities Lending.

Nonprofit housing:

Mike LaFontaine, Director, Community Housing.

 

Questions? Call your contact at the Community Loan Fund, (800) 432-4110.