DENVER — The Metropolis of Denver needs to present native small companies a leg up when going inexperienced, and is now accepting purposes for the second spherical of its Certifiably Inexperienced Denver Fairness Funding.
Chosen ladies and minority-owned companies can obtain as much as $10,000 to put money into vitality effectivity, water conservation, useful resource administration or sustainable transportation.
Las Hijas de la Chilanga, a small Mexican restaurant in Denver, was amongst 37 companies to obtain funding in this system’s first spherical final 12 months. Proprietor Ivonne Bringas was in a position to improve to Vitality Star fridges and freezers, which she stated has helped her enterprise’ backside line alongside, with the planet.
“I now save on vitality and on my electrical energy payments,” Bringas stated in Spanish. “I additionally save on repairs. And with the financial savings I’ve now, I can put money into my workers.”
Emily Gedeon, director of communications and engagement for Denver’s Workplace of Local weather Motion, Sustainability and Resiliency, stated the aim of the grants is to take away the upfront value obstacles that stop small companies from investing in sustainability.
“What’s actually nice concerning the Certifiably Inexperienced Denver Fairness Funding program is that the grants present cash upfront to small companies, so they can purchase new gear proper off the bat,” Gedeon stated. “They’re not ready throughout a niche interval to get that funding. They’ll get the funding for the brand new gear, purchase it and be off to the races — lower your expenses and simply be a greener operation.”
The town sees native companies as important companions in reaching its local weather targets, which embody eliminating greenhouse fuel emissions citywide by the 12 months 2040. It has $200,000 allotted to award in grants this 12 months, with the potential for extra funding.
“It actually makes a huge impact on Denver’s sustainability purpose as an entire, as a result of [the businesses] are lowering the quantity of vitality they’re utilizing and all that, and so they’re being examples inside the group,” Gedeon stated. “It’s type of a win-win. It’s an instantaneous win, and we see it as a win into the long run, too.”
Bringas recommends her fellow small enterprise homeowners apply for the grant. The method was easy, she stated, and her enterprise continues to reap the rewards.
“Since we’re a small enterprise, we don’t have lots of revenue. We now have lots of bills,” Bringas stated. “The cash that I save I now pay to my workers, so now they make a little bit bit extra, they’re happier, and I don’t should be paying for service repairs.”
Functions for the Certifiably Inexperienced Denver Fairness Funding are being accepted now, and town will start awarding grants this summer season. You possibly can be taught extra on the Workplace of Local weather Motion, Sustainability and Resiliency’s web site.
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