Thirteen British Columbia small businesses, including one in Kimberley, will receive funding totalling $269,415 to make their creative energy-saving solutions a reality, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas.

All of the projects demonstrate innovative energy-efficiency opportunities and/or energy savings of at least 20 per cent, like the Tanglefoot Training Centre in Kimberley. It will harness energy from cardio equipment to help power the facility.

The LiveSmart BC Small Business Champion applications were evaluated on project feasibility, energy and cost savings, innovation and their benefit and value to other companies and the community.

To help encourage energy-efficiency upgrades in the business community, these small business champions will share their project ideas with their local community and businesses, so others can learn from their experience and leadership. These champions will also be featured on the LiveSmart BC website for the benefit of other small businesses throughout British Columbia.

Tanglefoot Training Centre in Kimberley is receiving $20,756 in LiveSmart funding.

This fitness facility will install new energy-harnessing cardio exercise equipment, along with wireless monitoring and display technology. The system includes elliptical trainers, upright and recumbent bikes that harness energy from the user and feed it back to the facility through an inverter, which can tie into a maximum of 10 machines. There are also treadmills that use 30 per cent less power than traditional commercial treadmill.

“Small businesses bring jobs, products and services to communities throughout the province. Through LiveSmartBC, our government is helping them save money on their monthly energy bills,” stated Coleman.

“B.C.’s green economy continues to grow through the innovation of these LiveSmart small-business champions. The creative solutions developed by these companies will lead the way to cleaner, greener partnerships in communities around the province,” added Terry Lake, Minister of Environment.

Quick facts

* This $17-million program assists business owners in saving money by reducing their energy consumption with free energy-efficiency advice, equipment and incentives. The funding for this program ends on March 31, 2013.

* Small business can receive a free assessment from Business Energy Advisors through business associations and chambers of commerce throughout the province.

* The LiveSmart BC Champion program is awarding up to $25,000 to the successful LiveSmart Small Business Champions.

* To date, LiveSmart BC has helped over 9,000 small businesses to save energy and money.

For more information, visit: https://www.livesmartbc.ca/incentives/small-business/index.html .

e-KNOW

Article Share