Are your energy costs a significant part of your operating costs? Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) knows small businesses and farmers are the backbone of New Hampshire communities, and rising energy costs are a significant burden for many business owners. PAREI and Clean Energy NH’s free technical assistance can help you assess whether your business would benefit from investing in energy efficiency or renewable energy to provide financial stability and energy savings for years to come. Technical assistance includes site visits, contractor outreach, and review of financial incentives and resources, as well as help preparing USDA Rural Energy for America Program grant applications. If saving money and energy interests you, this workshop can help you learn more. This event is cohosted by Central New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the Grafton Regional Development Corporation. This online event is free and open to all, but advance registration is required. Register HERE. Presenters: Sandra Jones, M.Ed – Sandra co-founded PAREI in 2004, served as director until 2024, and continues with the organization as programs director and solar manager. Under her leadership, PAREI developed innovative programming and partnerships such as NHSaves Button Up Workshops, the Energy Efficiency Training Program, Plymouth’s Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant, Plymouth Water and Sewer’s 121kW PV installation, NH Rural Renewables, NH Solar Shares – Solar For All, and Local Food Plymouth’s Farm-to-Community Food Share programs. Sandra’s background includes teaching, directing electoral and educational campaigns, co-owning a bicycle shop, and running a statewide career guidance program to help families move from welfare to self-sufficiency. When she’s not at PAREI, you can find Sandra skiing, biking, hiking and gardening. Craig Cadieux, Energy Advisor – Craig has more than 15 years of experience in the clean energy field. He spent 8 years with ReVision Energy as a Solar Designer, working with individuals, families, farms, and businesses to design solar, battery storage, and heat pump systems. He previously served as PAREI’s Energy Solutions Advisor. Craig has been certified by the North American Board of Solar Practitioners (NABCEP) in both Solar Electric and Solar Thermal, and he has held a number of certifications from the Building Performance Initiative (BPI) related to building efficiency. He has a strong background in designing and building net-zero and near net-zero homes, and is a strong believer that the cleanest energy is the energy that’s not used. Gabriel Chelius, Small Business Circuit Rider – Gabe joined Clean Energy NH in May of 2022, helping small businesses in the North Country access funding streams for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. In 2024, Gabe’s area of operation expanded to include helping rural small business and farmers across New Hampshire access USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funds to support investments in efficient and renewable energy sources.
