Main Streets’ initiative helps small businesses receive energy assessments and drives participation in energy efficiency programs

BOSTON, MA. (July 24, 2024) – As part of their ongoing commitment to connect customers with energy saving solutions, the Sponsors of Mass Save® are partnering with nearly 90 communities across the Commonwealth through the Main Streets initiative. Launched in April and continuing through October, the initiative connects small business owners with approved contractors to schedule no-cost energy assessments and determine solutions for lowering energy use and saving money.

In 2023, the Sponsors of Mass Save visited 91 communities across the Commonwealth which resulted in more than 360 fully weatherized small businesses. Since 2022, the initiative has prioritized equitably delivering greenhouse gas reductions by partnering with historically under-resourced communities, Environmental Justice Communities, as designated by the state, and Mass Save Community First Partners.

Now into 2024, the Sponsors have expanded their multilingual marketing strategy to meet the needs of EJCs, where, according to the Office of Environmental Justice & Equity, 25 percent or more of the population may not be fluent in English. Language support is provided at in-person events, and all pre- and post-event materials (such as flyers, applications and contracts) are translated into the languages primarily spoken in those communities.

The Sponsors continue to build on these successful efforts through close collaboration with local community partners, and will be holding Main Streets events in the following towns this year:

Barnstable County: Bourne, Cotuit, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Hyannis, Marstons Mills, Mashpee, Orleans, Yarmouth

Berkshire County: Adams, Becket, Blandford, Cheshire, Dalton, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Middlefield, New Ashford, North Adams, Otis, Peru, Pittsfield, Sandisfield, Savoy, Tolland, Tyringham, Washington, Williamstown, Windsor

Bristol County: Attleboro, Dartmouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Seekonk, Swansea, Taunton, Westport

Essex County: Andover, Beverly, Gloucester, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover, Salem, Saugus

Franklin County: Buckland, Greenfield

Hampden County: Agawam, Chicopee, Springfield, West Springfield

Hampshire County: Huntington

Middlesex County: Arlington, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Everett, Framingham, Medford, Natick, Newton (Auburndale), Lexington, Lowell, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown

Norfolk County: Canton, Dedham, Franklin, Milton, Norwood, Quincy

Plymouth County: Brockton, Plymouth

Suffolk County: Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury

Worcester County: Athol, Brookfield, Gardner, Warren, West Brookfield, Winchendon, Worcester

“Small businesses are the backbones of communities across Massachusetts and deserve opportunities to improve their energy efficiency and gain a competitive edge by lowering their energy costs,” said Tilak Subrahmanian, Vice President for Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility, Eversource. “Through Main Streets, small businesses, especially those facing an undue energy burden, can maximize their savings opportunities and reduce their carbon footprints. We look forward to engaging with more businesses this year to help drive participation in energy efficiency programs.”

“When Eversource, a Mass Save Sponsor, came through with the Main Streets program, it didn’t take much time to analyze if it was worth it for us. We did an easy walkthrough to see where we could still do some energy efficiency upgrades and then scheduled the installs; it was really simple,” said John Kessen, Owner of Mamaleh’s Delicatessen. “We are thankful that the Sponsors of Mass Save are committed to energy efficiency in the bigger picture, not just within one restaurant, but in the wider community.”

Main Streets energy efficiency solutions start with a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment to identify energy-saving opportunities for small businesses, such as weatherization, insulation, occupancy sensors, programmable thermostats, refrigeration controls, lighting controls and more. Improvements like installing aerators and spray valves happen on the spot at no cost to the customer. More involved projects, like the installation of energy-efficient motor controls, are scheduled for a future date. The Sponsors of Mass Save offer increased incentives for a range of energy efficiency improvements to further offset the cost of upgrades, and interest-free financing is available for any remaining costs.

Local licensed electricians contracted by the Sponsors will complete approved projects and ensure minimal disruption to daily business operations, and all high-efficiency products installed as part of this initiative include warranties for both materials and labor. For businesses interested in scheduling a no-cost, no-obligation assessment for business, including those in communities not part of an official Main Streets partnership this year, please visit www.masssave.com/smallbusiness.

About the Sponsors of Mass Save®

Mass Save® is a collaborative of Massachusetts’ electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers including Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty, National Grid, and Unitil. We empower residents, businesses, and communities to make energy efficient upgrades by offering a wide range of services, rebates, incentives, trainings, and information.

We respectfully ask that Mass Save is referred to as “the Sponsors of Mass Save,” or “the Mass Save Sponsors,” to reflect the participation of all utility and energy efficiency service providers within the collaborative. For more information, please visit https://www.masssave.com/.