Business Efficiency Project Faces 2020’s Challenges…and Adapts!

In the initial phase of the Balaton Business Energy Efficiency Partnership, the EDA marketed the business energy program through the newspaper, social media, and direct business outreach. They were interested in working with businesses throughout the community but, given the particular challenges faced by businesses in 2020, they were unsuccessful in getting applicants. Businesses were hesitant to spend money on upgrades when they were uncertain whether they would even exist in the next year or two.

To keep the project moving forward, they decided to work with the city on the Balaton Care Center, which housed numerous businesses. According to Lisa Graphenteen, the Balaton EDA director, “We did have a local restaurant show interest in November, but when an Executive Order shut their doors, they decided not to proceed. We marketed the effort for six months before we made the decision to use all funding for the businesses in the Care Center.”

What was once a city-owned nursing home built in 1972, is now the Balaton Care Center. The EDA decided that the best project for them would be to update all the lighting in the building to LEDs.

For the initial energy assessment, they wanted to work with the Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP), but the pandemic restricted RETAP auditors ability to travel. So, instead, the EDA reached out to the Energy Smart program.

• Sanford Health offers a health care clinic staffed two days per week.
• The Health Enhancement Center offers physical therapy services at the center several days a week.
• Pam’s Beauty Shop serves clients in the neighboring Lakeview Senior Housing assisted living facility and in the community.
• Minnewaska Health Services leases the kitchen space, providing three meals a day to the residents of the neighboring assisted living facility.
• Balaton EDA has an office in the building, and its board also uses the center for meetings.
• Local volunteers have been working to establish a Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) distribution site in the center.
• Lutheran Social Services will use the center as a supper kitchen for various programs.

The Care Center is now a more inviting place to work and visit. “My office is there. It’s just so much brighter. There are some long halls that used to be dark that are now brighter. It’s just great working in this space now,” said Graphenteen.

This project has spurred the City of Balaton and the EDA to begin tackling their next big project – a new HVAC system.  The project has an estimated price tag of over $100,000, so CERTs is working to connect the city to programs to help them reach their goal!