Birchwood, WI – For many Wisconsin business owners, Focus on Energy’s Community Small Business Offering provided an introduction to the Focus on Energy program. But for some, it offered a chance to work with the program another time.
That was the case for Fred Thomas Resort, a popular spot for family and fishing vacations in Birchwood. The resort, which first opened on the shores of Lake Chetac in 1925, worked with Focus on Energy’s Business Incentive Program in 2015 to earn monetary incentives for installing a solar array.
The limited-time Community Small Business Offering, which has targeted smaller communities across Wisconsin, brought Focus on Energy back to the resort. The offering provided free energy assessments to small businesses in the targeted communities, as well as a free energy savings kits and a 50 percent bonus incentive on top of the normal monetary incentive for completed energy efficiency projects.
An energy advisor conducted an energy assessment at Fred Thomas Resort and concluded a switch to LED lighting would help save energy and money, so the business upgraded more than 200 light fixtures throughout the resort.
“At Fred Thomas Resort we understand that our business is based on a healthy environment. Minimizing our energy footprint through the Focus on Energy’s Community Small Business (Offering) not only helps our business by lowering our energy bills but also helps keep the air and water clean that our guests come to enjoy,” said Dan Herscher, a manager at the resort. “Greenhouse gas pollution is also a serious threat to our business and Focus on Energy programs help us as we strive to further reduce our carbon footprint.”
More than $1,700 in Focus on Energy incentives helped pay for the lighting conversion, which is expected to additionally save the resort about $1,200 a year in energy costs. The LED bulbs will save around 200,000 kWh over their lifecycle, which equates to 162,848 pounds of burned coal.
“We appreciated the on-site consultation visit and helpful communication with our Focus on Energy representative. We look forward to continuing to work with Focus on Energy for future energy efficiency and renewable energy projects,” Herscher said.
Fred Thomas Resort is a customer of We Energies, the largest of the 107 Wisconsin utilities that fund the Focus on Energy program.
A recent evaluation report found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs creates $5.93 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs, and reduced pollution.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com. ;
About Fred Thomas Resort
Fred Thomas Resort is a northern Wisconsin premiere family and fishing vacation choice for the ultimate “up north” getaway. Situated on the shore of Big Lake Chetac in Northwest Wisconsin, Fred Thomas Resort brings you comfort and hospitality. Our impeccable accommodations and peaceful surroundings combine to create the perfect northwoods vacation experience.
