Chamber News

PRESS RELEASE: Central CT Chambers of Commerce Awarded Grant to Continue Push Toward a More Energy Efficient Business Community Funding awarded through the Energize Connecticut℠ Community Partnership Initiative

BRISTOL, Conn., October 28, 2025 – Recently, the Sponsors of Energize ConnecticutSM Eversource and Avangrid, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, awarded the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce with a $50,000 Community Partnership Initiative grant for the second consecutive funding round.

In an effort to make energy efficiency affordable and accessible to all, the Community Partnership Initiative grants enable local community groups, nonprofit organizations and municipalities to further energy efficiency adoption and educate residents and businesses on the energy efficiency solutions available to them.

“At the Chamber, we’re committed to strengthening the communities we serve — both for the people who live here and the businesses that drive our local economy,” said Katie D’Agostino, President & CEO of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. “Through the last grant session, we saw firsthand the positive difference energy efficiency programs can make, and we’re proud of that progress. Looking ahead, we’re eager to continue that work over the next year and beyond, giving businesses the tools they need to cut costs, improve efficiency, and achieve real, lasting savings.”

Those who have already gone through the no cost, no obligation energy assessment say the process was easy and the savings being realized will have a positive long-term effect on their finances.

“We are funded by all the taxpayers in the state, so it's important to spend our money wisely,” said Mary Etter, executive director of the Bristol Adult Resource Center. “Spending less of it on energy means we can spend more on our activities, our staff and our programs.”

The grant awarded to the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce will support outreach to encourage participation in the Small Business Energy Advantage program and focus on achieving energy efficiency goals. Central Connecticut Chambers staff and associates will work with community members, stakeholders, small business owners, business groups and organizations to promote and increase participation in the Companies' Small Business Energy Advantage program in the communities that they serve. The Chamber will also be partnering with the New Britain Downtown District this grant cycle to increase energy efficiency awareness in New Britain in addition to Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, and Wolcott.

This is the third round of funding the Sponsors of Energize CT have awarded in their efforts to support Connecticut residents and businesses to make smart energy choices.

“The Energize Connecticut Community Partnership Initiative is a powerful way to connect with customers in historically underserved communities,” said Eversource Director of Energy Efficiency Stephen Bruno. “This Initiative has proven how localized outreach drives greater participation in energy efficiency programs, helping residents and business owners to reduce their energy usage year-round.”

“We are eager to work with the selected participants to increase access to energy efficiency in our communities, and the participants of this year’s Community Partnership Initiative represent a range of organizations who can help make that happen,” said Senior Manager of Conservation and Load Management at United Illuminating, Connecticut Natural Gas, and Southern Connecticut Gas Marissa Westbrook. “We have no doubt that each participant will go above and beyond with their energy efficiency program outreach and will see first-hand the many benefits of these important upgrades within their communities.”

If your business is looking for more information, please contact the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce by visiting centralctchambers.org/energy-efficiency.

For more information on the Community Partnership Initiative, please visit EnergizeCT.com.