Press Release, August 20, 2010
Another Green Company joins the Davidson, NC business incubator
In Davidson, the incubator “Project for innovation, Energy and Sustainability (acronym “PiES”) continues to attract and grow businesses in the renewal and clean energy sector.
PiES provides office space as well as business guidance and services from business counselors and academic advisors. The incubator, launched in January, has accepted its first two member companies in June, and last week its newest member, Sustainable Energy Community Development Corporation (SECDC).
SECDC includes a roster of well-known politicians and attorneys, including former Matthews Mayor and Legislator, Shawn LeMond. He was recruited by the principles of SECDC to develop and launch the company. SEDC is engaged in bundling New Market Tax Credits with federal and state renewable energy tax credits. The goal is to create new models for renewable energy installations of North Carolina manufactured and installed solar systems in rural and low income areas. “Our new financing model would lure otherwise disinterested third party investment into installations” according to LeMond, Vice President & COO. SECDC would be engaged in turnkey financing, installation and operation of these installations.
The company’s first pilot project is in Plymouth, NC in Washington County, whose poverty rate now exceeds 37%. The SECDC project will provide significant and immediate local economic activity. SECDC currently has 2 employees and plans to grow to 8-15 by the end of 2011, including sales/marketing and project managers. They have been accepted as a full resident member at PiES.
PiES has partnered with the Town of Davidson and the Lake Norman Economic Development Corporation as well as the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and Central Piedmont Community College to provide business assistance. “This community based initiative is a successful pilot project which will be duplicated in other communities under PiES guidance, and can provide a transferable model for innovations at the local level in the green jobs sector” according to Ian Ferguson, founding board member, whose history includes numerous successful startups during his tenure at other academic institutions before arriving last fall at UNCC. The partnership was successful in receiving one of the first stimulus grants conferred by the NC Department of Energy in partnership with the Main Street program, under the direction of the federal Department of Energy.
More information regarding SECDC can be found at http://www.secdc.net Pies is located in The Business Center @ South Main Square in downtown Davidson.
In Davidson, the incubator “Project for innovation, Energy and Sustainability (acronym “PiES”) continues to attract and grow businesses in the renewal and clean energy sector.
PiES provides office space as well as business guidance and services from business counselors and academic advisors. The incubator, launched in January, has accepted its first two member companies in June, and last week its newest member, Sustainable Energy Community Development Corporation (SECDC).
SECDC includes a roster of well-known politicians and attorneys, including former Matthews Mayor and Legislator, Shawn LeMond. He was recruited by the principles of SECDC to develop and launch the company. SEDC is engaged in bundling New Market Tax Credits with federal and state renewable energy tax credits. The goal is to create new models for renewable energy installations of North Carolina manufactured and installed solar systems in rural and low income areas. “Our new financing model would lure otherwise disinterested third party investment into installations” according to LeMond, Vice President & COO. SECDC would be engaged in turnkey financing, installation and operation of these installations.
The company’s first pilot project is in Plymouth, NC in Washington County, whose poverty rate now exceeds 37%. The SECDC project will provide significant and immediate local economic activity. SECDC currently has 2 employees and plans to grow to 8-15 by the end of 2011, including sales/marketing and project managers. They have been accepted as a full resident member at PiES.
PiES has partnered with the Town of Davidson and the Lake Norman Economic Development Corporation as well as the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and Central Piedmont Community College to provide business assistance. “This community based initiative is a successful pilot project which will be duplicated in other communities under PiES guidance, and can provide a transferable model for innovations at the local level in the green jobs sector” according to Ian Ferguson, founding board member, whose history includes numerous successful startups during his tenure at other academic institutions before arriving last fall at UNCC. The partnership was successful in receiving one of the first stimulus grants conferred by the NC Department of Energy in partnership with the Main Street program, under the direction of the federal Department of Energy.
More information regarding SECDC can be found at http://www.secdc.net Pies is located in The Business Center @ South Main Square in downtown Davidson.
Press Release, July 30, 2010
Green Companies begin to sprout at Davidson, NC business incubator
In Davidson, the new incubator “Project for innovation, Energy and Sustainability (acronym “PiES”) is helping to attract and grow businesses in the renewal and clean energy sector and already has its first crop of startups moving in.
PiES provides office space as well as business guidance and services from business counselors and academic advisors. The incubator, launched in January, has accepted its first member companies, with the first in residence, a second in transition and two more applications pending.
Kathleen Rose, who leads the group of advisors, serves as executive director of the new pilot project, which is a joint venture with the Town of Davidson, and among the first of its kind in North Carolina. Advisory Board Members include Ian Ferguson, PhD Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), William McCoy, PhD retired Director of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, and former Associate Vice Chancellor for Extended Academic Programs at UNCC, Rick Sabath, Partner at Quantarus Capital Partners, Robert Haupt, CCIM, MBA, Utility Services of Southern Energy Management, Richard Terry, Auxiliary Services Director at Davidson College and Leamon Brice, Town Manager Town of Davidson..
PiES has partnered with the Town of Davidson and the Lake Norman Economic Development Corporation as well as the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and Central Piedmont Community College to provide business assistance. “This community based initiative is a successful pilot project which will be duplicated in other communities under PiES guidance, and can provide a transferable model for innovations at the local level in the green jobs sector” according to Ian Ferguson, founding board member, whose history includes numerous successful startups during his tenure at other academic institutions before arriving last fall at UNCC. The partnership was successful in receiving one of the first stimulus grants conferred by the NC Department of Energy in partnership with the Main Street program, under the direction of the federal Department of Energy.
The first company to call the incubator home is Focal Point Energy, which has developed a new solar thermal system that is unique in its light weight design for both commercial and residential applications. The innovation was born in Silicon Valley, California, however, President Taber Smith looked to North Carolina for its production. “The focus on green industry, particularly in the energy sector in the Charlotte region was our attraction and the assistance in connecting us to the workforce, technical and funding sources through PiES made our decision to bring production to North Carolina for our east coast operations easy”, said Smith. The company will initially hire 1-3 employees locally during its ramp up of operations.
The second company, ElectraDrive, has developed technology for conversion of commercial fleet vehicles to electric and is working on funding to ramp up its North Carolina operations through assistance from PiES.
“The companies so far are exactly the type of tenant members that the incubator seeks to attract” said Rose, executive director. “The space is for companies that are developing a product or service in the energy sector, including those that generate cleaner energy, reduce consumption or mitigate the negative impacts of energy production, as well as those companies involved in sustainability issues. These are all early and/or first stage companies, with high growth potential”.
The article can also be viewed on the Davidson News Website
In Davidson, the new incubator “Project for innovation, Energy and Sustainability (acronym “PiES”) is helping to attract and grow businesses in the renewal and clean energy sector and already has its first crop of startups moving in.
PiES provides office space as well as business guidance and services from business counselors and academic advisors. The incubator, launched in January, has accepted its first member companies, with the first in residence, a second in transition and two more applications pending.
Kathleen Rose, who leads the group of advisors, serves as executive director of the new pilot project, which is a joint venture with the Town of Davidson, and among the first of its kind in North Carolina. Advisory Board Members include Ian Ferguson, PhD Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), William McCoy, PhD retired Director of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, and former Associate Vice Chancellor for Extended Academic Programs at UNCC, Rick Sabath, Partner at Quantarus Capital Partners, Robert Haupt, CCIM, MBA, Utility Services of Southern Energy Management, Richard Terry, Auxiliary Services Director at Davidson College and Leamon Brice, Town Manager Town of Davidson..
PiES has partnered with the Town of Davidson and the Lake Norman Economic Development Corporation as well as the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and Central Piedmont Community College to provide business assistance. “This community based initiative is a successful pilot project which will be duplicated in other communities under PiES guidance, and can provide a transferable model for innovations at the local level in the green jobs sector” according to Ian Ferguson, founding board member, whose history includes numerous successful startups during his tenure at other academic institutions before arriving last fall at UNCC. The partnership was successful in receiving one of the first stimulus grants conferred by the NC Department of Energy in partnership with the Main Street program, under the direction of the federal Department of Energy.
The first company to call the incubator home is Focal Point Energy, which has developed a new solar thermal system that is unique in its light weight design for both commercial and residential applications. The innovation was born in Silicon Valley, California, however, President Taber Smith looked to North Carolina for its production. “The focus on green industry, particularly in the energy sector in the Charlotte region was our attraction and the assistance in connecting us to the workforce, technical and funding sources through PiES made our decision to bring production to North Carolina for our east coast operations easy”, said Smith. The company will initially hire 1-3 employees locally during its ramp up of operations.
The second company, ElectraDrive, has developed technology for conversion of commercial fleet vehicles to electric and is working on funding to ramp up its North Carolina operations through assistance from PiES.
“The companies so far are exactly the type of tenant members that the incubator seeks to attract” said Rose, executive director. “The space is for companies that are developing a product or service in the energy sector, including those that generate cleaner energy, reduce consumption or mitigate the negative impacts of energy production, as well as those companies involved in sustainability issues. These are all early and/or first stage companies, with high growth potential”.
The article can also be viewed on the Davidson News Website
Press Release, June 7, 2010
Local Green Jobs Incubator joins International Network representing Charlotte region.
DAVIDSON, NC – In an effort to extend its reach to support sustainability, the recently launched Project for Innovation, Energy & Sustainability (PiES) has joined BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. BALLE is North America's fastest growing network of sustainable businesses, comprised of over 80 community networks like PiES in 30 U.S. states and Canadian provinces representing more than 22,000 locally owned, independent business members.
BALLE's mission is to catalyze, strengthen and connect networks of locally owned independent businesses dedicated to building strong “local living economies.” As noted by BALLE co-founder, Judy Wicks, “In order to build a local living economy, we must first determine what one looks like – what are the components, or building blocks, which comprise this sustainable system? By identifying the building blocks, we create a holistic vision of a local living economy that we can work toward achieving.”
BALLE networks connect the dots between the building blocks of a local living economy – sustainable local food systems, green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, local zero waste manufacturing, community capital, and others – within the context of their local economies. These “building blocks” represent the basic pillars of most local economies.
Rather than choosing one sector within which to work, BALLE networks recognize that sustainable local communities and economies are based on the systemic relationship between these building blocks. We don’t prioritize or isolate the importance of energy efficiency from investing in local energy production, or ‘green’ buildings from the health of their occupants, or the viability of local farms from the prosperity of the grocers to whom they sell.
Many BALLE networks begin by building deep programs in one or more building blocks. Networks also have many cross-cutting initiatives that broadly support their general membership – such as member directories, Think Local First campaigns, and sustainable business education. PiES mission to assist community-based green companies is consistent with the BALLE mission, and is focused on the three building blocks of green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and local zero waste manufacturing. Additionally, PiES local partnership with the Davidson Farmer’s Market provides this growing non-profit organization the opportunity to share its knowledge and experience with local sustainable food systems. Other building blocks include independent retail and community capital, which PiES hopes to partner with regional resources including the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, area merchant groups and other business organizations.
“Affiliation with this network will provide information and best practices from other networks around the world as they work on small business and entrepreneurial development in a new and sustainable way” said Kathleen Rose, President of Rose & Associates Southeast, Inc. a real estate and economic development consultant and Executive Director of PiES. “We hope to bring all that experience to the Charlotte region”.
“We are delighted to welcome PiES into the BALLE community of independent business networks,” said Michelle Long, BALLE executive director. “PiES will help the Charlotte region ensure that economic power resides locally to the greatest extent possible, sustaining vibrant, livable communities and healthy ecosystems in the process, and BALLE will help to connect innovation in Charlotte to innovation in other communities.”
DAVIDSON, NC – In an effort to extend its reach to support sustainability, the recently launched Project for Innovation, Energy & Sustainability (PiES) has joined BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. BALLE is North America's fastest growing network of sustainable businesses, comprised of over 80 community networks like PiES in 30 U.S. states and Canadian provinces representing more than 22,000 locally owned, independent business members.
BALLE's mission is to catalyze, strengthen and connect networks of locally owned independent businesses dedicated to building strong “local living economies.” As noted by BALLE co-founder, Judy Wicks, “In order to build a local living economy, we must first determine what one looks like – what are the components, or building blocks, which comprise this sustainable system? By identifying the building blocks, we create a holistic vision of a local living economy that we can work toward achieving.”
BALLE networks connect the dots between the building blocks of a local living economy – sustainable local food systems, green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, local zero waste manufacturing, community capital, and others – within the context of their local economies. These “building blocks” represent the basic pillars of most local economies.
Rather than choosing one sector within which to work, BALLE networks recognize that sustainable local communities and economies are based on the systemic relationship between these building blocks. We don’t prioritize or isolate the importance of energy efficiency from investing in local energy production, or ‘green’ buildings from the health of their occupants, or the viability of local farms from the prosperity of the grocers to whom they sell.
Many BALLE networks begin by building deep programs in one or more building blocks. Networks also have many cross-cutting initiatives that broadly support their general membership – such as member directories, Think Local First campaigns, and sustainable business education. PiES mission to assist community-based green companies is consistent with the BALLE mission, and is focused on the three building blocks of green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and local zero waste manufacturing. Additionally, PiES local partnership with the Davidson Farmer’s Market provides this growing non-profit organization the opportunity to share its knowledge and experience with local sustainable food systems. Other building blocks include independent retail and community capital, which PiES hopes to partner with regional resources including the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, area merchant groups and other business organizations.
“Affiliation with this network will provide information and best practices from other networks around the world as they work on small business and entrepreneurial development in a new and sustainable way” said Kathleen Rose, President of Rose & Associates Southeast, Inc. a real estate and economic development consultant and Executive Director of PiES. “We hope to bring all that experience to the Charlotte region”.
“We are delighted to welcome PiES into the BALLE community of independent business networks,” said Michelle Long, BALLE executive director. “PiES will help the Charlotte region ensure that economic power resides locally to the greatest extent possible, sustaining vibrant, livable communities and healthy ecosystems in the process, and BALLE will help to connect innovation in Charlotte to innovation in other communities.”
Press Release, May 4, 2010
Advanced Seminars & Expanded Services at The South Main Square Business Center
The Business Center @ South Main Square in partnership with the Project for Innovation, Energy & Sustainability (PiES) today announced a series of advanced seminars for 1st & 2nd stage companies with a focus on sustainable practices and growth in the Lake Norman region. The free series is a continuation of the seminar held April 21st on Greening your Building, sponsored in part by Energy Star and a grant from the NC Main Street program. The series includes concepts in business strategy, marketing and productivity, all with a focus on green and sustainable practice. They are being held on Wednesday mornings, May 19th; June 23rd and Sept. 22nd.
In addition, The Business Center announced expanded services to the public and business community for meeting and conference room space, which may be rented by the hour, half day or full day. Previously, this space was only available to tenants at South Main Square.
For further information regarding Meeting/Conference Space or to register for the Seminar Series, please contact: Kathleen Rose @ 704-896-0094
In addition, The Business Center announced expanded services to the public and business community for meeting and conference room space, which may be rented by the hour, half day or full day. Previously, this space was only available to tenants at South Main Square.
For further information regarding Meeting/Conference Space or to register for the Seminar Series, please contact: Kathleen Rose @ 704-896-0094
Press Release, April 22, 2010
Carolinas Commercial Properties E-Newsletter - 4/22/10
Sustainable Business Incubator takes Energy Star Challenge
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- On this year's Earth Day, the city of Davidson is looking a lot greener. The Project for Innovation, Energy & Sustainability (PiES), a Davidson-based business incubator that focuses on companies in the sustainability industry, is taking the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Challenge, which calls for efficiency improvements of 10 percent or more for all of the nation's commercial and industrial buildings.
PiES is also calling on Davidson-area companies to do the same. Funded in part by a recent grant from the NC Energy Office, a seminar was held yesterday for local businesses and building owners on making their properties more sustainable. The seminar was the first in a planned series on energy efficiency and sustainability that PiES will host.
The PiES incubator is unique in that is moves away from the traditional incubator model of focusing on companies in the high-tech industry. This may seem to pigeonhole the organization at first, but sustainable companies provide a variety of goods and services, including energy-efficient windows and weather stripping, biofuels and even performing energy audits.
PiES also differs from other incubators in that it consists of three development stages for companies that span its first 3 to 5 years of operation, rather than just focusing on the company's start-up. Stage 1, which is housed in The Business Center at South Main Square in downtown Davidson is already up and running, and the first two businesses for it will be announced shortly. The common theme for each stage of the incubator, including The Business Center, is the utilization of existing buildings rather than new construction.
"For a community that is focused on being green and sustainable, the best thing you can do for sustainability -- in terms of not increasing your carbon footprint or spending money on new infrastructure -- is to recycle and reuse an existing building," says Kathleen Rose, the executive director of PiES.
Interest for PiES so far has been positive, especially from the higher education community. With PiES' unique approach to incubation and focus on a different type of start-up, Rose believes she has found a niche that will ensure success.
"The thing that differentiates this incubator from others is many incubators around the country are focused on high-tech or biomedical, or some of those things that require wet or dry lab space, which is very expensive," Rose says. "This is an alternative and it's community-centric, versus university-centric."
Press Release, January 6, 2010
Town Receives Two Energy Grants Totaling $19,067
Gov. Bev Perdue yesterday announced that the Town of Davidson was one of eight “Main Street” North Carolina communities to receive more than $330,000 in federal Recovery Act funds to help with energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The grants are the first distribution of money from the North Carolina Energy Program for the state’s Main Street initiative.
“Sandy Kragh, the town grant writer, has applied for a variety of grants that address the town board’s six goals, including grants related to energy and environmental issues,” said Leamon Brice, town manager. “We are excited these two grants have been funded and we can make town hall and the fire station a bit greener and help local businesses become more energy efficient.”The North Carolina Energy Office, in partnership with the N.C. Main Street Center, awards grants to eligible local governments and/or nonprofit downtown revitalization organizations Grants are awarded to Main Street communities for energy audits and planning and policy work to support long-term sustainable changes for energy efficiency.Local matching funds must be committed for implementation of grant awards, minimally one non-federal dollar for every one federal dollar from the N.C. State Energy Program Main Street Grant Fund.
The town was awarded $5,300 to retrofit all overhead fluorescent lighting in the Davidson Town Hall and the Fire Station to energy efficient fixtures and replacing incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent mini spirals. This will result in a 43 percent energy cost reduction. One half of the match for the town’s portion of the grant will come from the Duke Energy Smart Saver Energy Plan and the remaining funds will come from the town’s operating budget.The second grant of $13,767 was awarded to the town to partner with Urban Organic I, LLC, to achieve EPA Energy Star certification of the Business Center @ South Main Square. The match for these funds will come from Urban Organic I, LLC. Energy efficiency improvements to the building will include the replacement of manual thermostats by electronic programmable thermostats and replacement of an enthalpy controller with a new electronic enthalpy controller resulting in a cost savings of $750.00 annually.
Press Release, December 7, 2009
In times of economic crisis, Davidson, NC turns to proven job creators with unique business incubator
In Davidson, a local property owner and economic development consultant has conceived a Public – Private Partnership to create a unique business incubator that may serve as a model for other communities. The initiative is called “Project for innovation, Energy and Sustainability (acronym “PiES”). Founder Kathleen Rose has formed an advisory board for PiES which includes local academic advisors for technical assistance and a local venture fund for financial assistance to member companies. Advisory Board Members include Ian Ferguson, PhD Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), William McCoy, PhD retired Director of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, and former Associate Vice Chancellor for Extended Academic Programs at UNCC, Rick Sabath, Partner at Quantarus Capital Partners, Robert Haupt, CCIM, MBA, Advisor at Sperry Van Ness and Leamon Brice, Town Manager Town of Davidson..
PiES has partnered with the Town of Davidson and the Lake Norman Economic Development Corporation as well as the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce to provide business assistance. “Given the trend toward Green Jobs, a focus on the energy industry in the Charlotte area and our community’s commitment to sustainability, this seemed like a good fit to provide a way for us to create jobs and demonstrate our business friendly environment”, said Leamon Brice, Davidson Town Manager.
A recent study conducted by Grant-Thorton for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration found that federal dollars invested in business incubators are more effective at creating jobs than roads and bridges, industrial parks, commercial buildings, and sewer and water projects. According to the study, incubators provide up to 20 times more jobs than community infrastructure projects like water and sewer projects at a cost of $144 to $216 per job compared with $2,920 to $6,872 for the latter. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides tax cuts and funds for alternative energy and public infrastructure projects. President Obama’s FY 2010 budget proposal includes $50 million for business incubation programs in distressed communities. “The nation’s existing network of nearly 1,000 incubators – including many best-practice programs with excellent track records – is prepared to expand services to new populations and geographic areas. New investments in these programs can garner results immediately,” said Jerry Broadway, Executive Director of the Lake Norman Economic Development Corporation, who will partner with PiES in marketing the project in the Lake Norman Region.
According to Kathleen Rose, Executive Director and Managing Partner, PiES is built upon three key elements:
- Education ~ Leading by example with sustainable practices for existing buildings such as Energy Star and LEED, and offering educational seminars for building owners and managers. Unlike other incubators which are often focused on high tech or bio-medical industries, PiES will focus on companies that provide “Green Jobs” as outlined in North Carolina’s overall economic plan;
- Incubation ~ A three-stage business incubator model which provides multiple access points with affordable space in existing buildings, thus partnering with local property owners. The first stage incubator will be located at The Business Center @ South Main Square, an existing small office business center located in Downtown Davidson. Second and third stage locations are still in discussion with property owners, who would also become PiES program sponsors.
- Economic Gardening ~ Encourages start up and early stage companies to grow and stay in the community, while helping to improve occupancy and stabilize the local real estate market with its multi-stage approach.