NEW HAVEN – Small-business owners in the city have until March 2 to apply for energy assistance grants from Operation Fuel’s Project/BEST, a new initiative that gives a one-time grant of $1,000 and training to help lower energy bills.
Project/BEST is the first program of its kind in the nation, according to Operation Fuel, and is available to owners of small businesses in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, New London and Waterbury. Businesses owned by women and minorities are encouraged to apply, said officials at Operation Fuel, a statewide nonprofit that offers energy assistance.
The program recently was completed in Hartford, where a total of $213,000 in grant money was given to 213 business owners.
Project/BEST is funded by a $1 million grant from Dominion Resources Inc. and $150,000 from Public Service Enterprise Group.
In New Haven, Operation Fuel is working with the city’s Office of Economic Development and the Economic Development Corp. of New Haven.
For more information on Project/BEST, call (860) 243-2345 ext. 308, or email projectbest@operationfuel.org .