The North Country Clean Energy Hub (The Hub) is offering grants of up to $25,000 for North Country building contractors to provide or expand residential energy efficiency and/or building auditing services through NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program. EmPower+ is designed to help low- and moderate-income households lower energy costs and save money toward energy improvements at their primary residence.

This opportunity is designed to address a shortage of contractors participating in the EmPower+ program across the Hub’s service area: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties.

The demand for Empower+ projects in the North Country far exceeds what the current slate of participating contractors can fill. Some areas, particularly Clinton, northern Franklin, and northern St. Lawrence Counties, rely solely on out-of-area contractors that agree to travel long distances to complete jobs. From September 2022-July 2023, 46% of Empower+ jobs were completed by contractors traveling from out of the region, as identified by the North Country’s Regional Assessment and Barriers Analysis.

This is a clear opportunity for contractors to expand their business or diversify their offerings while meeting a critical need for area residents.

Submit the requested information (see full RFP) via email to Erin Griffin, North Country Clean Energy Hub Director at egriffin@adirondack.org.