Carlsons' Grocery receives grant, loan
Staff reporter
Partnerships.
Without them it would be difficult to conduct business.
For example, Carlsons' Grocery of Marion saw an opportunity and took it by applying for an energy grant and loan through USDA Rural Development.
"At first the application was overwhelming," said Linda Carlson, one of the owners and grant writer, but she managed to wade through the paperwork.
Owners Greg and Linda Carlson and Mitch Carlson found out about the program from another store owner in Kingman who had applied for the grant.
How the program works is USDA Rural Development offers a combination grant and loan to eligible businesses that are successfully chosen through the grant application process to make energy efficiency improvements.
In comes Tampa State Bank of Marion, who is willing to guarantee the loan from Rural Development, and there you are — a partnership between Rural Development, Tampa State Bank, and Carlsons' Grocery.
The money was put to good use by replacing 30-year-old, coffin-type freezers. With the new freezers, the store owners were able to expand their frozen food selection which resulted in a 15 percent increase in frozen food sales.
The company projects a 20 percent savings in utilities.
Total funding was $83,036 — $20,759 in grant funds, $20,759 as a guaranteed loan through the Rural Development energy efficiency program, and $41,518 as a guaranteed loan through the Rural Development business and industry loan program.
Part of the grant/loan application process was to project an energy cost savings. In addition to new, more efficient freezers, new thermostats were added and new light fixtures will be installed in the coming weeks, all adding up to a potential savings of up to 20 percent.
With everyone working together, the Carlsons are able to continue to provide quality products to their customers, and have a better bottom line with increased sales and a more efficient operation.
The grant is a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program. Since 2003, USDA Rural Development has provided nearly $365,000 of financial assistance to 14 rural businesses in improving energy efficiency or establishing a renewable energy system.
