Joanna Coder has long been painfully aware that heating a building is among the bigger costs of running her business.
That's a big reason she decided to install a new boiler system at Coder's Dry Cleaning and Laundry, 537 Market St., Williamsport.
"We projected about a 50-percent savings," she said.
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MIKE?REUTHER/Sun-Gazette
Joanna Coder, right, says Coder’s Dry Cleaning and Laundry is seeing savings from a new boiler system, which the business was aided in purchasing with state grant money.
The old oil burning boiler was simply eating up too much of her business's costs.
The switch to a gas-burning unit has already proven to be more energy efficient.
That's why the company received a $7,500 state Department of Environmental Protection grant.
Coder's was among 31 small businesses statewide to share in the $62,000 made available.
"This program empowers small business owners to invest in important upgrades that make the most sense for their business," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "It gives them the opportunity to lower the costs of production, which makes them better environmental stewards and more competitive."
Two Williamsport businesses receiving grants for investing in such upgrades were DiSalvo's Restaurant and Pasta Products, $3,439, and Williams Auto Transport, $4,300.
Bailey's Auto Body, Muncy, was awarded $9,000.
The allocations are made available through the state's Small Business Advantage Grant Program and funded by the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act.
The money allocated to companies with fewer than 100 employees is a 50-percent matching reimbursement.
Since the start of the program in 2004 some $6.1 million has gone to more than 1,500 businesses statewide.
Bailey Auto Body faced upgrades and repairs after sustaining flood damage last fall.
But the business decided to go one better.
"We put in more efficient lighting and heating," said office manager Mary English. "So it would save costs on electricity."
Coder said the cost savings for her business, a family-owned company in the city for some 60 years, could lead to expansion.
"This will allow staffing increases," she said. "I'm so grateful that they do have programs like this that help small businesses like mine and others."
Coder said she can really see the difference between the new gas boiler and the old oil-run unit, which was 43 years old.
Rising costs of oil were just part of the problem.
The new boiler is simply better.
"As far as efficiency, the steam is hotter, giving you faster production," she said. "It means cleaner clothes, and a better finish to clothes. The fibers are going to lay flatter. It's giving a crisp, tailored approach."
With cost savings, she's hoping to give back to the public.
I am very appreciative of the grant," she said. "We are looking at doing really exciting things for the community."
