The story of BrightHome Energy Solutions, LLC (BrightHome) exemplifies NYSERDA's success in supporting small business growth and workforce development in the clean energy field.
Mike Brown, Partner, Bright Home Energy Solutions
"Home Performance training really gave us a foundation for doing energy efficiency work... It's all about how things interact with each other. We want to figure out how to make houses last as long as possible."-Mike Brown, Partner, BrightHome Energy Solutions
Since 2009, BrightHome has created 30 jobs in Westchester County. One of those jobs went to a disadvantaged worker who received NYSERDA-funded workforce development training at the Osborne Association. BrightHome also hired employees through workforce development initiatives of the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board, Sustainable South Bronx and WestCOP.
A key ingredient to BrightHome's success is its participation in NYSERDA's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program, which requires participating contractors to be accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI).
Certified contractors perform air sealing to improve a home's energy efficiency.
"Last year alone, NYSERDA reimbursed us about $9,000 toward our marketing activities."-Mike Brown
NYSERDA supports a network of training sites across the state and reimburses half the cost of BPI technician certification. NYSERDA also helps contractors ramp up their businesses by assisting with initial equipment costs and by providing co-operative marketing dollars.
A full list of participating contractors can be found at www.nyserda.ny.gov. For more information about how to become a participating Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® contractor or general questions about NYSERDA, contact your local Energy $mart Communities Coordinator at Elizabeth.Silleck@gmail.com.
Westchester/Bronx Energy $mart Communities (E$C) partnered with the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) 
With the help of a $1.5 million grant from NYSERDA, the company now custom-designs and manufactures LED-based energy efficient lighting for illuminating retail store products, fast food menu boards and sign boxes. The new lighting is projected to save customers from 50% to 70% on their lighting costs, according to President/CEO Joseph Messa. "For every hour the fixtures we have produced are lit, our clients have saved over 10,000 kWh. That helps reduce carbon emissions by 7.6 tons per hour, which is tremendous since the majority of the fixtures we have produced are on 18 to 24 hours per day," said Messa. The company also works to make its products controllable, utilizing motion and daylight-sensors to reduce energy waste for customers with long hours of operation.
In Westchester's very own Mt. Vernon, the story of Bridge Metal Industries, LLC exemplifies the growth of a clean energy economy, a priority that New York has identified as a potential solution to both economic and environmental concerns. In 2007, The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) released a funding opportunity which aimed to support the growth of clean energy manufacturing in the state, including expansion of existing facilities to produce energy efficient end-use products. Bridge Metal, a financially secure but relatively traditional manufacturing company, took advantage of the opportunity to invest in a significant expansion and shift in operations, and now specializes in retail product display and illumination for retail stores using exceptionally efficient and durable light emitting diode (LED) technology. 
