At the Maple Heights, OH Small Business Forum on September 23rd, Tony Ramos of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) shared how his organization supports small businesses with financing and energy solutions.

NOPEC, which supplies gas and electricity to 249 communities across Ohio, offers two loan programs designed to help small businesses: PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and STEP. Both are available to businesses located in NOPEC-member communities, including Maple Heights.

Ramos also introduced Innovate Advisors, a new division of NOPEC created to serve growing small businesses. Through Innovate Advisors, NOPEC can directly negotiate competitive gas and electric rates for individual businesses — helping them avoid rising utility costs as they expand.

Ramos encouraged business owners to take advantage of these resources, whether for financing new projects or lowering monthly bills. “We want to help you put money back into your business, not just into your utility bills,” he said.

To learn more, visit nopec.org or contact Tony Ramos at aramos@nopec.org.

The Panel included:

• Clark Bihag, Deputy District Director, Ohio District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration, Moderator
• Steve Petti, Executive Director, Cuyahoga East Chamber of Commerce
• Keri Zipay: Senior Director, Business Development, Team NEO
• Kristin Beynon: Director of Client Engagement for MAGNET
• Jo Madison, MSM, CBA, SBDC Director, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
• Terry Bolden, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

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