American Legion Post Receives Unexpected Lift After Flooding

Madison, WI – Members of American Legion Post 116 in Coon Valley are proud to share stories of how their community stepped up to help them after devastating flooding in August. Now, they are trying to spread the word about an unexpected helping hand they got this week.

“This just came out of the blue for us, just a couple days ago when they walked in and let us know they were working down here. A pleasant surprise,” said post Finance Officer Roger Mathison. 

The surprise visitors were from Focus on Energy and Xcel Energy. They have been visiting select communities to spread the word about Focus on Energy’s limited-time Community Small Business Offering (CSBO) Flood Relief campaign. 

Focus on Energy, with help from its partner utilities that fund the program, identified 18 counties impacted by the August flooding and then targeted rural ZIP codes in those counties, including Coon Valley and other areas in Vernon and Monroe counties.

Qualified small businesses can receive up to double the normal Small Business Program incentives when they make energy-efficient upgrades to things like lighting, heating and cooling systems, and commercial kitchen equipment. The monetary incentives help offset the up-front costs of the energy-efficient upgrades, which will save the business owners money on their energy bills for years to come. 

Post 116 was one of the harder-hit buildings in Coon Valley during the August flooding. Water rose a little more than six feet high in parts of the building. Most of the equipment was lost and the building’s walls had to be taken out due to water damage. Members and community volunteers have helped in the continuing renovation of the building, which will now include replacing existing lighting with energy-efficient LED lights. The Focus on Energy bonus incentives – along with an additional bonus from Xcel Energy – will make the change more affordable. The post’s new energy-efficient air-conditioning unit also qualifies for a Focus on Energy incentive payment. 

All qualified small businesses in the identified zip codes are eligible, not just those that experienced flood damage. Energy Advisors with Focus on Energy visited more than 100 small businesses in the region this week to make sure they know about the offer. Mathison says he plans to help spread the word, as well, after his experience with Focus on Energy.

“They’re very knowledgeable, they’re very friendly to work with, and they’re willing to do whatever they can to help us.”

Visit focusonenergy.com/bizfloodrelief to learn where the bonus incentives are being offered, what they cover, and which companies qualify as small businesses. 

About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.