Okey’s Market

Cassville – A long-time Wisconsin grocer invested in energy efficiency this year and, according to the owner, has seen early returns on that investment.

Okey’s Market in Cassville, which has served southwestern Wisconsin since 1933, made major changes to its lighting and refrigeration systems. The family-owned business replaced all of its refrigerated cases, added a computer system for refrigeration zone control, and also installed heat reclamation technology and LED lighting.

“Customers love it and business is up eight percent," said owner Tom Okey. "That, plus saving $2,000 - $3,000 per month on the power bill, will really help out."

Okey’s Market is now saving an estimated 310,600 kWh annually. That equals about $34,000 a year and is enough to power roughly 35 average Wisconsin homes annually.

Okey wanted to make major energy-efficient changes to his store and took the initiative to contact Madigan Refrigeration of Lodi, which happens to be a Trade Ally contractor for the Focus on Energy program. Both the business and contractor reached out to Focus on Energy in late 2017 and asked if any monetary incentives were available to offset the cost of refrigeration and lighting investments. In the end, nearly $16,000 in incentives through Focus on Energy’s Business Incentives Program helped convince Okey to make the changes.

The business gets its electricity from Alliant Energy, one of Focus on Energy’s 108 utility partners across the state that fund the program and make these incentives and savings possible.

A recent evaluation report found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs creates $5.93 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs, and reduced pollution.

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. 

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