RELEASED ON SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2011
ON THE TIMES-COURIER/JOURNAL GAZETTE BUSINESS PAGE

by Cindy Titus White

Charleston Chamber offers “Second Chance” to lower electric rates for businesses

Last December Charleston Chamber members were invited to participate in an electric buying program through The Stone River Group (an agent of Ameren Energy Marketing). Electrical usage from the participating businesses was pooled together to negotiate the best possible rate for everyone, regardless of their individual usage.
Contracts were written for 42 Chamber members resulting in projected savings of over $125,000 for these area businesses. The group was given a fixed rate of 4.959 cents per kilowatt hour for the life of the 24 month contract.
The average rate previously being paid by these businesses was 6-74/kwh or higher. The smaller businesses will now save between $1000 and $3000 over the next two years, with larger users saving substantially more.
The Charleston Chamber is now offering a “Second Chance” to area businesses to participate in this program. If you are concerned about rising electric rates and are looking for ways to cut energy costs for your business, now is the time to act.
The Chamber program saves individual members the time and expense of dealing with aggressive energy consultants and having to choose a supplier of their own, offering its members a streamlined, convenient, and safe way to purchase electricity in the deregulated market.
We are currently quoting rates of about 5.4 cents per kwh with a 24 month contract. Electric rates will only continue to go up, so if you missed out on this program last year, now is the time to start saving money!
It’s easy and risk-free to participate:
• All Ameren commercial accounts and current contracts with independent electric providers are eligible to participate. The program is not available to Coles-Moultrie Electric Coop customers.
• Interested businesses should send a copy of ALL PAGES of their most recent electric bill (businesses only – no residential) to the Chamber office. You may submit bills from multiple business locations with metered sites. Drop the bills off at the Chamber office at 501 Jackson Avenue or fax to 345-7042 or email pdf files to cacc@charlestonchamber.com.
• A rate quote will be given in writing via email for review by each business.
• If the rate quote is accepted, the business has 24 hours to sign and return the contract.
• We will work with all businesses that have special circumstances. For example: if a business is with a current contract that has a future date, we can write our contract to start at their contract end date.
This value-added service is available to Chamber members only. Participation in this program requires continuous membership in the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce during the term of the energy agreement. Area businesses that are not currently members of the Chamber are urged to consider membership to take advantage of this opportunity.
While the Chamber cannot guarantee what the contract rates or the percentage of savings will be to the individual businesses, this is a real opportunity for businesses to use their Chamber membership to their advantage.
Questions can be directed to the Charleston Chamber office at 345-7041.
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All Chamber members and their guests are invited to join us for an evening of fun this Thursday evening from 5 to 7 PM at the Business After Hours hosted by First Mid-IL Bank & Trust.
The networking event is planned around a County Fair theme and will take place at the 500 West Lincoln Avenue facility in Charleston.
Favorite foods and drinks from the midway will be served and you can step right up to try your luck at the games. Door prizes will be given away also.
During the evening State Senator Dale Righter will be honored with the presentation of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Champion of Free Enterprise award.
Plan now to stop by and enjoy the fun at the First-Mid Fair on Thursday evening.