DTE Energy boosts small businesses across the state with more than $15,000 in energy efficiency upgrades

DETROIT, Feb. 5, 2025 — DTE Energy today announced the winners of its 2024 Energy Efficiency Makeover contest. Three small businesses in Michigan each won $5,000 for energy efficiency improvements. The contest, open to DTE small business customers from September through November 2024, saw a record-breaking number of entries with interest from across the state. The contest provides the opportunity, expertise and funding for a business to kick start its energy efficiency journey or take it to the next level.

“Small businesses are the foundation of the communities where we live and serve, and we are proud to support these businesses in making improvements that reduce their energy use, which benefits both the business and the community,” said Carmen Welch, director of energy efficiency, DTE Energy. “Each year this contest receives more and more entries, which tells us there is a strong interest in energy efficiency.”

The 2024 DTE Energy Efficiency Makeover contest winners are:

The winning Michigan small businesses were chosen for their demonstrated knowledge, commitment and need for energy efficiency improvements.

In addition to the prize money, all winners receive a walk-through energy assessment with a DTE energy advisor, including business-specific energy efficiency recommendations and help in coordinating the installation of upgrades. Each business may also be featured in an upcoming issue of DTE’s EnergySmarts for Business magazine.

Out of the hundreds of businesses that entered the contest, three runners-up were also selected based on their need for energy efficiency improvements. The runners-up will each receive an energy assessment and an energy efficiency upgrade, such as LED lighting, a programmable thermostat and cooler door gaskets.

 The DTE Energy Efficiency Makeover contest runners-up are:

“Franciscan Ministries is a small nonprofit organization. Our funds are focused on providing essentials for those in need, which does not leave extra funds to make energy efficiency improvements to our building,” said Michael Carsten Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (OFS), president, Franciscan Ministries, Inc. “The energy assessment from DTE helped us to determine which energy efficiency project to tackle first and the prize money makes it possible to get it done right away.”

“For more than 80 years, Camp Grace Bentley has given campers with special needs a place to develop a greater sense of independence through new adventures and working with others,” said Tod Logan, executive director, Camp Grace Bentley. “We are delighted to be an energy efficiency contest winner and plan to use the funds to upgrade old Halogen/florescent lighting to LED lighting.  Thank you, DTE, for making this improvement possible for our campers.”

“Our goal at Pediatric Healthcare is to be an advocate for children’s wellness and provide comprehensive care,” said Sharon McManus, physician and founder, Pediatric Healthcare. “In our office it’s difficult to coordinate heating and cooling with multiple zones in our building, and we are looking for an energy efficient solution that will enable remote/automatic controls for our thermostats. We are excited to receive the assistance of an energy advisor and the prize money to make this improvement.”

This year, the annual DTE Energy Efficiency Makeover contest will open in September. To learn more about how DTE’s energy efficiency programs can benefit your business, go to DTEenergy.com/business.