May is National Small Business Month and CPA is celebrating the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners across Southern California and their role in driving our local economy.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 99.9% of all businesses in the United States, employing nearly half of the private-sector workforce and generating 65% of net new jobs over the past two decades. With over 33 million small businesses in the U.S., these small and medium-size companies drive innovation, technology, competition, and economic growth.
CPA, which serves approximately 118,000 small and medium businesses across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, offers programs tailored to our commercial customers. These include our Power Response Commercial Leaders program that incentivizes participants to actively reduce their energy use during times of higher than seasonally projected energy demand and our Energy Team service, which provides free expert guidance to businesses and residents on electrical upgrades and help finding contractors and rebates to save money.
Additionally, our Green Leader program recognizes CPA’s commercial customers on 100% Green Power for their environmental leadership and commitment to a clean energy future.
One of CPA’s Green Leader small businesses, Crudo E Nudo, a Santa Monica based sustainable seafood restaurant, believes that being a Green Leader perfectly fits their brand identity and mission.
“Our business model is based on using ingredients from farmers markets and local fisheries, while aiming for minimal waste and soon, zero plastics,” said restaurant co-owner Leena Culhane. “We believe that it’s our responsibility to create the future we want to see. One where small businesses work together to build a sustainable economy that feeds our community in many ways. 100% Green Power is a natural fit for our endeavors.”
Green Leaders represent a wide range of industries — from agriculture and transportation to hospitality, food and beverage, and beyond — reflecting strong local commitment to building a green economy through collaboration. Green Leaders receive a variety of complimentary program benefits including recognition of their commitment, a promotional toolkit to share their stature as a Green Leader, a business listing on CPA’s website, and opportunities to be featured in CPA’s social media and newsletter.
One of the newest Green Leaders, MW Enterprises LLC located in View Park-Windsor Hills in Los Angeles County, a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Community Business Enterprise Program (CBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise, is excited to utilize real estate development to help create more sustainable communities.
“Joining the Clean Power Alliance’s Green Leader Program aligns with our values as a real estate development company committed to sustainability,” said Mel Wyatt, Principal of MW Enterprises. “It showcases our dedication to environmental efforts and contributes to building a cleaner energy future.”
In addition to offering energy and cost savings programs to small businesses, CPA has expanded our efforts to attract and engage diverse businesses for contracting opportunities with targeted outreach and direct communication to local business owners. To learn more about CPA’s business contracting opportunities, visit cleanpoweralliance.org/contracting-opportunities.
For more information about our Green Leader program or to sign up, visit cleanpoweralliance.org/greenleader.
