Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities' statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, recently celebrated a major milestone.

FOE's Small Business Program has successfully reached its 10,000th participant in the state with Manitowoc's Zutz Cheese House participating and achieving energy savings.

The downtown 10th Street business near Late's and Cedar Crest Ice Cream has sold and delivered Wisconsin-made cheeses in for more than 60 years.

In an effort to save energy and achieve cost savings, they turned to the Small Business Program and their electric utility, Manitowoc Public Utilities. The business replaced T8 troffers with LED troffers and halogen lamps with 8-watt LED lamps.

"The project went great," said Dennis Zutz, Zutz Cheese House owner. "I love the lights and am looking forward to saving money on my utility bill."

The program provides businesses with free lighting assessments to identify opportunities for energy efficiency and cost savings, in addition to immediate installation of energy-saving products.

Businesses with an average monthly electric demand of 100 kW or less are eligible for incentives that help pay for the installation of interior and exterior LED lighting, T12 to T8 fluorescent lighting retrofits, high bay fixtures and other measures.

West Bend-based Senergy Green Technologies is the registered Focus on Energy Trade Ally who completed the project.

"We are delighted to reach this milestone in the program," said Nathan Baer, Focus on Energy's Small Business Program manager. "Our team and trade allies have worked diligently over the past three years to help small businesses become more energy efficient and achieve cost savings, and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon."

The Small Business Program started in July 2012 and has served about 4,000 customers per year, with more than 150 trade allies delivering the program statewide.

On average, participating businesses save more than $1,000 per year.

Since the program's debut, 932 bars and restaurants, 289 churches, 101 private schools, 52 bowling alleys, and 30 supper clubs have participated across the state.

For more information regarding the Small Business Program, visit https://focusonenergy.com/smallbusiness, or call (800) 762-7077.