COSE Energy Challenge Offering $10,000 Top Prize

CLEVELAND, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) has announced the launch of the COSE Small Business Energy Efficiency Challenge.  Small businesses are encouraged to submit details of energy efficiency projects they've implemented in their business over the last year, with winners taking home as much as $10,000 in prize money.

Entries will be judged by a panel of energy efficient experts selected by COSE and winners will be announced during the COSE Small Business Conference in October.  To be eligible to enter the Challenge you must be a COSE member in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage or Summit counties, have no more than 100 employees, and have implemented an energy efficient practice or project within the last 12 months for which it can show a verifiable reduction in energy usage or costs or an increased use of clean or renewable energy.

One grand prize winner will be awarded $10,000. Cash prizes will also be awarded for the following sectors: goods and services, office/retail and home-business. In addition, winners will receive a free one-year COSE membership and a free one-year registration to Green Plus™. Green Plus is a green and sustainable certification and education program that is designed specifically for small and medium sized businesses. It gives employers affordable, practical support in succeeding financially while being good to their environment, employees and community.

Entries must be received by Monday, September 20.  To find more information on the Challenge, as well as the online entry form, businesses can log on to www.cose.org/energychallenge.

About COSE

COSE is one of Ohio's largest small business support organizations, striving to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. Comprised of more than 17,000 member companies, COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it's through group purchasing programs for health care, workers' compensation, or energy, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation to benefit small business, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from each other. (www.cose.org)

SOURCE Council of Smaller Enterprises