Jay Sachetti joined Jeff O’Brien, partner at Husch Blackwell and Dyanne Ross-Hanson, president of Exit Planning Strategies talked about the market for mergers and acquisitions, exit planning opportunities for companies that don’t end up for sale and how companies can maximize their eventual sale price during an early October panel at the first Upsize on Tap event at Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul.
When the state Legislature passed a law requiring employers to provide paid leave and safe time for employees, Justin Bieganek started hearing differing details from friends, colleagues and peers.
Paul Steinhauser believes that the supposed conflict between economic growth and the environment is a myth. He’s the general partner who built White Bear Racquet & Swim Club in 1988. By 2001, he says, the club had a good reputation with members. But Steinhauser was thinking bigger.
“We expanded our definition of health to include environmental health,” he says, and the next year embarked on a $3-million renovation “to move the whole organization toward sustainability.
“I assumed that while it was the right thing to do and would save us money, it would be painful to members,” Steinhauser says. But members and employees may like the changes even more than the accountants. Some examples:
He switched the chlorine system for the pools to salt. “Instead of 4,000 gallons a year of chlorine, at $6,000 a year, we now spend $500 a year on salt,” Steinhauser says. “It’s a way less caustic experience. We’re not poisoning everyone.”
He switched the lighting to solar tubes, so the electricity switches off when enough sunlight is collected. The life of the light bulbs doubled, the air conditioning load is reduced. “And then you look at the studies of how daylight makes people feel.”
He replaced one of his two tennis court bubbles, which cost more than $40,000 a year to heat, with a metal insulated building and a special heating system. Costs were cut dramatically, as expected, but tennis revenue grew by $150,000, too. Members liked the quiet, non-drafty surroundings.
Steinhauser received help on some of the changes from an Xcel Energy program called Energy Design Assistance. Xcel pays for a consultant to review construction documents, and propose alternative lighting and heating/cooling options.
Owners who install those options receive a rebate for every kilowatt saved during one peak demand period, compared to if they’d simply met state code. The rebate is a one-time payment, either $170 or $200 per kilowatt saved.
Julia Gauthier, of Xcel Energy in Minneapolis, worked with Steinhauser. She says many other rebate programs exist through Xcel, including for smaller projects such as replacing lighting. The programs are part of Xcel’s state-mandated conservation improvement efforts. Xcel’s Business Solutions Center has information: 800.481.4700; www.xcelenergy.com
Julia Gauthier, Xcel Energy: 612.337.2120; ju************@********gy.com; www.xcelenergy.com. Paul Steinhauser, White Bear Racquet & Swim: 651.426.1308; pa**@***it.com; www.wbfit.com
