Cleveland, OH – June 15, 2012 — The Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber of Commerce (HRCC) and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) have announced a collaboration that will benefit area businesses and their employees.

Through this new partnership, Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber members are now eligible to participate in the COSE Energy Choice program, a dedicated resource that addresses small business energy challenges.

The COSE Energy Choice program extends the opportunity for area businesses to enroll in savings programs that feature some of the lowest rates in the market on natural gas and electricity generation.   The program also lets participants conduct facility energy assessments, and attend educational events.  In addition, the COSE Energy Choice program provides discounted residential utility rates, so employees of area businesses can also take advantage of energy cost savings opportunities.
“We are so excited to be working with the Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber in supporting their local small business members,” says Steve Millard, president and executive director of COSE.  “Developing a successful energy strategy is an important component to driving down overhead costs for businesses.”
“We continue to strengthen the value of Chamber membership through our affiliate relationship with COSE,” says Angie Pohlman, director of the Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “We’re delighted to be able to extend a benefit that employers can offer their employees.  When you can reach the employees as well as the employer, you really have a quality benefit.”

Business owners can get more information on the COSE Energy Choice program by contacting COSE at 216.592.2205 or energy@cose.org, and the Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber at 216.397.7322 or info@hrcc.org.

 About HRCC- is the premier chamber in Northeast Ohio, strengthening commerce in its six member cities – Cleveland Heights, Lyndhurst, Richmond Heights, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights –  and empowering business people across the region with innovative personal, professional and business development opportunities and cost savings on essential business services and products. For more about HRCC, call (216) 397-7322 or visit www.hrcc.org.

About COSE – COSE is one of the nation’s largest small business support organizations helping them to grow and maintain independence. Comprised of more than 14,000 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 products and services, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from each other. (www.cose.org)

Building upon the successful placement of six students last year, this year’s program has grown to place twelve students who will be exposed to career opportunities in the community and in the school district.  Students attended a series of job training workshops titled Workplace Etiquette, Overcoming Obstacles in the Workplace and Employer Expectations.  “The workshops were an excellent opportunity for us to set the table for our students to be successful in their summer internships and we taught some fantastic skills that will follow the students for a lifetime,” says Jeff Berenson, Transition to Work Coordinator for Brush High School.

The City of South Euclid will host six of the interns.  Students will experience a variety of workplace opportunities such as working with younger students, building community gardens, shadowing city building inspectors, police officers and fire fighters.  The other six interns will be working for the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School District summer grounds crew.  All students will work a total of six weeks, earning a stipend for their internship.

The internships are fully funded through a $10,000 grant awarded by the Legacy Village Lyndhurst Community Fund of The Cleveland Foundation.  “This is a win-win for our students, the school district and for the community.”  says Matt Rutkowski, director of ArcTech Academy – the alternative school for Brush High School.  “We have students doing meaningful summer work where they will gain valuable experience and we are serving the greater good of the community, all at zero cost to taxpayers.”

“We are delighted to work with SE-L Schools, the students, and the City of South Euclid.  Collaboration is an important element of doing business today.  We’re so pleased to model that for our students in a way that is tangible for them,” said Pohlman. “We’re so fortunate to have the support of the Legacy Village Lyndhurst Community Fund.”

HRCC is the premier chamber in Northeast Ohio, strengthening commerce in its six member cities – Cleveland Heights, Lyndhurst, Richmond Heights, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights – and empowering business people across the region with innovative personal, professional and business development opportunities and cost savings on essential business services and products. For more about HRCC, call (216) 397-7322 or visit www.hrcc.org.