Sustainability Initiatives
all are active as of October 2024
The Village works to promote sustainable development through Climate Smart Community (CSC) and Clean-Energy Community (CEC) campaigns. Each campaign consists of delegated actions that, when completed by residents of the Village, can be submitted for points that lead to accreditation of the Village and grant money that can be used to further the Village's sustainability Vision. The actions are managed and led by the Climate Justice Fellow and Sustainability Committee and are funded by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The Village of Montour Falls was given Bronze certification as a Climate-Smart Community in 2019 and is currently working towards Silver certification.
Please refer to the different campaigns below. Your actions matter and can help the Village lead the local area in combatting climate change give back to the community financially!
Please refer to the different campaigns below. Your actions matter and can help the Village lead the local area in combatting climate change give back to the community financially!
Climate Smart Small Business Grant
The Village of Montour Falls has partnered up with the Appalachian Regional Commission to provide small grants to businesses in the Village. By completing a clean energy, climate smart, or energy efficiency project, your business may be eligible for a grant to assist in the project or other business expenses. For a list of eligible projects, check out the Frequently asked questions below.
For more information, contact Amanda Rodriguez Demaria at [email protected].
For more information, contact Amanda Rodriguez Demaria at [email protected].
Accepting Application for Climate Smart Small Business Grants
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2024
MONTOUR FALLS SUPPORTS LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
Montour Falls announces grants available to help mitigate climate change impacts and strengthen local businesses' sustainability.
MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. — The Village of Montour Falls has partnered with the Appalachian Regional Commission in the establishment of a Climate Smart Small Business Grant Fund to assist local for-profit small businesses. The grants will provide funding for projects that strengthen the sustainability of the village and the businesses.
“Sustainability is more than decreasing energy usage.” stated Mayor James Ryan, “It is also strengthening our local economy and businesses against all uncertainties, whether that be climate change or economic downturns. As a Climate Smart Community, we understand that a strong economy and climate change mitigation go hand in hand.”
Each grant will be for up to $10,000 and can be used for a wide variety of projects. Projects may include installing energy-efficient equipment, replacing gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles, providing recycling bins next to all trash receptacles, and much more.
Grant applications and more information regarding applicable projects are available!
Click below for more information.
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2024
MONTOUR FALLS SUPPORTS LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
Montour Falls announces grants available to help mitigate climate change impacts and strengthen local businesses' sustainability.
MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. — The Village of Montour Falls has partnered with the Appalachian Regional Commission in the establishment of a Climate Smart Small Business Grant Fund to assist local for-profit small businesses. The grants will provide funding for projects that strengthen the sustainability of the village and the businesses.
“Sustainability is more than decreasing energy usage.” stated Mayor James Ryan, “It is also strengthening our local economy and businesses against all uncertainties, whether that be climate change or economic downturns. As a Climate Smart Community, we understand that a strong economy and climate change mitigation go hand in hand.”
Each grant will be for up to $10,000 and can be used for a wide variety of projects. Projects may include installing energy-efficient equipment, replacing gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles, providing recycling bins next to all trash receptacles, and much more.
Grant applications and more information regarding applicable projects are available!
Click below for more information.
| Climate Smart Small Business Grant Application |
| Climate Smart Small Business Grant Policies |
Money and Energy Savings Campaigns
Money and Energy Savings Campaigns
1) Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are the way of the future! By considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), you can contribute to the creation of a brighter, cleaner future for our generations to come. Driving an electric vehicle (whether a battery-type or motor-gasoline hybrid) uses less to no gasoline and therefore puts out less greenhouse gas emissions. This option is also cost-effective, as you can skip the gas pump and charge your car at your own home with a basic 120v outlet or a public 240v level 2 charger. One run on a battery typically averages 300 miles. A battery lasts 10-20 years, giving the typical gasoline-powered vehicle a worthy opponent. As a bonus, by purchasing an electric vehicle, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $2,000 and a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500!
Please scan the QR code below or email [email protected] to answer a few quick questions about your EV purchase and a chance to earn the Village some money! To qualify, you must reside within the Village of Montour Falls and have purchased an electric vehicle after June 2021. Vehicles must be purchased and not leased. If responding via email, please answer the following questions (copy and paste questions into email if desired):
1) Your home's zip code (or full residential address, if desired)
2) Dealership from which you purchased the vehicle
3) The date the purchase was made
4) The year / make / model of the vehicle
5) Whether the vehicle was purchased new or used
Thank you in advance for participating!
Please scan the QR code below or email [email protected] to answer a few quick questions about your EV purchase and a chance to earn the Village some money! To qualify, you must reside within the Village of Montour Falls and have purchased an electric vehicle after June 2021. Vehicles must be purchased and not leased. If responding via email, please answer the following questions (copy and paste questions into email if desired):
1) Your home's zip code (or full residential address, if desired)
2) Dealership from which you purchased the vehicle
3) The date the purchase was made
4) The year / make / model of the vehicle
5) Whether the vehicle was purchased new or used
Thank you in advance for participating!
2) Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign
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Sustainable Montour Falls is partnering with Smart Energy Choices to provide all residents and businesses with resources to save money on utility bills without sacrificing comfort. Smart Energy Choices is a collaboration of Cornell Cooperative Extension offices of Broome, Chemung, Delaware, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins counties, and serves as the NYSERDA Regional Clean Energy Hub for the Southern Tier region. Our team brings over a decade of experience in energy work, including with the Community Energy Engagement Program, Ag Energy NY, Clean Energy Communities and HeatSmart Finger Lakes South. When you contact Smart Energy Choices, you’ll be connected to one of their trained Community Energy Advisors, who can share resources on energy efficiency, clean heating and cooling, solar power, and more. Here are some of the free services they offer:
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How do I get involved?
Click on these links to learn more about... |
3) Community Solar
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What is Community Solar?
Community Solar is when you sign up (fee-free) to support the development of solar farms without physically having solar panels on the roof of your property. Residents will pay for their solar credits at a discounted price, saving a guaranteed 10% on their energy bill. What are the Benefits? When you sign up for community solar, you get a guaranteed discount of 10-20% off of your energy bills. |
How do I get involved?
Click this link to sign up in under 5 minutes...all you need is your utility account number! Community Solar With No Rooftop Panels | Nexamp If you need help signing up or want more information, contact Emma at [email protected]. |
Buy Local Campaign
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There are Multiple benefits of buying your food and other products from local businesses and producers. First, this helps support our local economy ensuring that our community will remain prosperous. In addition, buying local reduces the pollution that would be created from transporting food and products across the country and the world. Here are some easy ways to support the Buy Local Campaign in Montour Falls:
Montour Farmer's Market - Thursdays from 4-7pm come see our vendors who provide 100% local products (SNAP Benefits Accepted). Community Sourced Agriculture (CSA) - Pick up fresh produce from local farms every Thursday. Listing of Local Businesses - Prioritize local businesses over chain stores. Montour Market - This grocery store was developed to become a hub for fresh, healthy, local produce and products (SNAP Benefits Accepted). |
Here's how you can buy local:
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Food Waste Reduction/ Recycling Campaign
When food from our restaurants and homes ends up in the landfill, it creates air and water pollution. Food waste reduction and composting are a great way to lessen this negative impact. Check out the list of items to compost, below, from Finger Lakes Composting!
• ALL Food scraps - Including meat/bones & dairy
• Coffee grounds, filters & tea bags
• Napkins & paper towels
• COMPOSTABLE liners/packaging/cutlery
• Pet & human hair
• Yard & houseplant clippings
• Leaves, wood chips & saw dust
• Potting soil (NO Miracle Grow or chemicals)
• Feathers/flowers
• ALL Food scraps - Including meat/bones & dairy
• Coffee grounds, filters & tea bags
• Napkins & paper towels
• COMPOSTABLE liners/packaging/cutlery
• Pet & human hair
• Yard & houseplant clippings
• Leaves, wood chips & saw dust
• Potting soil (NO Miracle Grow or chemicals)
• Feathers/flowers
Compost Drop Spots:
Food waste can be deposited in the lavender bins at seven locations in Montour Falls. Finger Lakes Compost turns your spoils into beneficial soil!
Below is a map of the updated 2025 drop sites:
Food waste can be deposited in the lavender bins at seven locations in Montour Falls. Finger Lakes Compost turns your spoils into beneficial soil!
Below is a map of the updated 2025 drop sites:
1) Montour Falls Memorial Library, 406 West Main St. - 44 gallon
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2) Montour Falls Tea Company, 214 West Main St. - 20 gallon
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3) Broadway Flats Bus Stop, 208 W. Broadway
- 20 gallon
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5) Department of Public Works, 195 Cook St. - 20 gallon
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4) United Methodist Church, 124 Owego St. - 20 gallon
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How Can You Get Involved?
Smart Energy Choices
This site contains a wide range of resources for addressing your home energy usage. On this site you will find resources for performing a free Energy Audit (up to a $800 value!), switching your home energy to renewable sources, and upgrading your heating and cooling system efficiency.
This site contains a wide range of resources for addressing your home energy usage. On this site you will find resources for performing a free Energy Audit (up to a $800 value!), switching your home energy to renewable sources, and upgrading your heating and cooling system efficiency.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County
Our friends at CCE Schuyler have many resources and community educators dedicated to topics as broad as forestry, composting, solar installation, and invasive species. Check them out below!
Energy
This section has resources on how to connect your farm or house to solar energy, energy saving and cost reducing upgrades you can make to your home, as well as connections to other resources to help heat, cool, and power your home efficiently.
Environment
Here you will find resources related to agriculture, horticulture, forest management, and soil quality. Check out CCE's resources on recycling, composting, water quality, and more!
Our friends at CCE Schuyler have many resources and community educators dedicated to topics as broad as forestry, composting, solar installation, and invasive species. Check them out below!
Energy
This section has resources on how to connect your farm or house to solar energy, energy saving and cost reducing upgrades you can make to your home, as well as connections to other resources to help heat, cool, and power your home efficiently.
Environment
Here you will find resources related to agriculture, horticulture, forest management, and soil quality. Check out CCE's resources on recycling, composting, water quality, and more!
Other Steps You Can Take
In addition to the resources above, there are simple steps everyone can take to reduce energy use and GHG emissions. Here is one of our favorites: Green your commute by walking, biking, or carpooling to work rather than driving by yourself. Reducing the amount you drive reduces your emissions, and saving on gas will help your wallet too!
In addition to the resources above, there are simple steps everyone can take to reduce energy use and GHG emissions. Here is one of our favorites: Green your commute by walking, biking, or carpooling to work rather than driving by yourself. Reducing the amount you drive reduces your emissions, and saving on gas will help your wallet too!
