CL&P and SAMA Join Forces to Teach Energy-Conscious Business 101

Imagine a place where entrepreneurs and small business owners can learn everything from basic computer skills to business management essentials and energy-saving strategies that conserve resources and money – all free of charge. Just such an opportunity is a reality for Connecticut’s Latino community, thanks to the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA), CL&P and the Northeast Utilities Foundation.

SAMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and development of Latino-owned businesses and business owners throughout Connecticut. SAMA’s mission is to equip the population it serves with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve career independence, provide high quality goods and services, and succeed as business owners.

With financial backing from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Northeast Utilities Foundation, SAMA offers a free 10-week course in energy and computer technology training for small business owners, especially Latino business owners. The program has run every six months for the past five years, graduating nearly 300 people to date. This May, 12 more well-prepared graduates bring their new skills and knowledge to the workforce.

SAMA Training Director Ana Sánchez-Adorno developed the course curriculum, which includes basic computer skills, with an introduction to Microsoft Word, an overview of the legal aspects of creating a business entity, a section on business accounting in QuickBooks program, insurance matters, and energy conservation. Sánchez- Adorno and another SAMA instructor provide most of the training, but are joined by an employee from CL&P for the section on energy conservation.

“We are trying to educate the community about how important it is to conserve energy,” says Julio Mendoza, executive director of SAMA. “In the future, we’re hoping to also offer site visits to provide an energy audit. If a participant is interested, we would actually visit their place of business with the CL&P trainer to provide specific advice on how that person can take steps to save money and run a greener business.”

The Northeast Utilities Foundation has been providing funding for the SAMA program since 2000.

“They’re one of our most important partners,” says Sánchez-Adorno, “and we are grateful for their commitment to us and our community. We’re lucky to have their support, and hope it continues for many more years.”