Montgomery Energy Connection and Alcohol Beverage Services: Partnership on the LED & Libations Campaign

2021 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Montgomery County, Md., MD

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Montgomery Energy Connection (MEC) is a County program created to provide residents with customized education on energy efficiency, availability of programs, and opportunities for assistance. This program, managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), involved partnering with Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) in October 2020 to launch the LEDs and Libations Campaign.October is Energy Action Month, and this targeted outreach program was launched to reach residents where they shop. Since ABS locations were one of the few County locations open during the COVID-19 state of emergency, the partnership benefitted residents by providing energy efficient (LED) light bulbs at no additional cost.The LEDs and Libations Campaign was launched at all 26 County-owned liquor stores, where more than 1,300 LED lightbulbs were distributed to customers purchasing Maryland Made alcohol products to encourage a reduction in energy use while supporting local, Maryland alcohol manufacturers. In fact, a 704% lift in sales of small Maryland Made products was seen in ABS stores compared to October the year before. This unique partnership helped educate local residents on energy efficiency in an unlikely place, their local liquor store, while meeting people where they are and supporting local businesses.

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