Yesterday, December 15, 2009, my husband had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with President Obama as the 'Cash for Caulkers' program was annonced in Alexandria, VA . This new program will offer homeowners financial incentives to weatherize thier homes. The government program is designed to help homeowners save money on their monthly bills, but also to take steps to reduce the amount of energy used in our country to heat and cool our homes.
My husband, BobWeatherwax , owns a company called Ardent 360, in the D.C Metropolitan area, which is comprised of several home building/remodeling companies, one of which is Ardently Green. Last month Ardently Green won a large contract with a private group called Weatherize D.C. which has given them some local visibility. In addition to helping homeowners audit and weatherize their homes, as part of the program, Ardently Green has formed a partnership with a local union to create jobs in the home energy reduction and green home products industry. Ardently Green recently hired and trained a young man who was invited to sit in on the president's round table discussion yesterday.
As the President of the Ardently Green, my husband was invited to the event the press conference introducing this new program. He had the opportunity to shake hands and chat with President Obama. I thought I would share the photos from this extraordinary opportunity (sorry for the quality of the pictures; the photographer was the guy sitting next to him).
This incentive is one that all homeowners should plan to take advantage of in 2010. Not everyone needed to buy a new car, during Cash for Clunkers, nor did everyone need new appliances during the appliance version, but all of us can benefit from a Home Energy Audit and the addition of extra insulation, caulking, new windows and/or doors, and other items designed to improve the weather sealing and energy efficiency in our homes.
Congratulations to Ardently Green--and my husband, Bob!
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Some of the details for the Cash for Caulkers program still in the works can best be seen in the Yahoo news story link http://tinyurl.com/yb89dae about this tax incentive for homeowners and economic stimulus for big box companies like Home Depot and energy efficient suppliers.
The launch does appear to be geared for 2010 with a mixture of rebates and tax incentives for homeowners who can afford to remodel. The cost of the government program is expected to be 10Bn.
It certainly could be a good alternative for homeowners planning to sell who need some energy-efficient upgrades on their home and if the the costs/numbers work to their advantage.
Santa Fe, NM local government has announced it will provide a rebate on the purchase of more energy efficient washing machines sometime in 2010. To date, I have not seen details of how and when but I am tracking for my customers and clients.
Nice. . .I bet it was a carnival at Home Depot while Obama was there.
How cool is that Holly?!!!
I remember when Clinton came to our little town, and I got the chance to meet him, it was definitely a very neat experience.
Cash for Appliances one? I missed that one. Then again I didn't know since I don't watch the news that much anymore. Congratulations to Ardent 360. I would've love to meet President Obama. Great post.
Sounds like a great program. And what a cool opportunity to meet Obama!!!
Hi Holly...congratulations to you and your husband. What an honor to meet president Obama. I hope this program really gains traction with the people that need it the most.
Happy Holidays...
john