Willmar Municipal Utilities build community with energy savings

In the fall of 2022, staff with Willmar Municipal Utilities (WMU) went the extra mile to make sure under-resourced community members had the resources needed to help reduce their energy costs.

WMU focused efforts on two groups of residents they were concerned about: the Latino community and residents living in manufactured home parks.

WMU Director of Administration Janell Johnson filled in the details. 

WMU staff shared translated educational materials created by CERTs, as well as LED bulbs to assist roughly seventy-five customers at the “You Belong Here” event.

In November, 137 mobile homes each received a conservation kit that included two faucet aerators, one low-flow showerhead, three LED light bulbs, three window films, a package of weather stripping, and educational material supplied by CERTs.

Park residents also received applications, educational materials, and an ice scraper/fly swatter (handy!) from United Community Action Partnership, which serves the area with both Energy Assistance and Weatherization services. 

Johnson says the project has given WMU further insight into how to focus their marketing to specific groups instead of their customer base as a whole.

She mentions that the project also strengthened relationships and opened up an avenue for understanding “housing situations where any assistance is appreciated to help them save energy, which assists in saving money.”

When asked about final advice for similar community outreach efforts, Johnson adds “stretch yourself and budget beyond the boundaries of a grant, the payback is 10-fold. Lean on the CERT's staff. We could not have hosted this successful event without their assistance and guidance.”