Southwestern Indiana small businesses receive Optimize for Local grants from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
Grants will fund energy efficiency improvements for locally owned restaurants and retailers
2026-06-16T05:00:00Z

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. – June 16, 2026 – The CenterPoint Energy Foundation today announced the recipients of its Optimize for Local grants to nine small business customers – independently owned restaurants and retailers across southwestern Indiana – to make energy efficiency improvements to their facilities.

Each business was awarded up to $25,000 in matching grant funding to complete upgrades that reduce energy waste and improve building performance. Funded projects focus on critical facility improvements, including HVAC replacement, refrigeration upgrades and building efficiency enhancements that address aging infrastructure directly affecting day-to-day operations.

“All of us at CenterPoint Energy are committed to prioritizing affordability and supporting the local small businesses at the heart of our communities. These grants are designed to empower local restaurants and retailers to make critical upgrades that improve energy efficiency, lower usage and reinvest the savings into the work they continue to do for our communities each and every day," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

The Optimize for Local grant recipients and their funded projects are:

  • Gehlhausen — installing new HVAC and blower systems, and making lighting and electrical upgrades
  • Haynie's Corner Mart — installing a new air conditioning unit and cooler, improved lighting and added insulation
  • Honey Moon Coffee Co. — installing a new heating and cooling system and new refrigeration
  • La Campirana — replacing six aging refrigerators and six freezers with a single energy-efficient walk-in cooler and freezer an installing new refrigeration and lighting
  • The Old Mill — installing two new heating and cooling units for the back dining room
  • The Peephole Bar & Grill — installing a new heating and cooling system, windows and insulation
  • River City Coffee & Goods — installing two new heating and cooling systems
  • Sandy's Pizza — installing new energy-efficient ovens and a new heating and cooling system
  • The Vineyard — installing four new heating and cooling units​

For Sandy's Pizza, the grant funding will help replace two of the most essential pieces of equipment in the business.

"The oven is the most important piece of equipment we have and replacing it along with our 25-year-old air conditioning is a big investment for a small business like ours," said Dan Bittner, owner of Sandy's Pizza. "In the summer it gets so hot in the kitchen that it's hard to keep employees, and that heat rolls right out into the dining room. This grant is helping us put in a more efficient oven and cooling system. We're even talking about rolling out ice cream now, and with the new equipment, it might actually make it to the table before it melts."

Commitment to Affordability
CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, which is supported by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates, is one of CenterPoint's broader Community Affordability Actions, a series of steps taken since October 2025 to support southwestern Indiana customers.

As part of this affordability initiative, CenterPoint has also introduced new bill management and cost-savings tools, expanded customer support programs and implemented additional protections such as annual late-fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and safeguards for medically vulnerable customers.

For more ways to save energy and costs customers can go to CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.​

 Recent News

 

 
CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards $350,000 in energy efficiency grants to southwestern Indiana nonprofits to help reduce costs

Fourteen local grant recipients include the Tri-State Food Bank, Vanderburgh County CASA and the Vanderburgh County Humane Society, among others 

Grants are part of CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, which to date has provided $2.5 million in funding to CenterPoint Hoosier customers

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – July 16, 2026 – Today, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation awarded $350,000 in matching grants to 14 local nonprofit organizations across southwestern Indiana to support energy efficiency improvements at their facilities. The matching grants announced today are part of a series of Community Affordability Actions CenterPoint launched last year to support its southwestern Indiana customers, including the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, which to date has provided $2.5 million in funding to CenterPoint Energy's residential, small business, local retail and restaurant and nonprofit customers.

"All of us at CenterPoint are committed to prioritizing affordability and supporting the local nonprofits at the heart of our communities. These grants will help empower these nonprofit organizations, to make upgrades that reduce expenses, improve operational efficiency and increase their ability to deliver critical services to our communities," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

In addition to the matching grant funds, CenterPoint Energy will provide each grantee with a facility assessment and a 10-year energy efficiency improvement roadmap, expert guidance and educational webinars to help staff manage energy use over time and further reduce costs for the organizations. By reducing energy usage and lowering operating costs, these improvements will help local organizations dedicate more resources to serving the communities that rely on them. The grants reflect CenterPoint's continued commitment to prioritizing affordability for the Hoosier customers it serves.

Supporting Southwestern Indiana Nonprofits
The nonprofit grantees – each awarded up to $25,000 in matching grants for critical facility improvements, such as HVAC replacements, lighting upgrades and building efficiency enhancements – include:

  • Ark Crisis Children's Center
  • Community Action Program of Evansville
  • Encountering Hope Ministries, Inc. (Hope Central)
  • Evansville Christian Life Center
  • Holly's House, Inc.
  • Joshua Academy Charter School
  • Lampion Center
  • Potters Wheel Inc.
  • Reitz Home Preservation Society, Inc.
  • The Salvation Army of Evansville
  • The Way of Rockport Indiana, Inc.
  • Tri-State Food Bank, Inc.
  • Vanderburgh County CASA, Inc.
  • Vanderburgh County Humane Society, Inc.

“As a nonprofit, reducing energy costs allows us to redirect resources to our family services rather than building operations. Every dollar saved is a dollar that can be reinvested into supporting children and families and expanding our capacity to make a positive difference in the community," said Sarah Reis, Executive Director of Vanderburgh County CASA. 

CenterPoint Energy Announces “Emergency Preparedness Week”

Week-long awareness effort to highlight emergency resources, tools and safety tips to help customers be ready throughout hurricane season

Customers will be encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service® to stay informed during severe weather and emergency events

​

HOUSTON – July 14, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy today announced the launch of “Emergency Preparedness Week" to help raise customers' awareness of an array of vital emergency resources, storm safety tips and enhanced communication tools. As part of the week-long effort, which will include a social media campaign and direct outreach to customers, CenterPoint will also be encouraging its 2.9 million customers across the Greater Houston area to update their emergency plans, enroll in Power Alert Service® (PAS) to receive timely alerts about extreme weather, outages and restoration efforts, and visit the company's Action Center website to learn about other ways to be ready for emergencies.

“Extreme weather, hurricanes and emergency events can happen at any time, and we want all our customers and their families to be better prepared. Whether it is updating their emergency plan, enrolling in PAS or taking other safety steps, we all must work together to be ready before storms strike," said Raja Subramanian, Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.

Emergency Preparedness Week: Actions to Be Highlighted
During Emergency Preparedness Week, CenterPoint will be highlighting an array of tools, resources and tips available to help customers be prepared before the next emergency strikes, including:

  • Signing up for Power Alert Service: Enroll to receive free alerts by phone call, text or email about outages, restoration and storm response efforts. Customers can also add up to 15 family and friends to receive alerts for the customers' address.
  • Using CenterPoint's Outage Tracker: View the most up-to-date outage and restoration information by address and report outages.
  • Exploring Emergency Partner Resources: Find additional support through the United Way 211 Helpline, which connects customers with the help they need through a comprehensive database of social services, and the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) program, a free registry to let local emergency responders know if you or a loved one require extra assistance in an emergency.
  • Preparing an Emergency Plan and Supply Kit: Create an emergency safety plan and prepare a week's worth of supplies for your home, including bottled water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit and extra batteries.
  • Avoiding Downed Lines: Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and always assume they are still energized.
  • Reporting Gas Leaks: If you smell gas, leave the area immediately on foot, and call CenterPoint at 713-659-2111.

For more information and emergency preparedness tips and resources, follow CenterPoint Energy on social media and visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 

As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

CenterPoint Energy Indiana Highlights Ongoing Commitment to Customer Affordability in Open Letter to Customers and Stakeholders

​Open letter outlines series of affordability actions, including commitment to keeping rates stable for two years, $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, bill adjustments and other critical steps 

Company stresses importance of prioritizing customer affordability, investing in resiliency and economic growth vital to ensuring $250 million in future customer energy savings 

Evansville, Ind. – July 14, 2026 – Today, CenterPoint Energy Indiana released an open letter on its ongoing commitment to affordability addressed to customers and stakeholders, including state and local elected leaders, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, and other community stakeholders. In the open letter, CenterPoint outlined the series of affordability actions it has taken since last year, including: a commitment to keep rates stable through 2027, and a series of bill adjustments and credits to offset October 2025 rate increases. CenterPoint also outlined its public initiatives to raise awareness on programs, tips, and tools available to help customers save energy and money, as well hundreds of millions of dollars in future customer savings possible as additional capacity is added to the local grid.

“Energy affordability is very important to our customers and our CenterPoint Indiana team. We are committed to working alongside our state and local leaders, our regulator, and community stakeholders to continue to prioritize customer affordability and build on the actions we've already taken. Looking to the future, by working together and adding more capacity, we are excited by the real opportunity to save our customers hundreds of millions of dollars even as we build a more reliable and more resilient energy future for our Hoosier families," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

Action Taken: Prioritizing Customer Affordability
Since October 2025, CenterPoint Energy Indiana has taken a series of Community Affordability Actions, which include:

  • Two-year rate stability: Keeping rates stable through 2027, in part, by canceling nearly $1 billion in previously approved generation projects that had become non-economical, saving customers approximately $18 per month.
  • Offsetting October 2025 rate increase: Delivering a credit to residential customers by December 2025, through bill adjustments and credits, to offset rate changes that took effect in October 2025.
  • Voluntarily reduced company profits: Agreeing to lower its authorized return as part of the rate case approved by the IURC in February 2025.
  • Voluntarily eliminated profits on a retired power plant: Eliminating profits on an older, retired coal plant under recent state legislation, reducing customer cost impacts by approximately $5 per month since June 2023.
  • Fourteen years without a base rate case: Filing no formal base rate case requesting increases in electric base rates between 2009 and 2023.

Actions Taken: Bringing Support Directly to Southwestern Indiana Customers
CenterPoint has also launched a series of programs focused on reducing energy burdens and helping customers better manage their costs, including:

  • Customer Connect: Adding new in-person service options in downtown Evansville for customers to get account support, learn about and enroll in cost- and energy-saving programs, and pay their monthly bill.
  • Reduced Call Center Wait Times: Reducing call center wait times by 70% between May and June '26, resulting in wait times of less than one minute for CenterPoint Energy's Hoosier customers.
  • A $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund: Supporting Hoosier customers through an array of weatherization, energy efficiency and community development projects.
  • The Home Repair & Care Program: Assisting eligible homeowners with energy-saving home improvements. To date, 80-plus households have received energy efficiency enhancements.
  • Optimize for Local: Providing up to $25,000 in matching grants to nine locally owned restaurants and retailers to help make energy efficiency improvements.
  • Optimize for Good: Helping 14 southwestern Indiana nonprofits save energy and costs through matching grants of up to $25,000 to make critical facilities improvements, enabling the organizations to dedicate more resources to serving the communities that rely on them.
  • No-Cost Smart Thermostats and Bill Credits: Expanding energy-efficiency offerings that include no-cost smart thermostats for eligible customers and a one-time bill credit of $75 for signing up for the Smart Cycle program and annual bill credits of up to $67.50 while enrolled.

Working Together: A Commitment to Continued Collaboration
In the letter to Indiana energy stakeholders, CenterPoint outlined the actions it continues taking to prioritize affordability now and in the future, including:

  • Maintaining its two-year rate stability commitment.
  • Supporting local economic development that will create thousands of new jobs, and lower energy costs and taxes for Hoosiers, while increasing funding for public services like schools and roads.
  • Expanding further its community assistance and energy-efficiency programs, including the Community Energy Improvement Fund initiatives.
  • Exploring additional affordability measures and bill assistance options, including a proactive rate design review in consultation with IURC staff and stakeholders.
  • Participating actively in affordability discussions and workshops at the local and state level.
  • Providing transparent updates on the outcomes of affordability and reliability investments.
CenterPoint Energy launches “10 Days of Special Energy Savings” offers for Hoosiers

As part of a commitment its affordability, CenterPoint offering customers free to low-cost energy efficiency products through its Online Energy Efficiency Store

From July 1st-10th, customers will be able to save on a range of products


EVANSVILLE, Ind. – July 1, 2026 – As part of its commitment to affordability, CenterPoint Energy is helping Hoosier customers and families save energy and money with “10 Days of Special Energy Savings" on a range of energy efficiency products through its Online Energy Efficiency Store. The sale on energy savings products, which are for CenterPoint Energy customers only, will run July 1st through July 10th and will continue while supplies last. The range of energy savings products offered include smart thermostats, water-saving fixtures and weatherization items.

“We want to help our Hoosier families save energy and money. This sale makes it easier for our customers to find new ways to save with practical, energy-saving products for their homes, many at no cost, so they can lower their usage and take more control of their bills this summer and beyond," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

Helping Customers Save Energy and Money
During the 10 days of savings, and through the Online Energy Efficiency Store, eligible customers can order:

  • Air Purifiers: ENERGY STAR® certified air purifiers are more than 50% more energy-efficient than standard models while helping improve indoor air quality.
  • Smart Thermostats: ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostats can save an average of 8% on heating and cooling costs each year. Eligible customers can order a no-cost smart thermostat, including select Google Nest and ecobee models, with rebates applied automatically at checkout;
  • Standby-Power Savers: Devices left in standby mode can account for 5% to 10% of a home's energy use and can cost the average U.S. household as much as $100 a year. Advanced power strips, smart sockets and outdoor smart plugs help cut that usage;
  • Water-Saving Fixtures: A WaterSense®-labeled low-flow showerhead can save the average family about 2,700 gallons of water and more than 330 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Qualifying showerheads, aerators and shower accessories are available, with several at no cost while supplies last;
  • Weatherization Essentials: Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10% on annual energy bills. Pipe insulation, sealant and outlet gaskets help keep cooled air in and summer heat out.

CenterPoint Energy's Actions to Prioritize Affordability
The Online Energy Efficiency Store, launched in November 2024, is one of several ways CenterPoint is prioritizing affordability and energy savings for Indiana customers.

In October 2025, CenterPoint launched an initial series of Community Affordability Actions, including the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund. Since then, the company has introduced additional bill management tools and programs for southwestern Indiana customers and customer protections as part of the Indiana Electric rate case settlement, such as annual late fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and additional safeguards for medically vulnerable customers.

Customers can browse all available products year-round, and check eligibility, at CenterPointEnergy.com/Shop. Additional savings tips, tools and assistance resources are available through the Resource Hub at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.​

​
CenterPoint Energy Launches ‘Power Alert Service® Awareness Week’ to Encourage Customers to Sign Up for Free Emergency Communication Service

​​​More than 2.4 million customers currently signed up to receive Power Alert Service notifications on extreme weather, outages and restoration efforts. 

Multi-month public awareness campaign aimed at achieving 100% customer enrollment in free alert service that is especially critical during hurricane season. 

HOUSTON – June 30, 2026 – As part of its commitment to provide vital communications for its customers during emergencies or storms, CenterPoint Energy today announced the launch of “Power Alert Service® (PAS) Awareness Week" to help achieve its goal of enrolling 100% of its customers in PAS. To date, CenterPoint has signed up more than 2.4 million customers for this critical, free tool that provides timely alerts on outages, restoration estimates and important updates. For PAS Awareness Week, CenterPoint is launching a multi-month social media and customer outreach campaign that will extend throughout hurricane season across Greater Houston to drive PAS enrollment and help customers stay informed and safe during storms, emergencies or periods of extreme weather.

“During hurricane season, we know how important it is to provide timely, accurate information to our CenterPoint customers and their loved ones. Power Alert Service® is one of the most valuable tools available to help every customer across Greater Houston get the updates they need, when they need them. We also encourage customers to add additional household members or loved ones to receive alerts, so everyone stays informed during severe weather. Our team is more determined than ever to raise awareness of this free service and help enroll every one of the customers we're privileged to serve," said Raja Subramanian, CenterPoint Energy Chief Customer Officer.

The Power of PAS: A Free Service, Keeping Customers & Loved Ones Informed
CenterPoint launched PAS, a free service to customers who sign up, in 2012, to provide customers with alerts by phone call, text or email about outages at their location, estimated restoration times, important updates on CenterPoint storm preparedness and response efforts, and much more. An invaluable benefit is that customers can also sign up to 15 family members and/or friends to receive alerts. In late May and early June alone, CenterPoint sent nearly 3.9 million PAS notifications to keep its customers informed before, during and after the storms.

As part of its outreach campaign, CenterPoint will be utilizing its social media tools and will also be encouraging customers to sign up for PAS at Community Connect events scheduled across Greater Houston. A full schedule of upcoming Community Connect events is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/HoustonCommunityConnects.

For more information, follow CenterPoint Energy on social media or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com