CHAMBER LUNCH AT LOCUST STREET PUB HOSTS RIBBON CUTTING, PRESENTATION FROM NOVA TERRA SOLAR
Locust Street Pub
618-352-3137
824 S. Locust St. | Centralia, IL
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Nova Terra Solar
618-322-6986
https://www.novaterrasolar.com/
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce hosted its May luncheon Wednesday at Locust Street Pup, the newest restaurant from Kretzer’s Grill & Bar owners, LD and Tina Kretzer.
The event, which was heavily attended by Chamber members, guests of the Locust Street Pub and local media, featured a ribbon cutting for the business and presentation from Chamber community partners, Nova Terra Solar.
Following a buffet-style meal catered by Locust Street Pub, Nova Terra Solar co-owners Cameron Clark and Camden Snow discussed their company’s mission, some upcoming initiatives, and the benefits they provide the community.
“We noticed a problem both in the solar industry as well as in the housing industry,” said Clark. “There’s issue with affordability. So, business owners, homeowners, and people who are renting are constantly facing utility costs going up, housing costs going up, the cost-of-living increases. We want to get in and do separate involvements here both in housing and in solar and help make that barrier of entry a little bit lower to help people get into their first home.”
Snow added, “We have developed a program where someone could come in and do a rent-to-own on a normal lease for 30 years. We’ll buy a home for someone, put solar up, and make the home efficient and it will be a normal lease. That will include everything; trash, wi-fi, electricity, gas, anything you can think of is all included. So, people who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to afford a home would be able to.”
Clark and Snow announced that the first home in the program has been bought locally by the company, with plans to purchase more in the future.
“The biggest announcement today is the first house we have on that model actually closes on Friday,” Clark explained, “We’ve got all of the paperwork and the groundwork set, so as soon we get that closed we’ll be putting solar on it, we’ll get a homeowner moved in there, and then we’ll have that first house of this year done. We want to do three or four more, ideally in the Centralia area.”
Snow also mentioned Nova Terra Solar’s Summer of Savings program, which includes discounts during the summer months and charitable donations to local entities of the customer’s choice.
“The summer promotion we have going on right now is called the Summer of Savings. We are offering 10-to-20 percent off of every solar testing we conduct in the local areas,” said Snow. “What we are doing to give back to the community, depending on where the homeowner or business owner wants the donation to go to, we are [donating] $1,000 to the city, a local business, or a local charity.”
The co-owners said Nova Terra Solar is also branching out into tree service and power washing, noting that connections have recently been made with local providers.
After the presentation, those in attendance celebrated the Locust Street Pub with a ribbon cutting ceremony just outside the business, with photos taken beneath the company mural painted by Studio Bee. Moments before the ceremony, Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder wished to thank LD and TIna for their investment in Centralia and for updating the space into a destination restaurant and bar.
“What they had and what they have taken it to is a great accomplishment. On behalf of the city I thank you for what you have done and what you have turned this into. We appreciate it, the community appreciates it. Great food, great atmosphere, and again, thank you.”
