Planning for retirement, Eric Clough recognized his passions: birds and bikes. The former project manager for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality embarked on international birding trips and found camaraderie among bike enthusiasts. Eric Clough envisioned starting a bike shop on the Coos Bay waterfront. 

After 20 years working for the State at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Eric Clough envisioned starting a bike shop on the Coos Bay waterfront. He and his wife purchased a former A.F.W. hall despite its distressed state and renovated the space for Front Street Community Bike Works. 

They started renovations on the roof, followed by structural improvements – paint and insulation. The old fluorescent tube lighting? Well, that waited until three years later, when one of the shop’s volunteers mentioned Energy Trust of Oregon’s small business lighting offer. This offer provides upgrades at no cost to small businesses. Clough navigated the online approval process and shortly after, a trade ally contractor came to do the work, replacing the outdated fluorescents with energy-efficient LEDs and more. 

The LEDs made a difference to its space right away and helped the business align even more with their sustainability goals. With the help of Energy Trust’s lighting incentive, Front Street Community Bike Works shines a little brighter.