One local cheese maker is redefining the way he makes his cheese, by having everything solar driven. But has it helped his business? Jessica Chen has more in this edition of Hudson Valley Business Beat.
GOSHEN, N.Y. -- When Alan Glustoff moved to Goshen from Pennsylvania four years ago, he knew it was for the long haul.
And what that meant for him was sustainability
"I really wanted to see what we could do today to make an impact on the future," said Glustoff.
And that's why he decided to transform his business, 5 Spoke Creamery to 100 percent solar energy. Now, more than a 100 blue solar panels line the field of his farm in Goshen.
And the effect, he said, has boosted his business.
"We would've hesitated putting in another aging room, but we have enough power to run it and the project has been accelerating," said Glustoff.
He said the solar energy has helped him reduce energy costs, which has allowed him to funnel money into other parts of the business. He plans to expand his cheese aging room because he can produce up to 800 pounds of raw milk cheese a day.
"We age them anywhere from six months to a year in a half," said Glustoff.
His business is the first project funded by Energize New York, the finance arm of the non-profit local development corporation, Energy Improvement Corporation.
The group offers long-term loans for projects that reduces energy consumption. Glustoff repays the loan through an annual tax charge on the property.
"It’s about who we are -- balance of nature and what you need in today’s world," he said.
Glustoff said after launching his solar energy earlier this year, his hope is to increase his business so his products will expand worldwide.
"The goal is to grow the business, but in a manner that consistent with our goals as a sustainable provider," he said.