Mount Vernon, WA — The Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) is proud to announce it has been awarded the Powerful Partnerships Grant by Puget Sound Energy (PSE), recognizing CIE’s work to advance equity and economic opportunity for underserved entrepreneurs in the North Cascades region.
“This grant allows us to go beyond entrepreneurship and become a stronger bridge to tools that build financial resilience and long-term sustainability,” said Victor Ponce, Program Manager for CIE. “Clean and affordable energy isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for small businesses and working families to thrive. We’re proud to partner with PSE to ensure our communities aren’t left behind.”
This strategic collaboration will expand CIE’s efforts to connect immigrant, BIPOC, and rural entrepreneurs to vital PSE programs—including utility bill assistance, energy efficiency rebates, and renewable energy options—helping small businesses reduce costs and increase sustainability.
CIE’s team of advisors will work directly with entrepreneurs to identify which PSE resources can best support their business operations, especially during financially challenging times. In addition, CIE will promote energy equity by educating community members about PSE’s Bill Discount Rate, HELP program, and other energy-saving services through bilingual outreach, workshops, and trusted local partnerships.
“PSE is proud to partner with the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) for this year’s Powerful Partnerships Grant in our northern region. As a nonprofit that supports aspiring entrepreneurs—with a focus on those from diverse backgrounds and with limited English proficiency—CIE is a natural fit. We look forward to partnering together to assist our small business customers in incorporating the benefits of energy-related sustainability into their business plans from the ground up. ¡Tenemos algunas oportunidades emocionantes para todos nuestros clientes que estamos ansiosos por compartir, así que estad atentos!”
– Hunter Hassiq, Outreach Manager, Puget Sound Energy
As part of CIE’s ongoing work to foster economic inclusion in Northwest Washington, this week also marks the launch of a new Start Simple entrepreneurship course in collaboration with the Farmworker Center of Catholic Community Services in Mount Vernon. This version of the course is designed for individuals with limited literacy skills, making the path to entrepreneurship more accessible and inclusive than ever before. The program is offered at no charge to participants.
This grant reinforces CIE’s role as a connector between energy resources and community resilience—and it comes at a critical time when affordability, sustainability, and opportunity must go hand in hand.
