RPU is continuing its effort to reach out to small business customers in Rochester. Limited funding is still available to help offset the impact of the pandemic. A utility bill credit of 25% of the average annual bill may be possible before October 15th.
The response for financial support from small businesses has grown to nearly $350,000 in utility bill credits. Small business customers are encouraged to get their applications in as soon as possible to take advantage of this limited help.
Small businesses that fall under the definition of a targeted business owned by women, minority or veterans are highly encouraged to get their applications in soon.
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), along with partners Rochester Parks & Recreation, Sargent’s Gardens, Maier Tree & Lawn, and Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center will hold a free tree giveaway on Thursday, May 21 from 11am-2pm at Hy-Vee on 37th Street NW.
RPU’s Annual Arbor Day Celebration, scheduled for the end of April, was cancelled due to safety concerns for RPU employees, event partners and sponsors, and the public. In preparation for the event, 1,700 Serviceberry trees were already on order and will require planting in the near future. RPU, along with partners Rochester Parks & Recreation, Sargent’s Gardens, Maier Tree & Lawn, and Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center are planning to give away all 1,700 Serviceberry trees at a drive through giveaway event.
The Rochester community is invited to come to the drive through tree giveaway to get a free tree to plant, while supplies last. The Serviceberry trees are small and will fit through a car window. One tree will be given away per vehicle.
RPU reminds customers to contact Gopher State One Call to do underground locates before starting any digging in their yard or property. Gopher State One Call can be contacted by visiting gopherstateonecall.org or by calling 811.
For more information regarding the tree giveaway and safe digging practices, visit www.rpu.org.
About Rochester Public Utilities
As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 50,000 customers. Water customers number more than 40,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.
Olmsted County Human Services has additional cash, food, health, emergency grants available. A second round of funds have been granted to assist with emergency needs. Note: Even if you’ve utilized an emergency grant in the past 12 months, you may qualify for emergency funding again prior to the 12 month anniversary of the previous grant. Call: 507.328.6500
Resources available to Commercial customers
New relief for small businesses NOW AVAILABLE!
The PPE deadline to apply for the loan has been extended to August 8, 2020.
Here are links to the city of Rochester, Olmsted County Public Health, Minnesota Public Health, Mayo Clinic, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web pages regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
All media inquiries go through Jenna Bowman at the City Clerk’s office.
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) customers will soon be able to review water and electric usage, enroll in paperless billing, autopay, one-time payments, options available for fast, easy, and secure payments and more with the new RPU Connect mobile application and customer website.
RPU Connect is a free mobile application that provides secure access
to accounts, payment options, and tracks your usage. These same features will
also be available through an online customer portal designed for desktop
computers.
In addition to the features mentioned above, customers also have the ability
to select “notification” preferences to receive proactive billing alerts, via
email, text or phone. As well as securely connecting with our Customer
Relations Team via email, using the “connect me” feature of RPU Connect.
The mobile app will be available on both iOS and Android platforms.
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) customers will soon be able to review water and electric usage, enroll in paperless billing, autopay, one-time payment options available for pay their monthly bill and more with the new RPU Connect mobile application and customer website.
RPU Connect is a free mobile application that
provides secure access to accounts, payment options and power usage tracking.
The same services will also be available through an online customer portal
designed for desktop computers.
In addition to the features mentioned above,
customers also have the ability to select “notification” preferences to receive
alerts for outages and bill due reminders. Through the “connect me” feature of
RPU Connect, customers can interact with customer support without ever having
to dial in.
The mobile app will be available on both iOS
and Android platforms.
