Collaboration with FortisBC Helps Businesses Lower Energy Costs

Cowan’s Office Supplies owner Paul Cowan (right) connected with Nelson & District Chamber’s Business & Climate Advisor Matt Popp (left) this past summer for a customized Simple Shifts Program support stream that included a site assessment and a tailored action plan for his team. A certificate was presented after the local business came on board the program.

Downtown Mainstay Takes Low-Cost Actions to Reduce Operation Costs

It doesn’t need to be difficult to make a difference.

Cowan’s Office Supplies has been a mainstay in Nelson’s downtown for more than five decades — and now, the local business is setting an example for how simple, low-cost actions can make a real impact on energy efficiency. 

Curious how the Simple Shifts Program could help with common energy saving behaviours through practical tools to lower energy use, owner Paul Cowan connected with Nelson & District Chamber’s Business & Climate Advisor Matt Popp this past summer for a customized support stream that included a site assessment and a tailored action plan for his team. 

Cowan’s Office Supplies owner Paul Cowan applies sticker to remind employees to turn out the lights.

“We have been in the same great location for more than 50 years and we are constantly working to be better,” says Cowan. “Small changes can have an immediate impact. The Simple Shifts Program is easy and accessible — it meets you where you are and gives you the tools to actually follow through.”

Cowan’s Office Supplies has been equipping the Greater Nelson region with stationary, art supplies, office equipment and a range of services since Gordon and Jill Cowan purchased JT Mowatt & Sons stationary store in 1972. Moving to its current location at 517 Victoria Street in 1976, the second-generation family business is now run by Paul and his wife Morgan. 

After Popp stopped by for the site assessment, the suggested changes were straightforward and immediately actionable. 

Simple Shifts reminder stickers were placed on all lighting fixtures throughout the store, prompting staff to turn off lights when not in use. An internal email campaign was launched to introduce the program to the whole team, building awareness and encouraging everyone to get involved. 

“These are actions that might seem obvious, but having a site visit and follow-up by Matt helps empower and makes it more actionable,” says Cowan. “Small business owners are busy and the plate is always full, but taking this slight pause to have a closer look at both the building and the operations was worth the time.”

Cowan is also exploring upgrades to the seals around their exterior doors to prevent heat and air conditioning from escaping — a low-cost improvement that can meaningfully reduce heating and cooling costs over time. 

The Simple Shifts Program is a free Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce initiative created in collaboration with FortisBC to help local small businesses lower their energy costs and help reduce associated emissions through easy, low-cost habit changes. 

“Energy efficiency is often about the small choices we make every day, and Cowan’s Office Supplies is a great example of how those choices can create lasting benefits,” says Colin Norman, senior manager for planning and portfolio strategy at FortisBC. “Through the Simple Shifts Program, they’ve taken practical steps that can help lower energy use and manage costs, showing how local businesses can make a positive impact through simple, low-cost actions.”

For completing the program, Cowan’s Office Supplies was awarded a Nelson Sustainable Business Certificate, recognizing their commitment to environmental leadership in the community. 

The Cowan’s story is a reminder that energy efficiency doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right support and a willing team, even simple shifts in daily habits can add up to real savings. 

Learn more about the Simple Shift Program here.