These workshops are sponsored by the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program, a division of the High Technology Development Corporation, and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

·The Hilo workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 23 at the Hawai'i Innovation Center at Hilo, 117 Keawe Street

·The Kona workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 24 at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.

USDA Rural Development State Director Lorraine P. Shin said that USDA Rural Development will be providing information on possible sources of loans and grants for energy efficiency projects.

"Our program can provide loan and grant monies to agricultural producers or rural small businesses that have demonstrated financial need. Grant funds can be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs, not to exceed $250,000," Shin said. "Additionally, the program provides loan guarantees up to $10 million to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of eligible projects."

Workshop participants will learn how to improve their company's bottom line while saving energy by using energy-efficient air conditioning, refrigeration, lighting, windows and equipment.

Sessions include:

i Staying cool while cutting air conditioning costs.

i Energy-efficient refrigeration.

i LEDs: Lighting the way to the future.

i Outdoor lighting for 1/5 the energy cost.

i Invisible window tints and other "windows to wealth."

i Are we ready for photovoltaic?

i Lease-financing options that make "cents."