Green Story

Jim Gamble has a saying: "Grid Free or Die." Dramatic? Perhaps. But it is this sense of urgency that has helped the Concord businessman make the shift from marketing to alternative energy. After working in the communications field for nearly three decades, Gamble opened GreenSource Energy Solutions (GES) Solar Store in Concord this past July. Before, Gamble's customers were mostly big computer companies. Now, he deals with individuals and small businesses hoping to incorporate green power into their shops and homes. "After decades helping big companies get bigger, I started to reevaluate what I was doing and what was really important," says Gamble. "I wanted to contribute something of value back to society."

Inspired by her own work and her familiarity with the state programs and rebates available, Gamble's wife suggested Jim look into renewable energy. After "stumbling" on USA Solar Stores, Jim decided to open a regional store in the already thriving green business corridor of downtown Concord. If the GES logo looks familiar, it should: Dover's SEA Solar Store -- another USA Solar Store regional outlet -- is also a Green Alliance Business Partner. "Jack [Bingham of Dover SEA] and I actually work together quite a bit," says Gamble. "I was really inspired by USA Solar Store’s mission and the cooperative way all the stores work together. It gives us the leverage of a large organization, while still maintaining a local, personal flavor to each of our businesses."

Gamble describes his store in Concord as a place where people can get information and an education about various renewable energy options – particularly solar. "The internet is a great resource," explains Gamble. "But it can also be confusing and impersonal. Having a physical presence downtown, where people can come to have their questions answered and see what this stuff actually looks like takes away the mystery. It gives people a place to start and learn about what they can do today to conserve resources, reduce their environmental impact, and save money."

Gamble opened his business during a time of booming green initiatives in Concord. As a member of the seminal co-op Green Concord, GES works closely with 12 other green businesses within the city. It is a dynamic Gamble hopes to foster anew as a member of the Green Alliance. "Networking is at the heart of building awareness and fostering action. While we set out to get connected in the community, a lot of this just kind of fell in our laps," explains Gamble. "We started off here by joining the Concord Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Association, and of course Green Concord. Then we started hearing about the Green Alliance through Jack Bingham."

Gamble's green practices extend well beyond the shop door. His family recycles and composts extensively, uses energy-efficient lighting, and plans to one day run both home and store exclusively with solar. The store was painted with low and no-VOC paints, and is cleaned with all-natural products. GES also focuses on purchasing organic and fair-trade items from local merchants for business and personal use.

"Our intent in opening the store grew out of a desire to spread awareness that renewable energy should be everyone’s first choice—not an ‘alternative’," says Gamble. "We need to ingrain the mindset that renewable energy, at one level or another, is within the reach of any NH homeowner -- it's not just for the wealthy or weekend tinkerers." Gamble hopes that his proximity to the state legislature will provide an even more direct and effective avenue for helping make green power more accessible and affordable. "Eventually we really want to get in on the advocacy front," says Gamble. "We didn't plan it this way, but after moving to Concord we sort of realized what was possible -- that we could actually influence legislation for the betterment of green power and ultimately the betterment of the state and its citizens."