Prairieland Wind and Solar said it can empower you to laugh at your utility bills.

The new Dalton City-based company installs wind turbine and solar panel energy systems so homeowners can generate their own electricity rather than paying the utility company to deliver it.

How close to energy independence you get depends on your location and how much you want to spend, but company owner Dan Cooley said as a supplement to standard electrical and heating systems, solar and wind can cut your bills dramatically.

Up front costs are expensive. Systems start at about $20,000, but Cooley said there are substantial grants and rebates from state and federal government, which help ease the pain.

"The average power bill has increased 6 percent a year for the last 25 years, and to me that is a 6 percent return on your investment no matter how you look at it," said Cooley, 59. "You are going to send the money to somebody, so it's either Ameren or it's the bank to pay for your new energy system."

Cooley has wind and solar systems operating at his home which customers can view by appointment. Get more information from his Web site, prairielandwind andsolar.com or call 864-2525.

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The move and name change are complete.

Decatur Dental Care, formerly North Street Dental Care, is providing its dental services at its new location at 3737 East U.S. 36, in the strip mall that once housed Eagle Foods.

The founder and owner of the practice, Dr. Kelly Clark, said the business recently added another doctor and space issues were becoming critical. The 25-year-old name was changed because it had reflected the office's location on North Street.

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Diners at Pastabilities Italian Grill may donate 20 percent of their bill to Macon County 4-H between 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. All you need to do is take a special flyer available at the University of Illinois Extension office at 2535 Millikin Parkway in Decatur or print one out at web.extension.uiuc.edu/ macon.

On Biz, published Fridays in the Herald & Review, highlights business developments. Contact Tony Reid at treid@herald-review.com or 421-7977 or Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@herald-review.com or 421-7972. Theresa Churchill contributed to this column.