We’ll Keep the Lights On

Six weeks and more than one million families – that’s the amount of time and people affected when hurricanes hit a state, wiping out its power. But, David Welch, new co-owner of the power generator company Megawattage, and his team are here to help.

During disasters, Welch’s team steps in to supply generator rentals during disasters. Recently, when Louisiana needed help after Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 hurricane destroyed thousands of residents’ homes, Megawattage was there.

Welch, who obtained $9 million in funding with help from the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and his lead consultant Angel Rentas, said his team was first on site to repair, service and maintain generators throughout.

To secure funding, he turned to Rentas, a certified business consultant who specializes in financing and loan development with the Florida SBDC at FAU. Rentas assisted Welch in the application of the Small Business Administration loans and with contracts to acquire the business.

“Applying for loans isn't easy, many times banks will throw the paperwork at you, leaving you to figure out the process on your own. But with Angel the process was seamless,” Welch said. “He really was our angel.”

As soon as the deals were complete, Welch wasted no time servicing Louisiana. Having a contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), allow him to be updated when hurricanes hit, and cities need help.

For more than two weeks Welch’s team provided generators of all sizes to families and businesses, repairing broken ones, and making sure the state’s power remained working.

“As soon as we saw the aftermath from Ida, I knew the call from FEMA would be next, and that we would be ready to act, helping restore countless lives in the process,” Welch said.

Megawattage, one of the largest power generator companies in South Florida, was up for sale, weeks before Ida hit. But Welch said he felt confident taking over the business in such a dire time.

“I had no idea the kind of impact Ida would have but I’ve seen what hurricanes can do, so taking over the business when I did couldn’t have been at a more important time,” Welch said.

Previously, Welch was a subcontractor for the business helping the former owners find skilled workers to operate and install generators wherever needed. He’d been working with Megawattage for four-and-a-half-years and during that time he built a solid relationship with the team.

That relationship, combined with his prior knowledge of running other small businesses, made the decision to purchase Megawattage an easy one, he said.

“The love and passion to help people during disasters is what really prompted myself and my brother Dana Welch to purchase the business when it was up for sale,” Welch said. “With the different number of laborers we have, from forklift operators to maintenance technician, our goal is cover as many areas affected by hurricanes as possible.”

Now that his team has returned and Louisiana is recovering, Welch said his next steps are to focus on expanding his employees and his reach.

“Yes, we’re one of the biggest companies in South Florida with technicians across the U.S., and in Puerto Rico but I’d like us to be the biggest nationwide,” Welch said. “Expanding our company means we restore more families and businesses after a hurricane strikes.”