Green Landscaper Looking For Support On $150,000 Grant

Zack Kline, founder of A.I.R. Lawn Care. (file photo)A local entrepreneur with a green landscaping company is looking for support in a program that could net his business $150,000 in funding.

Zack Kline launched his Rockville-based A.I.R. Lawn Care company last year as a member of Bethesda Green’s Green Business Incubator. Kline graduated from the incubator earlier this year while his “eco-friendly landscaping company” has continued to grow.

He’s looking to be one of 20 small business owners selected by Chase in its Mission Main Street program. The bank will provide those businesses each with a $150,000 grant, trip to Google for a small business marketing workshop and free Google Chromebook laptop.

Kline needs a few more Facebook votes to put him over the 250 mark, which would make him eligible for the grant.

It wouldn’t be his first grant — Kline won a $5,000 prize in a college startup competition. His company is inspired by hot, humid summers toting around gas-powered lawn equipment.

He said he came up with the idea while working for a landscaping company on a large lot in Darnestown during a 95-degree Code Red air quality day. His job was to trim and edge the perimeter of the whole property using a gas-powered weedeater.

A.I.R. uses a truck with a solar panel to help power up equipment, including electric blowers, mowers and trimmers with chargeable batteries.

Since officially launching in June 2013, the company has grown to more than 100 clients, including commercial accounts such as the Kentlands community in Gaithersburg.

Kline said he’s hoping to use the $150,000 to hire more employees, buy more equipment and vehicles and find some property to use as a headquarters.

The voting deadline is Oct. 17.

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