Greener Business Program
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Latest News
City Announces Matching Grant Fund Awards
December 8, 2009 Informational Meeting
Apply for the Program
About the Greener Business Program
Matching Grant Fund
Revolving Loan Fund
Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About the Federal Grant Program
Latest News
 City Still Accepting Applications for the Greener Business Program!
 As of March 12, 2010, over $100,000 in matching grant funds for energy efficient retrofit projects are still available!
Naperville business owners and operators interested in applying for financial assistance for an energy efficient retrofit project to their business still have the opportunity to do so until all remaining funds have been exhausted.
The Greener Business Program has been made possible through Energy Efficiency Block Grant funds received from the Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). For a full list of awards, click here.
City Announces Matching Grant Fund Awards
To date, the city has awarded thirteen Greener Business Program Matching Grants totaling $121,908.25 which has resulted in a total investment of $311,518.90 in energy efficient improvements. Energy efficiency improvements range from lighting retrofit projects to energy efficient windows. The Greener Business Program has been made possible through Energy Efficiency Block Grant funds received from the Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
December 8, 2009 Informational Meeting
The City of Naperville hosted an informational meeting on December 8, 2009. The purposed of the meeting was to provide an overview of the Greener Business Program, conduct a question and answer session and distribute application materials.
A copy of the staff presentation and responses to the questions received during the meeting is available for viewing below.
Apply for the Program
Following are the applications for the Matching Grant Fund and the Revolving Loan Fund.
Matching Grant Fund Application
Revolving Loan Fund Application
A printed copy of the application is available at the Transportation, Engineering and Development Business Group, located on the main floor of the Municipal Center.
Applications will be accepted until available funds are exhausted.
About the Greener Business Program
Thanks to funds from the Department of Energy (DOE) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the City of Naperville has created the Greener Businss Program.
Through the program, the city is offering qualifying owners and operators of Naperville businesses (commercial, office or industrial) an opportunity to apply for financial assistance in completing energy efficient retrofit projects for their businesses. The goal of the program is to help businesses reduce their energy consumption and emissions and increase their overall energy efficiency, thereby reducing the City of Naperville’s environmental footprint.
The Greener Business Program contains two components: A Matching Grant Fund and a Revolving Loan Fund. Qualifying businesses may apply for one or both of these components through the Greener Business Program.
Matching Grant Fund
The City of Naperville has allocated $235,000 towards the Matching Grant Fund. This fund allows qualifying and accepted applicants to receive matching funds at a rate of $.50 for every $1.00 spent towards energy efficiency improvements, up to $10,000 per business.
Quilifying businesses may apply for two types of incentives: A standard incentive and a custom incentive.
- Standard Incentive: Includes energy efficiency improvements or a combination of improvements eligible as noted below:
- Greener Business Program Standard Incentives (Coming Soon)
- Custom Incentive: Includes energy efficiency improvements not listed in the list above if supported by an energy audit and report, as described below.
Funding awards for the Greener Business Program will be determined on a competitive basis; therefore, submittal of an application does not guarantee a business grant monies or award of a loan. The total number of award recipients will be limited to the total funding awarded from the federal grant and dependent upon the amount of funds requested from each applicant.
Eligibility Requirements
Commercial, office and industrial businesses are eligible for the grant program subject to the following requirements:
- The building for which grant funding is sought must have been constructed prior to the year 2000.
- The building for which grand funding is sought must be located within the municipal boundaries of the City of Naperville.
*Taxing bodies and districts are not eligible for grant funding.
Revolving Loan Fund
The City of Naperville has allocated $278,400 towards a Revolving Loan Fund, which may provide a loan of up to a $25,000 for energy efficiency improvements. At least 11 businesses will be able to participate simultaneously.
Through the Revolving Loan Fund, small businesses located in Naperville may be eligible for an interest-free loan to be repaid over 5 years for any project which conserves at least 15 percent of normal energy usage.
The loan will be administered on a rolling basis. In addition, the loan will be released competitively with preference given to projects which cost-effectively reduce the most energy.
All projects awarded funding will be required to undergo a pre-inspection before work begins and a post-inspection to ensure that improvements are in compliance with the Greener Business Program Agreement between the City of Naperville and the recipient.
Loan recipients are required to repay the loan in increments of at least 20 percent of the total loan each year on April 1st for five years.
Eligibility Requirements
Commercial, office and industrial businesses are eligible for the grant program subject to the following requirements:
- The building for which grand funding is sought must be located within the municipal boundaries of the City of Naperville.
- The business must have fewer than 300 employees.
- Successfully pass a credit check.
- Demonstrate energy savings of at least 15 percent.
Project Examples
- Lighting and controls: Workspace, display, security.
- Waste heat recovery: Water heating, space conditioning.
- Weatherization: Insulation, windows.
- Energy Management systems: Controls, sensors, load management.
- Boiler, steam or water heating system upgrades.
- Pump, process or refrigeration system improvements.
- HVAC system upgrades.
*Taxing bodies and districts are not eligible for grant funding.
Application Process
Applications for the Greener Business Program will be accepted through January 28, 2010.
Applicant Selection
All completed applications that qualify under the criteria of the program will be entered into a competitive selection process based on the scope of the project and the impact of the improvements on energy efficiency. Following the application period, city staff will meet to review and competitively score the completed grant applications.
Criteria included in this packet will be used to score the applications. Applicants will be notified of awards by mid-February 2010. Based on the type of funding awarded one or both of the following agreements may be required:
- Greener Business Grant Agreement (Coming Soon)
- Greener Business Revolving Loan Agreement (Coming Soon)
The applicable contract(s) must be signed and submitted to the city by March 1, 2010 and prior to any work beginning.
All work must comply with any applicable City of Naperville Municipal Codes. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure the appropriate permits prior to beginning work. A building permit may be submitted to the city once a recipient has submitted all required agreements and completed their compliance walk-through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I qualify for the grant program?
Commercial, office and industrial businesses are eligible for the grant program subject to the following requirements:
- The building for which grant funding is sought must have been constructed prior to the year 2000.
- The building for which grand funding is sought must be located within the municipal boundaries of the City of Naperville.
Taxing bodies and institutions are not eligible for grant funding.
How many applicants will the city accept for the program?
The city will accept all applications submitted by January 28, 2010. Funding awards for the Greener Business Program will be determined on a competitive basis; therefore, submittal of an application does not guarantee a business grant monies or award of a loan. The total number of award recipients will be limited to the total funding awarded from the federal grant and dependent upon the amount of funds requested from each applicant.
What is the difference between a standard and custom incentive?
The program is made up of two types of incentives, a standard incentive and a custom incentive. Energy efficiency improvements eligible for the standard incentive are those improvements or combination of improvements eligible as noted in Exhibit A of the application packet . Energy efficiency improvements not listed in Exhibit A may be eligible for the custom incentive if supported by an energy audit and report, as described below.
What types of improvements are not eligible for funding?
Work financed through this program excludes:
- Motor Vehicles
- Project design and development, administration, and/or project management costs
- Landscape improvements
- Projects already in progress or completed
- Leased equipment
- Training, workshops, communication and/or awareness programs
- Other improvements that are determined to not increase energy efficiency or reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Is an energy audit required as part of the application submittal process?
- Standard Incentive: An energy audit is not required for applications requesting the Standard Incentive. The city strongly encourages applicants to undergo a self audit. See Exhibit B: Resources of the application for a list of audit resources.
- Custom Incentive: An energy audit and report is required for all applicants seeking Custom Incentive funding. An applicant may hire a professional to conduct an energy audit and provide a report or complete a self-audit at a minimum. See Exhibit B: Resources of the application for a list of audit resources.
How much money can I qualify to receive?
Businesses who qualify for the Matching Grant Program may be eligible for grant of $.50 for every $1.00 spent on eligible energy efficiency improvements, up to a maximum of $10,000. Grants do not require reimbursement.
Businesses who qualify for the Revolving Loan Program may be eligible for up to a $25,000 loan. The opportunity exists to utilize both the grant and loan program in conjunction with one another; however, monies awarded through the revolving loan cannot be applied towards the property owner match in the matching grant program. Awards will be made on a competitive basis; therefore, the City of Naperville cannot guarantee that applicants will be awarded a grant, a loan or both.
Are building permits and inspections required?
A building permit may be required for some improvements in compliance with the Naperville Municipal Code. Contact the Building Department at (630) 420-6070 to determine whether or not your project will require a building permit. At a minimum, all projects awarded funding will be required to participate in an application compliance walk-through (pre-inspection) before work begins and a post-inspection to ensure that improvements are in compliance with the Greener Business Program Agreement between the City of Naperville and the recipient.
May I hire anyone I want to conduct the energy efficiency upgrades?
Grant and Loan recipients are required to solicit and submit three bids for energy efficiency projects. Each employee conducting the energy efficiency upgrades must make prevailing wages as set by the Federal government. City staff will guide prevailing wage compliance. For more information please call (630) 548-1122.
Learn More About the Federal Grant Program
For more information on the grant from the Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), click here.
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