Greener Business Program
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Latest News
December 8, 2009 Informational Meeting
Apply for the Program
About the Greener Business Program
Revolving Loan Fund
Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About the Federal Grant Program
Latest News
All Greener Business Matching Grant Funds Have Been Awarded, Revolving Loan Funds Still Available!
The City of Naperville is pleased to announce that all funds allocated to the Greener Business Matching Grant Fund have been awarded. To date, the city has awarded approximately $283,000 to 30 businesses, religious institutions and multi-family complexes through the program. The program has spurred over $900,000 worth of investment in energy efficient improvements to existing buildings located in Naperville. While the city will no longer be accepting new applications for the Greener Business Matching Grant Fund, make sure to check back for future updates on this program. In the event that all awarded funds have not been spent by the grant recipients, additional funds may be available in 2012.
The Greener Business Program was created in 2009 using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The goal of the Greener Business Program is to assist qualifying owners and operators of Naperville businesses and multi-family buildings, complete energy efficiency retrofit projects that reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency.
December 8, 2009 Informational Meeting
The City of Naperville hosted an informational meeting on December 8, 2009. The purpose 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
Matching Grant Fund Application (Check back for future updates on the Matching Grant Program. In the event that all awarded funds have not been spent, additional funds may be available in 2012)
Revolving Loan Fund Application
A printed copy of the application is available at the Development Services Counter, located on the first 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 Business Program.
Through the program, the city is offering qualifying owners and operators of Naperville businesses (commercial, office or industrial) and multi-family building owners 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 and multi-family building owners may apply for one or both of these components through the Greener Business Program. At this time, all Matching Grant Funds have been awarded.
Revolving Loan Fund
Through the Revolving Loan Fund, small businesses and multi-family buildings located in Naperville may be eligible for an interest-free loan to be repaid over 5 years.
The loan will be administered on a rolling basis.
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 for five years.
Eligibility Requirements
Commercial, office, industrial businesses and multi-family buildings are eligible for the 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.
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 until all funds have been exhausted.
Applicant Selection
All completed applications that qualify under the criteria of the program will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds available through the Greener Business Program have been exhausted. Applicants will be notified of awards by city staff once a review of a submitted application has been completed. Award recipients will be required to sign and submit a Greener Business Revolving Loan Agreement with the City of Naperville prior to receiving any funds and 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 and multi-family buildings 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?
Funding awards for the Greener Business Program will be determined on a first come first serve 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 definition of multi-family building?
The city defines a multi-family building as a building, structure or portion thereof containing three (3) or more dwelling units where the units are primarily connected vertically.
Can individual tenants or owners of units submit an application for grant funding?
Individual tenants or owners are not eligible to submit for funding. The city requires that the owner of a rental building (or representing management company with owner’s permission) or a homeowner’s association (in cases where units are individually owned) submit, receive and administer the grant funds.
What types of improvements are not eligible for funding?
Work financed through this program excludes:
- Household Appliances including but not limited to refrigerators, dishwashers, etc.
- 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
How much money can I qualify to receive?
Businesses who qualify for the Revolving Loan Program may be eligible for up to a $25,000 loan. 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) 420-6702.
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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