Business owners taking advantage of PACE financing are reporting millions in savings after energy upgrades, according to Lean & Green Michigan.
That same program is now available throughout Berrien County thanks to Cornerstone Alliance and the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. The board voted to bring the Property Assessed Clean Energy financing program to the county in August.
The program offers fixed-rate financing for a maximum of 25 years to help specific property owners pay for energy-saving upgrades to HVAC, lighting and windows. The program does not use tax dollars or credit, but instead uses the energy savings when projects are finished to pay off the loan.
Lean & Green Michigan, which administers the program, said the Howell Health Hub in Howell, Michigan, is one example. The medical office building financed $2.6 million in upgrades and already has saved $7.6 million. The 108,231-square-foot building now generates 100% of its own energy.
Cornerstone is hosting an introduction to the program from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Union + Social in St. Joseph. Senior Counsel Jon Wylie of Lean & Green Michigan will share information about the 93 projects the organization has helped facilitate.
Other speakers will include:
- Greg Taylor, senior development specialist, CopperRock Construction
- Dan Fette, director of the community development department for Berrien County
- Adam Schaller, owner, Lakeshore Die Cast & Tigmaster
Register and buy tickets for the program here. Banks also are encouraged to attend.
