A new revolving loan fund is making low-interest loans available to small businesses for energy-efficiency improvements and renewable-energy projects in their New Hampshire buildings.
The Enterprise Energy Fund is a low-interest loan and grant program to help finance energy improvements in buildings owned or leased by businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. The
Small businesses, microenterprises, nonprofits, child care providers, and owners of two- to four-unit apartment buildings are eligible to apply to the
The Enterprise Energy Fund is a low-interest loan and grant program to help finance energy improvements in buildings owned or leased by businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. The
NH Community Loan Fund will lend $1 million to small commercial businesses and nonprofits. The NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) will lend $2.5 million for larger projects.
The $3.5-million fund was created by an award by the Office of Energy and Planning’s State Energy Program, from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The majority of the funds will be loaned to businesses and nonprofits to help them reduce their energy costs and consumption. The Community Loan Fund will administer the loans for projects under $100,000.
Loans to commercial businesses will range from $10,000 to $500,000, with terms from three to 10 years, and interest rates from 2.75% to 4%.
A small portion of the fund will pay for energy audits, provide down payments to businesses and to nonprofits that provide essential services and have been hardest hit by the recession, leverage significant private sector funds, and encourage investments in renewable energy.
All enterprises, regardless of size, are required to submit an
Initial Inquiry form on CDFA’s online grants management system. Preliminary applications submitted through April 30, 2010 will be the first group to be reviewed. Subsequent applications will be grouped and reviewed monthly thereafter until all funds are committed. Prior to accessing the Webgrants system, you will need a User ID and Password. If you have not yet registered to receive a User ID and Password, please register here. For more information, please see the Enterprise Energy Fund
Information workshops on the new fund are scheduled for April 20 in Concord, April 28 in Littleton and May 4 in Claremont. Please register in advance.
fact sheet and Q and A on the Community Loan Fund’s Web site.
Small businesses:
Rick Minard, Vice President for Policy and Program. Nonprofits and child care:
Julie McConnell, Director, Child Care and Community Facilities Lending.
Nonprofit housing:
Mike LaFontaine, Director, Community Housing.
Questions? Call your contact at the Community Loan Fund, (800) 432-4110.