Montana C-PACE Financing
C-PACE financing is now available to Montana businesses!
Across the nation, C-PACE financing (Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancement) is making energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy investments more attainable to commercial building owners. C-PACE is a fit for most industries including farms, commercial office buildings, nonprofit organizations (including places of worship), and multi-tenant buildings. Common investments include solar panels, HVAC systems, lighting, motors, and more.
Last Best PACE brings value to Montana commercial building owners by improving their bottom line. Last Best PACE can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs and payments are repaid through a special property tax assessment with terms up to 20 years. As a result, projects become cash positive from day one. Projects greater than $75,000 may be eligible for C-PACE. If the aggregate potential project is smaller than $75,000, C-PACE may not be the most cost-effective option.
To learn more about C-PACE financing nationwide, go to pacenation.org.
How C-PACE Works
- The local government (city or county) establishes a C-PACE District
- Commercial building owners evaluate and select projects that reduce energy costs
- The building owners secure financing from a bank or other financial institution
- The local government adds the assessment to the tax rolls
- The building owner pays the assessment for up to 20 years and recognizes savings from the improvements
Benefits
- Commercial property owners are able to invest in energy efficiency projects and solar or renewable energy upgrades with no upfront costs
- Utility savings exceed payment obligations, making investments cash positive for commercial property owners and tenants
- Payments are rolled into a special tax assessment made payable twice per year as part of the building owner’s property taxes
- The program is tax neutral with no financial exposure to cities or counties
- Energy improving investments promote local jobs
Pace Nation
If you answer ‘Yes’ to the following questions, your project may be eligible for C-PACE financing...
- You are the legal property owner?
- You are current on mortgage and tax payments and you are not currently insolvent or bankrupt?
- You hold a title to the property to be subject to a C-PACE assessment, and it is not in dispute?
- The proposed improvements are greater than $75,000 (if not, Montana DEQ might have a more cost-effective option for financing. Find out more here)?
- The proposed improvements will improve energy efficiency and will be permanently fixed to the property (ex. solar panels, boilers, insulation)?
- The expected monetary savings from the improvements will likely exceed their costs?
If you are interested in C-PACE financing, review the Program Guidelines here
The Program Guidelines were created through the hardwork and participation of 54 working group members. Special thanks goes out to Northern Plains Resource Council, PACENation, and the C-PACE Alliance for being guiding forces through this process.
