Montana C-PACE Financing
C-PACE financing is now available to Montana businesses!
Across the nation, C-PACE (Commercial Property-Assessed Capital Enhancements) financing is making energy efficiency upgrades, water conservation projects, 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, Montana's C-PACE program, 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 of 20+ years. As a result, projects can generate neutral, or even positive cash flow upon installation. Projects greater than $100,000 may be eligible for C-PACE. If the aggregate potential project is smaller than $100,000, C-PACE may not be the most cost-effective option. Links to other possible resources can be found at the bottom of this page.
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 terms of 20+ years and recognizes savings from the improvements
Benefits
- Commercial property owners are able to invest in energy efficiency projects, water conservation 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 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 efficiency investments promote local jobs
Pace Nation
If you answer “yes” to the following questions, your project may be eligible for C-PACE financing...
- Are you the legal property owner?
- Are you current on your mortgage and tax payments? You are not insolvent or bankrupt?
- Do you hold a title to the property subject to a C-PACE assessment? Is said property not in dispute?
- Do the proposed improvements cost more than $100,000?
- Will the proposed improvements boost energy efficiency? Would they be permanently affixed to the property (ex. solar panels, boilers, insulation)?
- Will the anticipated monetary savings from the improvements likely exceed their costs?
If you answered “yes” to the above questions, please reach out to the the Last Best PACE program to learn more about C-PACE.
If your project is not eligible for C-PACE financing, here are some other resources that may be helpful:
- Montana Department of Environmental Quality Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program
- Montana Department of Environmental Quality Financial and Incentive Programs
- Montana Department of Environmental Quality Federal Tax Credits
- Montana Renewable Energy Association Financing and Incentives
If you are interested in C-PACE financing, review the Program Guidelines.
The Program Guidelines were created through the hard work 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.
