Small Business Energy Loan Program

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The Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF) provides debt and equity financing for environmental and natural resource-based small businesses. The Fund’s goal is to foster sustainable economic development and create quality employment in rural communities. NCIF is a certified a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and is an affiliated with The Conservation Fund a national nonprofit organization with a unique dual mission of land & water conservation and economic development.

NCIF’s Small Business Energy Loan Program provides affordable, flexible business loans to qualified West Virginia-based businesses in the areas of green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Free energy audits are available to help companies identify and quantify potential energy efficiency savings. See list of energy audit providers below.

Which projects qualify? How can funds be used?

• New construction of commercial properties that are built to an Energy Star or LEED standard. Energy efficiency retrofits for commercial properties that achieve at least a 25% reduction in energy consumption.
• Purchase of energy efficient production equipment for manufacturers that achieve at least a 25% reduction in energy consumption.
• Equipment upgrades or electricity energy savings improvements to plant/office facilities in order to maximize energy efficiency, conserve energy and reduce waste, and/or improve productivity. (Minimum of a 25% reduction in energy consumption.)
• Renewable energy projects, such as, geothermal and solar PV installations, solar daylighting systems, solar water-heating and space-heating systems, small wind and hydro installations.

Energy Audit Service Providers:

WV Division of Energy (WVDOE) — provides lighting audits and can provide technical assistance in the utilization of the U.S. EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager Program. Portfolio Manager is an interactive energy benchmarking management tool that allows businesses to track and assess energy and water consumption. Contact: Bill Willis, Program Coordinator, WVDOE, at (304) 558-2234.

Industries of the Future-WV — provides industrial assessments to energy intensive businesses. These assessments examine energy costs and opportunities in lighting, motors, energy consumption, boilers, steam systems and other process areas. Contact: Carl Irwin, IOF-WV coordinator, (304) 293-2867 ext. 5403.

WV Department of Environmental Protection — provides education, tools and resources in the area of energy conservation; water conservation; waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and pollution prevention. WVDEP also provides access to tools and resources for energy, water, and waste assessments to help businesses save money and lessen their impact on the environment. Contact: Greg Adolfson, Sustainability Officer, at (304) 926-0499 ext. 1332.

WV Manufacturing Extension Partnership — provides energy assessments which are coupled with an analysis of the process value stream (process flow). This technique identifies improvements in energy use and process productivity that have a direct impact on energy use. Contact: Jerry Biser, VP Industrial Consulting, at (304) 290-8425.