Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBig Sky Energy Revolving Loan FundBig Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund Powering Montana’s Investment in Energy Copyright © Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area. All rights reserved. Questions or comment? Email us at info@nrmrcd.org or call 406-582-5700 Bozeman City Commission Proposal Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area, a tax exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code, proposes to capitalize $100,000 of the Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund using funds obtained through the City of Bozeman’s Development Impacts Fund (Big Box Fund). Funding provided through the City of Bozeman would be used only within the city limits for Bozeman, and available to Small Businesses, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration, for the purpose of financing energy efficiency, en- ergy conservation and green energy production measures. Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area proposes a sub-recipient/type of arrangement for these funds. NRM RC&D would be responsible for all aspects of the loan program. NRMRC&D will provide semi-annual reports to the City on fund status and measureable impacts produced through investment (i.e. number of kilowatts saved or produced, jobs created, dollars leveraged, etc.). Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D is actively pursuing matching funds to leverage the City of Bozeman’s investment in this program. Funds will be leveraged at least 1:1 with out- side sources. It is anticipated that Bozeman’s seed funding will be greatly leveraged with other funds in order to maximize the potential benefit to small businesses within the City. Proposal Specifics • Requested Amount: $100,000. A one time fee of $5,000 would be utilized from the fund to develop and carry out a marketing campaign for the fund and for administrative and accounting costs associated with setting the fund up. • Interest rates and terms for the loans would be set by the loan committee and are intended to encourage investment in energy efficiency, conservation and green energy development. Interest rates will generally be at or below con- ventional market rates. • 50% of the interest collected on the funds will be utilized to market, process, manage and administer the program. The remaining interest will be equally split between a loan-loss reserve account and reinvested to into the RLF. • The City of Bozeman’s contribution to this program will be “fenced” and not utilized outside of the City limits, however it is anticipated that funding from other sources will also be used to develop the Big Sky Energy RLF capacity to serve a larger regional area. This will also greatly enhance the RC&D’s ability to leverage funds for projects within Bozeman. Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund Powering Montana’s Investment in Energy Copyright © Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area. All rights reserved. Questions or comment? Email us at info@nrmrcd.org or call 406-582-5700 Proposal Specifics, Continued • To encourage outside investment and to maximize the benefits of this pro- gram, the Bozeman City component of this fund will not exceed 50% of project costs. • The local energy provider may be asked to evaluate and provide comments and recommendations for projects to be considered by the loan committee prior to making a decision on loan approval. • Privacy and confidentiality of the small business applying for funding will be maintained at all times. Loan committee members and NRM RC&D staff will sign confidentiality statements and safeguard all personal and financial infor- mation of loan applicants. • Applicants must demonstrate that the project has a good chance of success and that they have the ability to repay a loan. Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Funds are meant to encourage investment in energy efficiency and may be used in second position behind a financial institution for collateral. Prudent lending procedures will be followed by the Loan Committee. Example Project The following project, although a public example, illustrates how this fund could be util- ized for energy efficiency. Northwestern Energy is currently working with the City of He- lena on installation of a 150 horsepower rotary screw-type blower with high efficiency components (variable frequency drive, automated dissolved oxygen control, etc.) to re- place their existing 200 horsepower constant speed motor. The total project cost was $104,000. Energy savings are estimated to be between $25,000 and $30,000 per year. Northwestern Energy is contributing $64,000 to the project. If the Big Sky Energy Re- volving Loan Fund were available, we could provide financing for the $40,000 remainder of the project. At 5% interest, amortized over 5 years, the payments would be approxi- mately $8,000 per year. The community (or business) would realize an immediate sav- ings in utility costs that they would put toward business growth. Big Sky Energy RLF Purpose The Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund is being developed as a flexible finance tool for encouraging investment in energy projects. Funds will be targeted for projects that re- sult in significant investment in energy efficiency, conservation and green energy devel- opment. Competitive terms and rates and flexibility of the fund will significantly assist in powering Montana’s investment in energy projects. Why Big Sky Energy RLF Makes Sense for Montana Increasing energy costs and a national economic slow down are negatively impacting Montana businesses’ ability to finance projects. Montana’s small businesses cannot easily shift the higher input expenses driven by escalating energy costs onto their customers. A recent study by the Small Business Administration found that small businesses pay 30% more for electricity than large businesses. In order for Montana businesses to compete in the global market, flexible and innovative tools to reduce energy costs are necessary. The Big Sky Energy RLF will develop stronger, more efficient businesses in Montana and ensure our competiveness in larger markets. It will also be a valuable tool for encourag- ing development of green energy projects within Montana. Copyright © Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area. All rights reserved. Questions or comment? Email us at info@nrmrcd.org or call 406-582-5700 Sponsored by the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D and Economic Development District Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund Powering Montana’s Investment in Energy Capitalization of the Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund The Big Sky Energy RLF is being capitalized through private, corporate and public invest- ment. The capitalization goal for 2009 is to $2,000,000 available for investment in en- ergy projects. The Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D and Economic Development District and partners are aggressively working to grow this fund significantly in the next two years to develop a substantial capacity for powering investment in Montana energy pro- jects. Program Description The Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund is designed for projects that result in significant investment in energy efficiency, conservation and green energy development. Uses of these funds may include: • Capital to replace less efficient equipment with high efficiency technology: lighting, heating and cooling (HVAC) systems, refrigeration, air handling, and pumping systems. • Investment in green energy production. • New systems or retrofitting existing systems necessary for the processing or transportation of fuel utilized in the production of green energy or transmission of the energy produced. Program Objectives The objectives of The Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund are to: • Encourage investment in energy efficiency, conservation and green energy production in Montana • Create and retain employment opportunities and increase stability of Montana businesses through reducing energy costs and developing green energy pro- duction • Enable projects to quickly move forward into the marketplace through flexible financing • Reduce the dependence on energy sources developed outside of Montana and increase Montana’s ability to produce, transport and market energy developed in the state. Copyright © Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area. All rights reserved. Questions or comment? Email us at info@nrmrcd.org or call 406-582-5700 Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund Powering Montana’s Investment in Energy Program Guidelines • Criteria, eligibility and funding amounts available for Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Funds may vary depending on location of the project, utility service area and other factors. • Generally, the following information is required for funding consideration 1. Primary contact information and project location(s) 2. Complete project description 3. Description of primary business enterprise and current business plan 4. Detailed cost estimate, including design, equipment and installation/ construction costs 5. Expected project outcomes with supporting documentation (engineering/feasibility, energy audit analysis, etc.) 6. Expected project life 7. Description of all benefits, including those additional to any energy pro- duced or saved 8. Description of environmental impacts (both positive and negative) as a result of implementing the project 9. Identify all sources of funding to be used to assure the project is imple- mented and reaches its expected life. 10. Describe any monitoring or verification to be used in justifying project outcomes 11. Supporting documentation as appropriate and/or required, which may include financial statements, letters of support and/or commitment, en- gineering documents, etc. • Applications will be accepted at any time as long as funds are available. Com- plete loan applications will be reviewed by the Loan Committee within two weeks of receipt. Copyright © Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area. All rights reserved. Questions or comment? Email us at info@nrmrcd.org or call 406-582-5700 Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund Powering Montana’s Investment in Energy Program Management Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area and Economic Development District will provide oversight, management and administration for the Big Sky Energy RLF. The following services are included to ensure that program funds are successfully, efficiently, legally and conscientiously invested: • Oversight: Program oversight is provided by the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area and Economic Development District Executive Committee. The Ex- ecutive Committee consists of public and private leaders dedicated to ensuring that moneys entrusted with the organization are effectively utilized. • Management: Program management will initially be provided by Don Pisarcik, Economic Development Director for the organization. Don has over 30 years of financial and business experience and provides oversight for the RC&D’s Small Business Development Center and Economic Development programs. Don will serve as the loan officer for the program. • Program Support: Program support will be provided by Josh Kellar, RC&D Co- ordinator and Sarah Hamlen, MSU Extension Area Economic Development Co- ordinator. Josh has been with the RC&D since 2002, has a master’s degree in environmental engineering and has successfully implemented several energy projects (including Montana’s first anaerobic digester project for a dairy). Sarah has an extensive background in small business and marketing and most recently has been educating landowners and public officials on wind energy lease agreements and options. • Loan Committee: The Big Sky Energy RLF Committee will review loan applica- tions and make final determinations on whether or not loans will be approved. The Committee will set terms and rates for the loans. Committee members are selected based on expertise required for the program. The Committee consists of two representatives from financial institutions, an individual with accounting experience, two individuals with significant energy development, efficiency and supply experience, and two at-large representatives coming from a small business or public entity. • Program Administration: Loans will be administered and serviced through the RC&D. Casey Kulbeck, Administrative Assistant for the Economic Development District will provide loan administration services utilizing systems and software in place currently for other RC&D loan programs. Copyright © Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area. All rights reserved. Questions or comment? Email us at info@nrmrcd.org or call 406-582-5700 Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund Powering Montana’s Investment in Energy Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund Powering Montana’s Investment in Energy Copyright © Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area. All rights reserved. Questions or comment? Email us at info@nrmrcd.org or call 406-582-5700 For More Information... Contact the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D and Economic Development District. 502 South 19th, Suite 105 Bozeman, MT 59718 406-582-5700 fax: 406-582-5855 web: www.nrmrcd.org email: info@nrmrcd.org