Green Your Business!
Adopting environmentally-friendly and energy efficient business practices provides numerous benefits to business owners looking to control costs, attract customers, and become socially responsible. For businesses interested in making their operations greener – whether you want to increase energy efficiency & lower your utility bills, install an ecoroof, switch to solar power, begin a recycling program and much more – there are resources that can help. Explore the resources below and get started making a difference today!
CHARLOTTE’S ADVANTAGE
Charlotte is positioning itself to become a global model for environmental sustainability! By creating a cutting-edge public-private initiative, Envision Charlotte will help establish Charlotte’s role as an emerging energy capital, enhance our vibrant business hub and attract forward-thinking businesses and talent.
This website was created to help you learn about energy initiatives and resources available in the Charlotte area.
Committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings, the Charlotte USGBC Chapter provides education & training, networking, advocacy and more in an effort to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.
The Center for Sustainability at CPCC has a lot to offer to get you connected to the new Energy Economy.
The Charlotte Green Team is a consortium of organizations with a goal to pave the way for improving the environment through sustainable events and business practices.
Sustain Charlotte is a nonprofit organization helping to advance a region-wide sustainability movement by serving as a catalyst for change.
Since 2006, the Clean Air Works! project has realized significant success in the region’s fight to address air quality challenges by working with its 116 employer Partners.
The Charlotte region is committed to reducing petroleum dependence, improving air quality, and expanding alternative fuel use & technology.
Learn more about the Charlotte region’s energy sector including regional assets and initiatives, workforce development, case studies, and more.
Project for Innovation Energy & Sustainability (PiES) incubator helps green businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs create jobs in the new economy with emphasis on recycling, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable food and more.
TOOLS TO GREEN YOUR BUSINESS
Find out how to start a business recycling program in Mecklenburg County and get started making a difference today.
The Institute periodically offers courses and seminars on “green” topics such as Green Marketing, Green Business Start-up Ideas, Sustainable Building and more.
CPCC’s Center for Sustainability has a lot to offer to get you connected to the new Energy Economy.
Headquartered in Charlotte, MSMF seeks to promote the development and implementation of green technologies and sustainable practices throughout the world.
Committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings, the Charlotte USGBC Chapter provides education & training, networking, advocacy and more in an effort to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.
UNCC’s EAO seeks to link small businesses to academic and community resources to address environmental issues by providing non-regulatory, client-confidential pollution prevention planning to small businesses in the greater Charlotte region. Site will connect you to resources to help with air pollution regulatory compliance; analyzing water sources; conducting research on latest pollution prevention activities; tips to help your business save money on water bills; business waste reduction & recycling; archived newsletters and much more.
The NCSU Solar Center provides energy conservation and cost reduction assessments to small to medium sized manufacturers, workforce training, curriculum, demonstration and testing of new products, technical assistance, financial analysis and industrial recruitment services as well as technical assistance and educational services that significantly benefit firms in North Carolina.
The state’s Energy Office is North Carolina’s lead agency for energy programs and services and is the official source for energy information and assistance for consumers, businesses, government agencies, community colleges and schools and the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
NC DENR provides technical assistance on the elimination, reduction, reuse and recycling of wastes and pollutants.
The U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) is the lead government program working to increase the energy efficiency of U.S. industry. ITP helps research, develop, and deploy innovative technologies that companies can use to improve their energy productivity, reduce carbon emissions, and gain a competitive edge.
FINANCIAL PROGRAMS & INCENTIVES
LOCAL
The Charlotte Brownfield program helps transform brownfields into vibrant working and living space for the City of Charlotte by providing technical and financial support to property owners and developers.
Headquartered in Charlotte, MSMF seeks to promote the development and implementation of green technologies and sustainable practices throughout the world.
Provides low-cost financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on existing commercial and non-profit-owned buildings, multifamily housing, and community facilities.
Use Duke Energy’s Energy Assessments to help you identify ways to improve your facilities energy efficiency and lower your energy costs.
Duke Energy’s Smart $aver® Incentive program rewards your business for installing energy efficient equipment. If you have considered updating an existing facility, or anticipate building another, we can help your organization offset up-front costs, reduce payback time and accelerate energy savings.
Piedmont Natural Gas offers business tools, resources, products and services designed to help manage the energy needs of businesses, including, among others, a Natural Gas Water Heater Rebate Program for businesses to offset some of the incremental cost associated with choosing qualifying high-efficiency gas water heater equipment.
STATE
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
This program awards funds to North Carolina small for-profit and non-profit businesses, and State and local governmental entities, to encourage the development and commercialization of promising green technologies. The Commerce Department’s Office of Science and Technology administers the program.
Businesses involved in recycling in North Carolina have access to a variety of funding opportunities.
NCIF provides debt and equity financing to small and emerging natural resource-based businesses (such as recycling) located in North Carolina.
FEDERAL
Energy tax credits for commercial buildings, vehicles, on-site renewables and more.
Gain access to green contracts, grants, and partnerships with government agencies. The site’s primary feature is a consolidated search capability that allows businesses to filter procurement opportunities using keywords important to them.
Explore available state and federal incentives for plug-in electric vehicles.
Find money to pay for energy efficient upgrades to your facilities, environment-related projects and improvements, and financial incentives that can save you money such as tax credits, tax deductions, sales tax exemptions, property tax exemptions and rebates.
OTHER FINANCIAL PROGRAMS
Learn about other business programs & incentives.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
This SBA guide provides important information on implementing an environmental strategy for your business, including steps to becoming energy efficient, compliant with environmental regulations, and more.
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