Increase Property Values With Affordable Financing For Efficiency Improvements
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average commercial building wastes 30% of the energy it consumes. With energy costs on the rise — and an increasing focus on sustainability — conserving energy and reducing operating expenses continues to be a priority for commercial building owners in Montana.
However, longstanding barriers tend to impede investment in energy efficiency and conservation building improvements. Now, with the help of Last Best PACE, low-cost, long-term financing is available for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, and water conservation upgrades in participating communities!
To take advantage of C-PACE property owners develop energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy projects with contractors of their choice. Property owners then apply to Last Best PACE to qualify their project for financing according to the program requirements. Next, the property owners arrange financing with a qualified lender, and if applicable, acquire Mortgage Lender Consent. If the project is approved, the Last Best PACE, property owner, and lender enter into a financing agreement that governs the terms of the Last Best PACE tax assessment.
Financing provides:
Low-cost, upfront financing that covers up to 100% of project costs
Long repayment periods (terms can be 20+ years)
Reduced energy consumption and operating expenses
Upgraded, more efficient and modern systems
Immediate return on investment/positive cash flow
Increased net operating income and property value
Shared cost and energy savings with building tenants (if applicable)
Projects Eligible For Financing
Last Best PACE is available to eligible commercial and industrial property owners in participating communities. All building owners or eligible properties located within a District may participate in financing. "Eligible properties" include commercial, industrial, non-profit, mixed-use, agricultural, and multi-family (residential properties with five or more dwelling units). Government and residential property with fewer than three dwelling units are not eligible properties.
The program supports the redevelopment of existing buildings, as well as new construction projects. Please note that new construction projects require additional verification and documentation of energy savings above a baseline, as detailed in the Program Guidelines.
Energy Conservation Projects
Financing may be used to pay for Energy Conservation Projects — the installation or modification of an Energy Conservation Measure or the acquisition, installation, or improvement of a Renewable Energy System.
An Energy Conservation Measure is a permanent cost-effective improvement fixed to real property, including new construction, and intended to decrease energy or water consumption and demand, including a product, device, or interacting group of products or devices on the customer’s side of the meter that use energy technology to generate electricity, provide thermal energy, or regulate temperature.
A Renewable Energy System is a fixture, product, device, or interacting group of fixtures, products, or devices on the customer's side of the meter that uses one or more forms of renewable energy to generate electricity or to reduce the used of nonrenewable energy. The term includes a biomass stove but does not include an incinerator or a digester.
Products or devices that are not permanently fixed to real property are not eligible for financing.
Bozeman 
