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Business Sustainability

Want to Green Your Business?

DuPage County is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and so we encourage businesses to pursue sustainability certifications, awards, and other programs. This information is provided as a service to businesses and is updated intermittently or when changes are brought to our attention. Inclusion on this page is not an endorsement of any of these companies/certifications, nor has the County purposely excluded any parties that provide sustainability programs and/or certifications.

Sustainable DuPage

Cool DuPage in partnership with Choose DuPage created Sustainable DuPage in 2021 starting with a series of webinars that can be seen below. The program then expanded in 2023 with Choose DuPage partnering with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) to develop a Green Business Assessment. 

Green Business Assessment

The Green Business Assessment was created in a partnership between Choose DuPage and SEDAC to offer small to medium businesses a free assessment of their site that starts with a site visit then builds into a Green Action Plan, a custom report outlining where improvements can be made, and a platform to record the progress all for free. See this link for how to apply.

PACE - Property Assessed Clean Energy

Property Assessed Clean Energy financing is an innovative tool that provides low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation projects in commercial buildings. Commercial property owners can obtain 100 percent upfront financing from private capital providers for up to 30 years for improvements such as HVAC, lighting and solar photovoltaic systems in both existing building and new construction projects. Funding is secured by a special assessment lien on the property and is repaid as a line item on the property tax bill. Read a summary of C-PACE, or learn about the first C-PACE financing project in DuPage County. 

Key Benefits:

  • No money out of pocket:  100 percent financing including hard and soft costs.
  • Long-term, fixed interest rate financing (up to 30 years) resulting in lower annual payments.
  • In many cases, cash flow positive within the first year.
  • Property owner may pass through C-PACE Assessment to tenants (if allowed by lease)
  • Potential for off-balance sheet treatment per an accountant.
  • Reduces capital expenditure budget - upgrades paid through operational savings.
  • Eligible measures cover broad capital and facility improvement needs.
  • Extends building lifespan while improving comfort.
  • C-PACE assessment transfers upon sale to the next property owner ("runs with the land")

To view a video about C-PACE visit Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce's session at 39.58 minutes

Helpful Resources:

News Releases:

Case Studies

Additional Incentives and Offerings

DuPage County's C-PACE program is being administered by the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority NFP (IECA), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. Visit the IECA website for more information about C-PACE or to submit a pre-application. For a wide range of case studies and information on PACE programs throughout the U.S., visit PACENation.

Webinars

  • Sustainable DuPage Program Series: A Cool DuPage and Choose DuPage Lunch 'N' Learn collaboration with recordings available below.
    • Sustainability in Commercial Construction: In this webinar learn best practices for reducing your environmental footprint in commercial construction and renovation projects.
    • Recognition In Sustainability: In this webinar learn how businesses can achieve recognition and accolades for sustainable practices. Also discussed are the opportunities that exist and the impact it can have on your business. 
    • Incentives & Resources For Sustainable Development: In this webinar, learn about the incentives and resources available for energy efficiency, HVAC improvements, renewable energy, and other sustainable development projects.
  • The Business of Going Green: A Webinar - DuPage County, IL: In this webinar SEDAC explains the Green Business Assessment program that is being done in partnership with Choose DuPage. This is a program offered to DuPage County businesses at no cost.

Available Certifications/Awards

Product Certifications

Resources

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