Businesses press county on energy efficiency program

The Flathead County Commissioners reiterated final week that they like a “wait and see” strategy to implementing an vitality efficiency-focused financing program after receiving a letter from native companies urging them to rethink.

Among the many 27 companies signing the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s petition had been Utilized Supplies, Glacier Financial institution, Immanuel Lutheran Communities, Logan Well being, Flathead Electrical Cooperative and the Northwest Montana Affiliation of Realtors. The group launched the lobbying effort after commissioners acknowledged that they’d heard nothing from native companies about their need to have the idea, generally known as C-PACE, applied within the county.

Signed into legislation by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte in 2021, this system is designed to finance energy-saving capital investments on business properties.

By means of C-PACE property house owners are matched with personal lenders, who’re reimbursed utilizing funds saved by vitality effectivity enhancements over the lifetime of the upgrades.

County spokesperson Steven White stated that lobbying from the chamber hasn’t modified the commissioners’ minds, with White describing the letter-writing marketing campaign by enterprise representatives as “complaining.”

Based on White, if enterprise house owners contact Commissioner Brad Abell straight with particular capital funding proposals and their perceived advantages, he “could pay attention.”

Commissioners Pam Holmquist and Randy Brodehl nonetheless need to see this system rolled out on the municipal degree earlier than taking motion, White stated.

Kalispell Metropolis Council has proven curiosity in shifting ahead and handed a decision of intent for implementing this system at its Dec. 19 assembly.

Companies outdoors metropolis limits, although, must depend on the county to approve this system to ensure that them to take part.

Phil Aitkin, proprietor of Hooper’s Backyard Heart, is fascinated about C-PACE eligible upgrades, however his enterprise is positioned east of Kalispell and within the county. Aitkin desires to put in a local weather management system within the backyard heart’s 40,000-square-foot retail greenhouse, permitting it to host occasions within the low season. His concepts embody potential winter farmers’ markets, an idea that might additionally profit native distributors. The area presently sits empty for a lot of the yr.

Aitkin stated the financing program would assist him make the adjustments.

“[The upgrades] can be rather a lot simpler to perform with this program in place,” he stated.

Chamber President Lorraine Clarno additionally spoke publicly on the fee’s Dec. 20 assembly,

telling commissioners that she had gathered the supporting signatures in solely 48 hours. She stated in a latest interview that the Flathead enterprise neighborhood is receptive to C-PACE implementation.

On the assembly Clarno reminded the commissioners what number of enterprise house owners stand to profit from having C-PACE financing alternatives.

“Know that after we ship a letter, we’re representing 700 companies,” Clarno stated.

In a separate interview, Clarno stated she has obtained no response from the board since. She described their silence as “irritating.”

“This places Flathead companies at an obstacle with different counties and states,” Clarno stated.

Based on Adam Gill, the state’s C-PACE program administrator, not less than eight Montana counties have already signed on, along with the 38 states nationwide with comparable packages.

Gill first approached the commissioners in the summertime and adopted up in October when he obtained phrase that there was native curiosity in C-PACE.

Clarno stated the commissioners had been conscious of this system as early as March.

Gill can perceive hesitance by the commissioners, however stated that he has solutions for any questions they might have about this system.

When requested for the commissioner’s particular objections, White stated that they had been attempting to guard the county and taxpayers.

As a result of C-PACE is structured with personal funds, no public legal responsibility or taxes are created, a degree that Gill stresses within the data classes he tailors for public officers. Gill estimated that it takes between one and three hours yearly to arrange a C-PACE district, and there’s no different price to native governments.

Based on White, commissioners haven’t reached out to Gill for any extra data.

Gill stated he’s all the time able to work with the county ought to the commissioners change their minds.

Clarno thinks commissioners could pay a political value in the event that they proceed to disregard enterprise pursuits.

“I feel they’re selecting to not pay attention, and if that continues they might get on the improper aspect of the enterprise neighborhood,” Clarno stated.

Reporter Adrian Knowler might be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.