Small Business Energy Incentive Program

The Small Business Energy Incentive Program is a new grant initiative launched by the City of Charlottesville to promote energy efficiency among local small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The program represents a targeted effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community by addressing energy consumption in the non-residential sector, which accounts for approximately 30% of the city's overall emissions. With this initiative, the city aims to empower local entities that often face financial and technical barriers to implementing energy-saving upgrades, thereby contributing to the broader goals outlined in Charlottesville’s Climate Action Plan and aligning with the Climate Action and Partnerships objectives in the City Council’s 2023 Strategic Plan Framework. Administered by the City of Charlottesville, the grant will provide up to $125,000 in total funding for a qualified nonprofit organization to develop and operate the incentive program. This organization will be responsible for offering energy audits, technical assistance, and limited financial incentives to small businesses located within Charlottesville. The grant is specifically open to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that are based in the City of Charlottesville. Applicants must have proven experience in non-residential energy efficiency work, including both auditing and implementing efficiency improvements. Familiarity with utility-based energy incentive programs and the local Energy Resource Hub is considered advantageous. The application window for this opportunity will open on January 5, 2026, and close on February 6, 2026. All applicants must submit their proposals during this period, and submissions outside of this timeframe will not be considered. Proposals should clearly demonstrate the applicant's capacity to manage the program, deliver services to small businesses, and leverage other available incentives to maximize impact. There is no mention of a pre-application process such as a Letter of Intent or concept paper, indicating a direct submission model. The selected nonprofit partner will be expected to provide comprehensive support to Charlottesville-based small businesses and nonprofits, defined under the Code of Virginia as organizations headquartered in the city and operating no more than three physical locations. All participants receiving support from the program must be located within the city’s geographic limits. The city emphasizes that this grant is intended to support entities that may lack the resources to independently pursue energy efficiency projects, thus enhancing both environmental outcomes and operational cost savings. Evaluation criteria likely include the applicant’s technical capabilities, past performance in similar projects, ability to provide financial and technical support to eligible businesses, and understanding of existing incentive landscapes. While the specific review process and award timeline are not detailed, inquiries about the grant may be directed to Emily Irvine at [email protected]. This program represents a strategic investment in community-scale climate action and seeks to partner with a local nonprofit capable of scaling energy efficiency services to a wide range of small commercial entities.