Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program
In three years of the program over 115 downtown businesses have received energy grants for free energy studies, the first step in reducing annual energy costs!
In support of the City's Green Energy Challenge and the DDA's goal to encourage a more sustainable downtown, the DDA created the Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program in 2008. The program, now entering its fourth year of operation, currently has 127 businesses in the DDA district participating and in total has invested $288,000 for energy audits and $184,000 in rebates to local businesses/building owners.
Grant Elements:
Phase I provides approved applicants with free energy audits for buildings or businesses within the DDA District. The audits, conducted by a recommended contractor, reveal opportunities for energy savings, including door and window leaks, areas of poor insulation, and outdated lighting or heating systems and controls. The full audit report provides grant recipients with a tailored list of recommended energy-saving measures and renewable energy opportunities as well as estimated installation costs, energy savings and payback periods for each measure. Estimated cost for this phase is $2,000 - $5,000, and is fully paid for by the DDA.
There are two goals for the energy audits. The first is to educate the building owner about their building, how energy is used and how much it is costing them each year for heating, lighting, air conditioning, computers, etc. The second goal is to provide them with a decision making tool on energy-saving measures that could be implemented to reduce their energy costs.
A qualified energy audit must be completed before eligibility for Phase II.
Phase II of the DDA program provides rebates for the installation of improvements identified in the energy audit. These improvements may include more efficient lighting, insulation and air-sealing, new heating and cooling equipment, energy-efficient windows, etc. In addition, the DDA energy program provides assistance to applicants to take advantage of the utility rebates available from DTE Energy for energy improvements.
As with any grant program, DDA funds are capped and there is no guarantee of funding.
Program Impacts to Date:
Over the programs three years, 130 downtown businesses were approved to receive a free energy audit.
At the start of 2012, the program has completed 118 energy audits that have identified over $4.6 million worth of energy improvements that can save over $957,000/yr in energy costs for downtown businesses. DDA rebates have helped finance $705,000 worth of energy improvements at 30 businesses that will now save $92,800/yr in energy costs and are helping move the community closer to meeting its sustainability goals.
Praise from Grant Recipients:
Curtis Commercial L.L.C. and The Neutral Zone Teen Center are among the building owners who benefitted from DDA energy audits in 2008-09. Upon receiving their energy audit both committed to investing in energy improvements, ranging from lighting and windows to more energy efficient heating and cooling equipment.
Even though Curtis Commercial has made energy efficient investments in the past, they credited the DDA's program for spurring these additional improvements. “We would not have done them … had it not been for the support of the DDA,” Curtis said. “There's no question that we have accelerated and prioritized the energy efficiency programs provided through the DDA as our capital improvement projects for this year and next.”
"On behalf of the Neutral Zone's teens, staff and Board of the Ann Arbor Teen Center we greatly appreciate the $20,000 grant provided by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority to fund insulation of Neutral Zone's B-Side and studio. The project is of immense value to us - it will save energy and money from now well into the future. We are grateful for this incredible assistance."
John Weis,
Executive Director, Neutral Zone Teen Center
Zingerman’s is one of many downtown businesses that benefitted from the DDA Energy Saving Grant Program in 2009-2010, investing over $16,800 in improvements and expecting to save over $4,500 in annual energy costs. With plans to implement more energy improvements in the next year, Nancy Rucker, Zingerman’s facility Manager, expressed her enthusiasm for the DDA program, “The audit has been a big success for us here at the deli. I couldn't be more enthusiastic, it's really a great program and I highly recommend that all downtown businesses take advantage of this opportunity to gain matching funds and professional guidance. You can’t go wrong – everything you need is provided and the results keep on giving! I invite anyone interested in knowing more to come visit with me here at the deli, I'm happy to share our experience and all that we've gained and learned by doing this audit."
"The DDA's Energy Program provided us with a complete look at the energy efficiency of the Schlenker Building and opportunities for saving both energy and operating expense. We applaud the DDA for proactively promoting energy conservation within the downtown community."
Janet Muhleman, Owner, Liberty Land L.L.C.
"The Energy Conservation Grant program is, in my view, at the "core" of what the DDA is supposed to be providing."
Kent W. Burkhart, Burkhart Enterprises
"The DDA was instrumental in motivating and educating us as a major owner in the downtown to make significant investments in energy conservation. They planted the seed and we are now proud to say that we are leading the way in downtown today in our Green partnership with Google and at our other buildings as well."
Albert M. Berriz, CEO McKinley, Inc.
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This program is the latest in a number of DDA initiatives to promote sustainability as an essential component of downtown development. The DDA anticipates that the Energy Saving Grant program will help building and business owners find ways to save overhead costs and reduce their carbon footprint through energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.
If you are interested in more information, please contact the DDA Energy Programs Director, Dave Konkle at dkonkle@a2dda.org
If you have additional questions or comments, please contact us using the following information:
150 South Fifth Avenue
Suite 301
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Email: dda@a2dda.org
Telephone: (734) 994-6697
Fax: (734) 997-1491