Businesses and property owners in the Downtown Lowell Historic District may now apply for funding to support energy efficiency retrofits to their buildings. Project proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis starting immediately. Copies of the NOFA application forms are available from the Department of Planning and Development, JFK Civic Center 2nd floor, 50 Arcand Dr., Lowell, MA.

To request a copy of the Notice of Funding Availability, Click Here.

The BetterBuildings Program is an ARRA-funded initiative of the Federal Department of Energy to promote energy efficiency and conservation in buildings, thereby creating “better buildings”. Doing so will reduce energy consumption, reduce the cost of operating buildings, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve building comfort and cultivate local jobs that cannot be outsourced.

The City’s BetterBuilding program is offering property owners in the Downtown Lowell Historic District up to $500,000 in funding for qualified energy efficiency retrofit expenses, for projects that improve building energy use while preserving historic integrity. Up to 50% of the funding can be in the form of a grant, with the balance in the form of a low-interest loan. Property owners must also provide a $1 match for every $2 in BetterBuilding funds they receive. Projects will also qualify for extensive rebates from utility companies including National Grid and many potential tax deductions and credits.

The City has partnered with the Lowell Development and Financial Corporation and nine local lenders to form a loan pool to supplement the federal funding that is supporting this program.  For further information, please contact Project Manager Amy Janovsky in the Department of Planning and Development at 978-446-7200