Available Funds
UPPCO Energy Efficiency Loan
Get a 0% APR loan with the UPPCO Energy Efficiency Program
The Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) and Northern Initiatives have joined forces to help energy customers save money today and into tomorrow. UPPCO small business commercial customers (General Service C-1, Commercial Heating H-1 or Light and Power P-1) can schedule a free energy assessment to find out where and how to make energy efficient improvements, then take out a no-interest loan to pay for the enhancements.
The quick version:
- 0% interest loan program for small businesses
- You must be an UPPCO Customer
- Your loan must be for energy efficient improvements to your business (such as the building – lighting, insulation) or equipment (machines used to produce/process your goods, heating and cooling equipment, etc.)
Hiawatha Log Homes expects to save $2,000 a month
Hiawatha Log Homes kiln-dries its logs in “big buildings like airplane hangars.” They burn their own chips, make steam, get the radiator hot, and use fans to blow the hot air through the airplane hangar. The process takes 26 to 31 days.
Introducing “The Magic Box,” as CEO Joe Esbrook calls it.
Hiawatha Log Homes’ new VFDs with, left to right, Mike McNally – Hiawatha Log Homes Plant Manager, Jason Schaen, UPPCO Account Manager, Joe Esbrook, Hiawatha Log Homes CEO & Operating Partner
Read The Story
Ready to begin the loan process?
The free energy assessment will provide an Insight Report that lists top priorities, energy savings and cost. Customers can then choose their own contractor (must meet project specs) to complete what work they decide they’d like to have done.
Northern Initiatives, a Community Development Financial Institution with 30 years of lending experience, will set up the interest-free loan to cover the costs of the energy efficient improvements. Plus, by working with UPPCO’s Energy Efficiency Program through this process there are also rebates available that can range from 25% to 75% of the cost of the improvements.
UPPCO customers can email energyefficiency@uppco.com or call 906-449-2222 to schedule the free energy assessment.
FAQs
- General Service C-1;
- Commercial Heating H-1; or
- Light and Power P-1 rates.
Yes, and 18 years or older.
No, but when you become one you’ll have free access to our Initiate business learning portal.
There is no credit score requirement. If your credit score is low, Northern Initiatives will work with you to improve it. Please make sure you’re up to date on all payments (bills, taxes, child support, etc.).
- Energy assessment + results (within a week, depending on both parties’ availability)
- Online loan application (10 minutes)
- Initial contact from Northern Initiatives (within five business days)
- Energy assessment through UPPCO Energy Efficiency = free
- All loan interest and origination fees = free
- Minimum loan amount of $1,000; maximum $50,000; payable over up to five years
- No penalty fees for early payoff
No, the loan program is for businesses only, but you can still receive a free residential energy assessment and qualify for residential energy efficiency rebates.
Business Information
- Legal Business Name
- DBA if used
- Legal Structure
- Type of Business: Existing or Start up
- Business Tax ID Number (TIN)
- NAICS Code
- Date of Business Formation
- Date Current Ownership Established
- State of Business Formation
- Questions on whether space or equipment is leased / rented
- Gross Revenue in last full fiscal year
- Description of Business (narrative)
Contact Information
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Business Address – physical and mailing
Employees
- Number of existing employees
- Number of employee jobs to be created
- Number of employees to be retained
Documents to Upload
- Articles of Incorporation or Organization
- Internal Structure Documents (Bylaws for S or C Corp, Operating Agreement or Partnership Agreement)
