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Green Equipment for Cambridge Businesses ARPA Program

The Green Equipment for Cambridge Businesses ARPA Program (the “Program”) provides funding to Cambridge, Massachusetts based small businesses and non-profit organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses will receive financial assistance in the form of reimbursement for the purchase of eligible equipment that makes their business operations or building more energy efficient, reduces their use of fossil fuels, or that provide renewable energy to power their business operations.

Applications are available starting June 17, 2024 until September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. There is no guarantee that you will secure funding. Reimbursements will be issued on a rolling basis to businesses that meet all eligibility requirements. It is possible that all funds allocated for this Program will be used before the application deadline.

The Program utilizes funds received by the City of Cambridge (the “City”) from the federal American Rescue Plan Act In order to determine eligibility for the Program, each applicant will be required to provide the information outlined below. This information is used to determine the eligibility of the applicant under ARPA guidelines.

The Program will provide reimbursements up to $250,000.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the Program, a business must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a physical location in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • Have fewer than 500 employees.
  • Demonstrate they have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Complete a no-cost Mass Save Small Business Energy Assessment.

Businesses not eligible for this grant include:

  • Businesses not located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • Businesses that operate out of a residential unit.
  • Businesses that cannot demonstrate a loss of sales/revenue between 2019 and 2021.
  • Businesses that sell cannabis.

What the grant can and cannot be used for

What Funds Can Be Used For

Funding will be issued as a reimbursement for the purchase of equipment that makes their business operations or building more energy efficient, reduces their use of fossil fuels, or that provide renewable energy to power their business operations.

Example eligible items include:

  • Energy efficient lighting and refrigeration.
  • Heat pumps.
  • Induction ranges.
  • Water heating equipment
  • Solar or heat pump water heaters.
  • Electric panel and service upgrades when purchased in conjunction with other eligible equipment.
  • Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
  • Electric lawn equipment.
  • Rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
  • All recommendations resulting from a no-cost Mass Save® Energy Assessment (except those that use fossil fuels such as oil or gas).

Businesses will only be reimbursed for equipment costs. Installation costs are not reimbursable by this Program.

The final determination about equipment eligibility will be made by the Center for Ecotechnology, Inc. ("CET").

 

What Funding Cannot Be Used For

Funding may not be used for equipment that operates using fossil fuels (i.e. oil, natural gas, propane).

Funding may not be used to pay for installation costs. Businesses must pay directly for any installation costs associated with their equipment.

How to Apply

To apply for the program, please fill out this following intake form: Cambridge Business Green Equipment ARPA Program Application

 

Apply Now

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