1/9/2024
The City of South Bend has launched the third year of the Energy Assistance and Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) to assist local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and now businesses with installing solar panels and making energy efficiency upgrades.
“We are excited to launch a third year of EASSI and are especially excited to offer this program for the first time to businesses,” said Director of Sustainability Alex Bazán. “Our local businesses have a tremendous opportunity to benefit from this program and we look forward to working with them this year.”
The program, a partnership between the City of South Bend, IFF, and CDFI Friendly South Bend, provides community organizations with a free energy assessment, matching grant funding up to $30,000 for projects, and resources to address gaps to finance projects. Organizations that participated in the program in previous years can apply for funding for eligible projects identified in their energy assessment last year.
In the program’s two years, it assisted 24 organizations that led to 9 solar projects and over 20 energy efficiency projects, with private investment totaling over $1.2 million.
Applications for the program are open and are due by Monday, February 26.
To learn more about the EASSI program and to apply, visit southbendin.gov/eassi.