The Office of Sustainability implements South Bend’s Climate Action Plan
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS:
Smart Businesses Recycle
This pilot commercial recycling program provides discounts and bonuses for businesses that switch to or start single-stream recycling. South Bend businesses, apply today!
CLIMATE AMBASSADORS
Climate Action Ambassadors is a community outreach program. Ambassadors will facilitate conversations (“Survey Sessions”) that illuminate ways to reduce pollution and adapt to a changing environment.
EASSI (“Easy”)
The Energy Assistance and Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) assists community organizations in completing energy efficiency and/or solar projects by providing subsidized energy assessments, grants, and optional low-interest loans.
UPSKILL SB
Upskill SB provides funding for residents to receive new certifications to pivot in their careers or build skills in their current field. Six of the 23 participants in the inaugural cohort are pursuing training in the solar industry.
GO SOLAR
Our city has worked hard to make it as easy as possible for homeowners to go solar. Visit this page for step-by-step information to go solar in the City of South Bend.
CHARGE UP SOUTH BEND
The City of South Bend is installing 9 new Level 2 EV Charging stations this fall in the downtown parking garages, at the Zoo, and at the Century Center. The City is also hiring a consultant to support the development of a Community EV Charging Infrastructure Plan.
VIBRANT PLACES is a matching grant program for qualifying exterior enhancements to commercial, mixed-use, & industrial buildings.
In addition to providing support for exterior improvements through the Standard Grant, the City of South Bend can provide funding for a project that includes environmentally friendly elements.
Projects that meet the criteria for advanced sustainability benefits are eligible for additional funding above and beyond the base funding of 50%.
When the sustainability bonus is added to an eligible item, the grant share for that item can increase to 70%.
$112,000 would be the maximum grants if all items in a project meet the advanced sustainability criteria.
Office of Sustainability | Department of Community Investment | City of South Bend
