Loan Program Available to 'Green' Waterfront District Businesses

Attention business owners in the East Providence Waterfront District with a knack for environmental construction and technologies.

The East Providence Waterfront District Commission has established a Green Business Loan Program to assist with the expansion of existing businesses and the growth of new businesses within the district by encouraging the use of energy-efficient and “green” technologies, according to a press release issued by the organization.

The funding, obtained by Senator Jack Reed and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will be used for low-interest loans of between $10,000 and $75,000 to businesses for the following "green" activities including: 

• Energy-efficient appliances 
• Increased efficiency HVAC, heat pumps, and geothermal energy 
• Energy-efficient doors, windows, skylights and renovations
• Increased insulation 
• Wind and solar power, energy-efficient power and light bulbs 
• Retro-fitting for sustainable utilities 
• Attainment of LEED certification 
• Fabrication of energy-saving products  

According to Waterfront Commission Vice Chairman William J. Fazioli, the Waterfront Commission was created to transform vacant and underused land and buildings in the Waterfront District to generate new jobs and taxes for the city. This loan program will help commercial and industrial businesses to finance improvements to their land or buildings, purchase equipment, and add jobs.

For more information about the SBA Green Business Loan Program, see the Waterfront District website or call Executive Director Jeanne Boyle at 401/435-7530 or e-mail jboyle@cityofeastprov.com.