Help Restore C-PACE Access for SBA-Financed Small Businesses
NAPPA is coordinating a national advocacy effort to restore a pathway for businesses with SBA 7(a) and 504 financing to access eligible Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.
Why This Matters
C-PACE can help commercial property owners finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, resiliency, and major building improvements through long-term financing tied to the property. For many small businesses, especially those in rural and underserved communities, SBA financing is also a critical part of the capital stack.
C-PACE is voluntary.
Property owners choose whether to participate, and projects are financed without creating a federal taxpayer-funded lending program.
Senior lender consent matters.
C-PACE transactions generally require consent from an existing senior mortgage lender before financing can proceed.
Small businesses are affected.
Current SBA guidance can prevent SBA lenders from providing the consent needed for an otherwise qualifying C-PACE transaction.
Two Ways to Take Action
Program administrators and industry partners can support this effort locally and nationally.
Contact Your Congressional Delegation
NAPPA has prepared a customizable letter that state and local C-PACE programs can send directly to their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
- Add your program and state information.
- Include local C-PACE investment or project data.
- Add a small-business or rural-community example if available.
- Send the completed letter to your congressional delegation.
Join the National Sign-On Letter
NAPPA is compiling organizations from across the country in support of restoring SBA lender consent for qualifying C-PACE financing.
- Review the national letter.
- Confirm that you are authorized to sign for your organization.
- Submit your organization through the sign-on form.
- Share an optional example of how this issue affects your market.
How the National Sign-On Works
Review
Read the national letter and the requested federal action.
Authorize
Confirm that you are authorized to add your organization as a signatory.
Submit
Complete the online sign-on form with your organization and contact information.
NAPPA Delivers
NAPPA will compile participating organizations and deliver the final national letter to federal policymakers.
Add Your Organization to the National Letter
The national letter will urge federal policymakers to restore an appropriate pathway allowing SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders to consent to qualifying C-PACE assessments.
Participating organizations may also provide an optional example of how the current SBA policy affects C-PACE investment, small businesses, rural communities, lenders, or redevelopment efforts in their state.
Campaign Resources
Everything you need to participate in the NAPPA SBA/C-PACE advocacy effort.
State Advocacy Letter
Editable template for program administrators to customize and send to their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
National Sign-On Letter
Review the national advocacy letter before authorizing your organization to be included.
