Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge Reaches Milestone Savings

July 31,2014

INVEST ATLANTA TO PROVIDE UP TO $2.6 MILLION IN WESTSIDE TAD FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF CHALLENGE

Over 200 buildings accounting for more than 70 million square feet in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead have accepted the challenge to reduce energy and water consumption 20 per cent by the year 2020 and today we can say with pride, “We’re nearly half way there!”

On June 19th more than 200 attendees, including property managers, building owners and other Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge (Atlanta BBC) stakeholders, gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievement of 9% energy savings portfolio-wide. A national leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge, the Atlanta BBC has shown early success with water consumption as well saving over 33 million gallons of water over the first two years of the program.

“Atlanta is on the path to become one of the nation’s most environmentally sustainable cities,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “Our commitment to invest in long-term water and energy conservation solutions gives Atlanta a competitive edge and enhances the City’s economic vitality.”

To help Atlanta reach its goal, Invest Atlanta is offering financial resources for building owners interested in implementing energy efficiency projects as part of the Atlanta BBC. The Westside Tax Allocation District will provide up to $2.6 million to fund energy savings projects aiming to create and retain jobs, improve the existing building stock and strengthen the competitiveness of the Downtown submarket. This is the second round of Invest Atlanta funding to support the Challenge, bringing the total support to $8 million. 

Building owners will receive up to 40 percent of the cost of substantive building upgrades. Eligible projects must be at least 10,000 sq. feet with a minimum total project cost of $1.25 million. Applicants must also provide evidence of ownership of the building and the property has to be located within the Westside TAD which includes the western portion of Downtown and the neighborhoods of Vine City, English Avenue and Castleberry Hill.  Projects will be evaluated based on job creation, private investment, vacancy rates, building attraction and reduction in energy and water consumption. Funding preference will be given to Atlanta BBC participants who have previously completed an Energy Audit Report.

Applications are available on Invest Atlanta’s website athttp://www.investatlanta.com/opportunities/application-funds-westside-tax-allocation-district-tad-atlanta-buildings-challenge-grant-program/

Applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on July 31, 2014.

Related Category: Sustainability