Links

HUD
Using the resources available through several HUD programs, state and local governments have the ability to make low-interest economic development loans to local businesses that promise to open or expand their activities. The programs are: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the Section 108 program, the Economic Development Initiative, and the Brownfields Economic Development Initiative.

National Industrial Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment, and Economics (NICE3)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sponsors an innovative, cost-sharing program to promote energy efficiency, clean production, and economic competitiveness in industry. The grant program, National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics (NICE³), provides funding to state and industry partnerships (large and small business) for projects that develop and demonstrate advances in energy efficiency and clean production technologies. NICE³ has sponsored over 100 projects and leveraged $26.3 million in federal funds with $81.8 million in state and industry funds since 1991.

EPA's Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN)
Provides information on financing alternatives for small businesses. EFIN maintains an on-line database containing abstracts of publications, case studies, and contacts; and distributes EPA documents on the topic of environmental financing.

Small Business Administration Pollution Control Loan Programs
SBA's Pollution Control loan program finances energy conservation development and the planning, design, or installation of pollution-control facilities. SBA will guarantee up to $1,000,000 for such loans.

ShoreBank Pacific
Lends to small businesses in the Pacific Northwest and provides information on conservation improvements that can increase a borrower's bottom line and the value of his or her business. ShoreBank Pacific assists borrowers to use energy efficiently, reduce waste and pollution, conserve natural resources, and optimize profitability.

Environmental Bankers Association (EBA)
As a non-profit trade association of about 60 banks and non-bank financial institutions, EBA provides its members with technical, regulatory and financial research support on various issues ranging from remediation technologies to states with voluntary cleanup programs to the latest environmental insurance programs for contaminated property deals and insurance programs being offered in the marketplace for portfolio transactions.

Sustainable Business.com's Venture Capital/Financing Links
Provides a list of links to venture capital groups and other sources of investment in sustainable development and business ventures.

Guide to Financial Resources for Eco-Industrial Parks
This guide informs EIP practitioners about available funding resources.

Articles and Publications

DOE's Industrial Technologies Program Financing Toolbook
Helps manufacturers work through key issues and alternatives relating to financing manufacturing modernization. Includes the following sections: 1) Financing options and strategies; 2) Case studies; 3) Federal programs; and 4) State programs.

EPA's Guidebook of Financial Tools
Provides a reference work intended to provide an overview of a wide range of ways and means that are useful in paying for sustainable environmental systems. It is divided into 10 sections, presenting outline information on approximately 250 financial tools. The first five sections present comprehensive financing tools that include traditional means of raising revenue, borrowing capital, enhancing credit, creating public-private partnerships, and ways of providing technical assistance.

Public-Sector Loans to Private-Sector Businesses: An Assessment of HUD-Supported Local Economic Development Lending Activities
Examines the results and performance of economic development loans made through HUD programs to private businesses.

Sustainable Finance and Banking: The Financial Sector and the Future of the Planet
This book examines this underdeveloped yet inherently interdependent relationship: why the financial sector is crucial to achieving sustainability and why the triple bottom line of commercial, environmental and social success points the way forward for banking.

Business Finance as a Tool for Development
ISBN: 0898431123
Reviews state-of-the-art finance strategies for starting businesses as a community economic development approach.

Last updated: April 7, 2004

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