Overview

The Green Communities Fund is a rebate program offered by the Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF). The Green Communities Fund provides a rebate for pre-approved, eligible energy efficient improvements to downtown commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family buildings within the state of Georgia. Participants in the Green Communities Fund rebate program should be aware of the following program requirements:

	-	The Green Communities Fund rebate program will focus on buildings within the downtowns of any city in the state of Georgia.
	-	The program will provide a rebate equal to 25% of the eligible, pre-approved energy efficient improvements. The minimum rebate is $2,500 ($10,000 eligible project size).
	-	The maximum rebate is $50,000 ($200,000 eligible project size) for a single project.
	-	Types of energy efficient project costs that may be eligible for rebates include but are not limited to: reflective roofing, insulation, hi-efficiency HVAC systems, tankless hot water heaters, hi-efficiency lighting, weatherization, Energy Star approved products, and certain hi-efficiency appliances and equipment. Rebates are not available for window or door replacement.
	-	Rebates are available for renewable energy projects (e.g. solar photovoltaic) only after a building has attained a level of energy efficiency 20% baseline.
	-	The energy efficiency improvements must meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements:
		- 20% reduction in energy use;
		- 10 year or better combined return on investment (combined improvements pay for themselves with energy savings in 10 or fewer years);
		- Improvements that enable building to attain one of the following certifications: Energy Star, LEED, EarthCraft.
	-	All eligible improvements and project location must be approved by the Georgia Cities Foundation PRIOR to beginning work.
	-	Applicants must provide proof of payment for all eligible work as well as contractor lien releases.
	-	If an applicant does not own the building in which the energy improvements are to be made, the property owner must provide written permission for the applicant to undertake the project.
	-	All improvements made will be required to comply with any state and/or local design guidelines.
	-	The Georgia Cities Foundation reserves the right to perform follow-up inspections to insure that improvements were installed as required.
	-	Rebate payments will be made to the rebate applicant only. No payments will be made directly to contractors.

Rebate Application Process

Prior to the start of any eligible improvements, the project location and improvements must be approved by the Georgia Cities Foundation. The applicant must fill out a rebate application which will include the project location and the intended improvements. Documentation showing project costs and predicted energy savings must be included. Any modifications to the scope of the project must be approved by GCF.

Final Rebate Invoicing Process

Following the approval from the Georgia Cities Foundation, the work may begin. All contractors must be 3 party vendors and must be paid in full PRIOR to the request for a rebate payment. The Georgia Cities Foundation recognizes that the contractors involved and/or the cost of the project may change. So long as the efficiency measures are met, the project would still be eligible for a rebate. Required documentation for submitting a request for a rebate payment include:

	-	Itemized contractor invoices;
	-	Proof of payment to contractors/vendors (e.g. cancelled checks, credit card receipts); and
	-	Contractor lien releases.

The decisions made by the Foundation shall be final and conclusive.

Statement of Conditions

In addition to the specific certifications made by the applicant in accepting the approval letter, the recipient further certifies or acknowledges that:

1. No applicable state laws, rules, regulations, or applicable local ordinances shall be violated in carrying out the project.

2. No real or apparent conflict of interest shall be engaged in by any official, employees or agent of the recipient and sub-recipient(s) and any member of their immediate family, their partners and any organization which employs, or is about to employ, any of the above. This prohibition prohibits both the solicitation and acceptance of gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors, or parties or sub-agreements. It is the responsibility of the recipient to disclose to the Foundation any relationship that might create a real or apparent conflict of interest as soon as the recipient becomes aware of it.

3. The recipient s project cost documentation shall be maintained in a manner consistent with generally accepted government accounting standards.

4. It is the recipient s responsibility to determine the laws applicable to the specific project and to meet ALL such requirements (e.g., Georgia's Environmental Policy Act).

5. Rebates shall be disbursed by the Foundation in accordance with the provisions of the approval letter. Those provisions may vary depending on each project's particular circumstances.

6. The Foundation may make reviews and audits of the project including on-site reviews as may be necessary or appropriate to implement the program and insure the requirements contained in the approval letter are met. In the case of noncompliance, the Foundation at its sole discretion shall take such actions, as it deems appropriate to prevent continuance of the deficiency, mitigate any adverse effects or consequences and prevent a recurrence.

7. The Foundation reserves the right to establish other guidelines or requirements in order to further the purposes of the rebate program.

8. The Foundation reserves the right to request additional information as needed.