City grant funding can help make efficiency upgrades a reality for Minnesota businesses in 2025
For businesses looking to make energy efficiency upgrades, the upfront cost of new lighting, HVAC, or refrigeration equipment can be a barrier. Fortunately, businesses located in select Twin Cities metro areas can take advantage of special city-funded grants, cost-share, and rebate programs. This extra funding paired with rebates from CEE’s One-Stop Efficiency Shop (One-Stop) or other utility programs can significantly reduce project costs and payback periods.
2025 City Grants, Cost-Share, and Rebate Programs
- Bloomington – 20% of the cost (up to $2,500 for eligible lighting, HVAC, or refrigeration upgrades
- Edina – 100% utility rebate match (up to $2,500) for eligible lighting, HVAC, or refrigeration upgrades
- Hopkins – Up to $12,500 for eligible lighting upgrades or up to $5,000 for eligible HVAC or refrigeration upgrades
- Minneapolis Green Cost Share – 20% to 40% of the cost (up to $20,000) for eligible lighting, HVAC, or refrigeration upgrades when applying through the One-Stop program
- Northfield – 50% of total rebate (up to $2,500) for eligible lighting, HVAC, or refrigeration upgrades
- Richfield – 20% of the cost (up to $2,500) for eligible lighting, HVAC, or refrigeration upgrades
- St. Louis Park – 50% to 75% utility rebate match (up to $3,500)
- Saint Paul – Grants up to $50,000, or more than $50,000 with a 1:1 match, for physical (capital) improvement projects for any public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit organization located in or doing business in Saint Paul
The One-Stop team has helped numerous commercial property owners and operators optimize rebates and city grants to significantly reduce project costs. With guidance from One-Stop, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) received over $76,000 through the Minneapolis Green Cost Share fund for lighting projects completed across the district in 2023 and 2024. The funds saved through grant funding allowed MPS to direct more funding for academics and spend less on maintenance and repairs. Read more about how One-Stop partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools.
PRG, Inc., a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization focused on providing affordable housing and eliminating racial disparities in housing, also partnered with One-Stop to utilize Minneapolis Green Cost Share funding to replace aging rooftop units (RTUs) at their office. PRG received over $6,500 to upgrade to dual fuel RTUs, a hybrid system made-up of both an electric heat pump and a gas furnace. Thanks to Minneapolis Green Cost Share, PRG was able to find a solution that met their organization’s energy efficiency goals without compromising on costs. Read more about how One-Stop partnered with PRG, Inc.
Arc’s Value Village utilized grant funding available through the City of Richfield to help cover the cost of lighting improvements and reduce payback periods at their location in Richfield. Read more about how One-Stop partnered with Arc’s Value Village.
Questions? Our team of commercial energy rebate experts are here to help you navigate the grant funding and rebate process and see what funds may be available for your business. Reach out to us at onestop@mncee.org or 612-244-2427.