Climate Champions for Businesses

1. Sign up for a free energy assessment from Energy Smart

Experienced energy experts will come to your business, review your energy use and identify ways to reduce consumption and save money. City staff can set you up with an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you.

Contact Emily Ziring, sustainability manager, at 952.924.2191 or eziring@stlouisparkmn.gov.

2. Apply for the Climate Champions cost share

After the assessment, you will receive a report detailing energy efficiency improvements, as well as grants and rebate opportunities. When you're ready to move forward with the project(s), apply for preapproval through the Climate Champions cost-share online application for a partial reimbursement. Eligible projects include efficient lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, controls, air sealing and insulation improvements. See the how to apply tab for more information.

Please note that 2026 cost share program funds have been fully allocated and the program administrator is only accepting applications for the waitlist. Applicants who apply and are pre-approved will need to wait to start their project until they receive notice of funding availability. 

3. Get recognized

If your business completes an assessment and one or more projects using the cost share, you'll be recognized as a St. Louis Park Climate Champion! You'll receive a Climate Champions window cling, your business will be listed on the city's website and recognized on social media.

Below are the eligibility requirements for businesses to participate in the cost-share program:

• Projects applying for the cost-share program must be an existing commercial property located within the City of St. Louis Park.
• An Energy Smart audit or One-Stop Efficiency Shop assessment must be performed within 36 months of and before commencing any work eligible for cost-sharing funds. The dated report(s) must be attached to the preapproval application.
• Applicant must be the property owner or manager.
• Applicants must complete their project within six months of receiving a program preapproval email. After six months, the funding may be reallocated to another project.
• Any projects that were completed before receiving preapproval are not eligible to be placed on the waitlist.

Base rate

• General energy efficiency project: 50% of total eligible utility rebate, up to $2,500 maximum
• Electrified HVAC or water heater project: 75% of total utility rebate, up to $3,500 maximum

Any property in St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria.

Environmental justice rate

• General energy efficiency project: 75% of total eligible utility rebate, up to $3,500 maximum
• Electrified HVAC or water heater project: 75% of total utility rebate, up to $5,000 maximum

Any property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and is located within census tracts 223.02, 227 or 230. Visit the United States Census Bureau's website to find your census tract.

Note: While we try to fund all projects, funds are limited. Priority will be given to projects that qualify for the environmental justice rate if more than one project is competing for any final fund balance.

* The City of St. Louis Park is committed to environmental justice and race equity. Visit the racial equity and inclusion page to learn more about the city's race equity efforts.

Total Climate Champion awards will be capped at $25,000 per property owner.

To apply for the cost-share program, complete the Climate Champions cost-share application. Make sure to upload and attach your Energy Smart or One-Stop Efficiency Shop energy report(s) and a completed W-9 form(PDF, 140KB) to the application.

You will be notified of your application status within 15 business days of receipt. 

Please note: The City of St. Louis Park’s sustainability cost share funds have been fully allocated for the year. Applicants who complete the online application for pre-approval will be placed on a waitlist and notified if funds become available. Applicants who complete their project while on the waitlist will not be eligible for city funds retroactively.

1. Apply for pre-approval 

To apply for the cost-share program, complete the Climate Champions cost-share application. Make sure to upload and attach your Energy Smart or One-Stop Efficiency Shop energy report(s) and a completed W-9 form(PDF, 140KB) to the application.

You will be notified of your application status within 15 business days of receipt.

2. Begin design or construction

After your application has been approved, complete your project no more than six months after receiving an application pre-approval email. After six months, the funding may be reallocated to another project.

3. Submit rebate checks

Submit a copy of your utility rebate check(s) to erabine@stlouisparkmn.gov by Dec. 31, 2026, within six months of your preapproval email.

4. Receive cost-share payments

Cost-share payments will be issued to the applicant within 60 business days of receiving the required documentation.

5. Program recognition

A window cling will also be mailed to the applicant when cost-share payments are issued.

They will also be recognized on the city's website and social media, unless the applicant requests otherwise.

The following are the program rules and procedures:

• The City of St. Louis Park reserves the right to revoke the funding if the property owner or contractor violates program rules and procedures.
• Funds are allocated based on what's approved in the application. In the event the project size increases or decreases, the applicant is responsible for working with their contractor(s) to submit an updated application to the city. Any additional cost-share funds must be approved by the city's program administrator.
• The applicant is responsible for arranging all upfront project financing. Additional financing resources are available from the city.
• Check with your tax preparer to find out if there are tax implications of receiving cost-share funds.
• Applicant must complete their energy audit and receive their report before applying for construction permits. All work must meet City of St. Louis Park, state, regional and national zoning, building and fire codes.
• The City of St. Louis Park can't recommend specific contractors.
• The applicant is strongly encouraged to verify the contractor's qualifications. To verify the status of licenses, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's website or call DLI at 651.284.5069.
• The applicant is responsible for ensuring that product purchases, equipment purchases, installation or other work proposed have been completed satisfactorily before paying the contractor(s).
• Total Climate Champion awards will be capped at $25,000 per property owner. Individual project caps are determined by total eligible utility rebates per project type and are subject to staff determination. See the "Cost-sharing amounts" tab for more information or reach out to staff with questions.
• Any projects that were completed before preapproval are not eligible to be placed on the waitlist.

Can the Energy Smart energy advisor submit the Climate Champions application on behalf of the property owner?

The energy advisor can fill out and sign the application form under two conditions:

• Advisor signs name but adds after it "on behalf of [CUSTOMER NAME]"
• Property owner must email Emily Ziring, eziring@stlouisparkmn.gov, indicating they gave permission to the energy advisor to complete the application. An email that reads "I give permission for [ENERGY ADVISOR] to complete the Climate Champions program application on my behalf" will suffice.

I already received a One-Stop Efficiency Shop® assessment. Am I eligible for the Climate Champions cost share?

Yes. Contact us to discuss how to qualify. Your business must have received both a One-Stop Efficiency Shop lighting and HVAC assessment.

I completed my energy improvements last year but didn't get an Energy Smart assessment first. Can I still qualify for the cost share?

No. Projects must receive an Energy Smart assessment and be preapproved for the cost share.

The program is currently waitlisted. Can I still apply? 

Yes! You can still apply to the program and be placed on the waitlist. If funds become available throughout the year, applicants will be notified in order of pre-approval. If you complete your project while on the waitlist, you will not be eligible for city funds retroactively. 

Below are the local St. Louis Park businesses that have participated in the Climate Champions cost-share program.

• Nelson's
• Anderberg Innovative Print Solutions
• Dreamers Vault Games
• North Star Living
• Presswrite Printing
• Reddy Rents
• CKJ Properties
• Opitz Outlet
• Weld Kraft
• The Fish Guys
• AAA Minneapolis
• BAM! Automotive
• SharePoint Credit Union