C-PACER LOANS

The C-PACER program—short for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Resiliency—is a financing option that helps commercial property owners fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency improvements through long-term, low-interest loans repaid via their property tax bill.

On April 25, 2024, the Governor signed into law House Bill 206 (“HB 206”). HB 206 amended Chapter 42 and Chapter 62 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to enable development authorities to establish commercial property assessed conservation, energy, and resiliency programs.

If you are interested in this program, please contact your bank, or the Authority.

C-PACER Sumter Statutory Authority

The C-PACER Authority was established through an IGA with the county to enable C-PACE-approved improvements for both new and existing businesses, and to impose assessments to secure financing for the lender.

What Does C-PACER Cover?

C-PACER can finance a wide range of improvements, including:

  • High-efficiency HVAC systems
  • Solar panels and energy storage
  • Backup power generation
  • Insulation and building envelope upgrades
  • LED lighting retrofits
  • Water conservation/efficiency systems

How It Works

  • Property owners work with a C-PACER lender to fund eligible upgrades
  • Requires no up-front capital
  • Can be used for new construction or existing buildings
  • The item must be permanently affixed
  • The loan is repaid through a special assessment added to the property’s tax bill, collected by the county
  • Terms can stretch up to 20–30 years, and the financing is tied to the property, not the owner, meaning it can transfer upon sale to a new owner

Local Adoption

C-PACER is enabled by state legislation and administered locally. 

Statutory Authority Role

  • BOARD APPROVAL of loan applications with the signing of the ‘Assessment Agreement’ between the project owner and the county
  • The tax commissioner will remit the taxes collected under a special assessment to the Authority

County Role

  • The county executes an “Assessment Agreement” with the project owner, where they voluntarily agree to the levy of assessment and the records being placed on the land records of the property
  • A special assessment is added to the property bill and is collected by the tax commissioner and remitted to the authority
  • The county/tax commissioner will enforce delinquent assessment amounts in the same manner as regular assessments

Property Eligibility

  • The property must be located within the county limits of Sumter
  • The property may be privately owned or leased
  • The property must not be a residential building. Eligible types include: commercial, industrial, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. Also included are agricultural real property or multifamily real property with five or more units.

Property Owners

Property owners will implement energy efficiency and resiliency improvements designed to enhance the durability of the property, which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Seismic retrofits
  • Flood mitigation
  • Fire suppression
  • Wind resistance
  • Energy storage
  • Backup power generation…

Assessment Collection

Special assessments are added to property tax bills and collected by the tax commissioner, who then remits them to the Authority.

State Role

The state will validate the Master Bond Resolution and Supplemental Bond.

Mortgage Lender Role

The mortgage lender’s consent is required before a property owner may use C-PACER financing.

Wo Benefits?

  • Commercial property owners: Lower upfront costs and improved cash flow, lower energy bills
  • Tenants: Better comfort and lower utility bills
  • Local governments: Economic development and sustainability goals, no financial risk or liability, no usage of taxpayer dollars
  • Investors: Secure, long-term returns backed by property assessments

Contact: Rusty Warner, Executive Director, 229-924-7007

 

slw, 12/03/25