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.

C-PACER Sumter Statutory Authority

The C-PACER Authority has established 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. In Georgia, the program was authorized in 2020, and counties like Fulton, DeKalb, and Chatham have active programs. Sumter County hasn’t launched one yet, but it could opt in.

Statutory Authority Role

• BOARD APPROVAL of the establishment of a statutory “projects” development authority, retaining some members of the current Authority, meeting quarterly, or when applications need approval. 
• The new statutory authority (C-PACER only authority) will be named the Commercial Property Assessed Conservation, Energy, and Resiliency Development Authority
• BOARD APPROVAL of a dollar limit, “not to exceed” Master Bond resolution
• BOARD APPROVAL of a Supplemental resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds for a particular project
• BOARD APPROVAL of the designation of a “Program Administrator” to approve project applications, and submit required reporting
• BOARD APPROVAL of loan applications with the signing of the ‘Assessment Agreement’ between the project owner and the county
• The Authority will work with the county to produce an IGA for the establishment of a statutory authority, which the tax collector also signs, and to pass the ordinance
• The tax commissioner will remit the taxes collected under a special assessment to the Authority

County Role

• The Authority will work with the county to pass an ordinance
• 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. This could take 3-4 weeks.

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: 229-924-7007

slw, 12/03/25