How to fund your LED sports lighting project in California?
All across the nation, LEDs are becoming the go-to for sports lighting projects. In facilities and arenas of all sizes, LED lighting systems are popping up and helping organizations save valuable resources and lower their carbon footprint. This trend is especially prevalent in California, where the government is investing heavily in energy-efficient lighting programs.
When you’re just starting out with a new sports lighting project, it can seem overwhelming to try and figure out how to fund it. There are numerous grants, programs, and resources for construction projects in California, but it’s tough to understand which applies to sports lighting.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll outline some of the ways you can finance your LED sports lighting project in California.
If you are in the planning and budgeting phase of installing sports lighting at your sports facility, try our LED sports lighting cost calculator to get a customized cost estimate for your project.
Funding Opportunities in California
We all know California can be an expensive place for construction, but with aggressive investing from the state, you can offset the cost of your sports lighting project.
Small Businesses Looking for LED Sports Lighting
When you hear government funding, you might immediately think it’s solely for schools or non-profits. However, small businesses in California can benefit from many of the same programs. In fact, the state offers a wide variety of programs to support small businesses and help them save money on energy costs.
The first option is securing funding through a government-backed program like Go Green Financing. When you apply to a lender like this, you have the chance of securing 100% of the necessary funds for your sports lighting project.
Next, you can apply for a grant through the Rural Development program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Although the program was created to help improve the efficiency of agricultural producers, local businesses can also take advantage of the generous funds available. The application process is rigorous, so be sure to work with a partner that understands the requirements.
Schools and Educational Institutions Looking for LED Sports Lighting
If you’re a school or academic institution, you likely have a few different options when it comes to funding your sports lighting project.
First, you can apply to the State of California’s Energy Conservation Assistance Act. This program offers zero-interest loans to schools looking to improve their energy efficiency.
You can also take advantage of the California Clean Energy Jobs Act K-12 Program. This state-run program has awarded over $1.5 billion over the last 5 years to help schools fund their energy efficiency projects. Public schools, charter schools, state special schools, and county offices of education are all eligible to apply.
Cities, Counties, Colleges, and Universities Looking for LED Sports Lighting
If you’re looking to improve your higher education facility or city’s arenas, you can also find numerous funding opportunities.
The best place to look is the State of California’s Energy Commission’s Energy Conservation Assistance Act. Eligible applicants can receive low-interest guaranteed loans to help fund their LED sports lighting project in California.
Financing and Incentives in Different Levels of Government
For Californians, funding opportunities don’t stop at the state level. In fact, both your city and federal governments offer their own programs and incentives to help finance your sports lighting project.
Get a Cost Estimate for your LED Sports Lighting Project Before Applying for Programs
To best prepare for applying for government grants for your LED sports lighting project, you need to understand your costs. Oftentimes, grant programs require matching funds, so knowing what you need to finance is critical. When you know what you need it’s much easier to find the right resources to jumpstart your project.
If you’re ready to get started on your LED sports lighting project, the first step is to get a cost estimate from an experienced sports lighting contractor. Our easy-to-use cost calculator can help you secure an estimate to better prepare you for choosing your partner.