Article 10B.

Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Act.

§ 160A-239.11.  Purpose; findings.

This Article shall be known and may be cited as the "Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Act." This Article authorizes the establishment of a statewide C-PACE Program that local governments may voluntarily join to allow willing owners of commercial, industrial, agricultural, nonprofit, and multifamily residential properties with five or more dwelling units to obtain low-cost, long-term financing for qualifying improvements, including energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, and resilience projects, secured by an assessment and lien authorized by this Article. The State finds that a valid public purpose exists because the use of a C-PACE Program creates an additional financing mechanism for property owners to use private funds to finance improvements to their eligible property, thereby driving economic development by creating a diversity of jobs in the resilience and clean energy sectors of the economy. The assessment requires minimal upfront costs and provides a more accessible financial mechanism to fund improvements that will increase the tax value of the affected properties at minimal administrative cost to local governments. C-PACE improvements allow property owners to save on their utility bills because the improvements lead to energy or utility savings and will result in improved indoor air quality or increased resilience, which will increase the ability of communities and local governments to respond to natural disasters and improve public health.  (2024-44, s. 1.)