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November 28, 2023
Family Church completes energy-efficient remodel for its new 130,000-square-foot campus
Family Church of Zeeland leveraged the power of the Ottawa County PACE program to purchase and remodel a new campus for their growing congregation. Assisted by Lean and Green Michigan and the PACE administrator for Ottawa County, the church secured financing from a private lender for $2 million in energy-efficient equipment and materials for the project. The improvements are projected to result in approximately $3.44 million in net savings over 25 years.
Ottawa County does not provide funding for PACE projects, which are specialized loans dedicated to energy-saving enhancements. The County does offer technical assistance for property owners interested in leveraging the PACE program. Eligible property types include commercial, industrial, or multi-unit residential properties, as well as nonprofits, houses of worship, and agricultural enterprises. Read more about how it works and why borrowers benefit below.
The Family Church project proposal included constructing many aspects of their building above code, including building envelope insulation, energy-efficient HVAC systems, high-efficiency water fixtures and LED lighting. With a total investment of $11 million in the project, PACE funding helped Family Church purchase and upgrade a new campus of 130,000 square feet and 40 acres.
According to Ryan Sietsma, Board Treasurer for Family Church, "We’re very thankful that God has provided in so many ways, and PACE was one of them. We want to be a church that is able to say yes to people that need help, and PACE helps us do that by minimizing the amount we pay in debt service and utilities."
Becky Huttenga, Economic Development Coordinator, and PACE Project Manager for Ottawa County, said, "It always feels good when you can use the tools the State makes available to us to help a project across the finish line - especially when it results in energy conservation, job creation, and community programming!"
HOW IT WORKS
The PACE program helps property owners secure a loan for energy efficient improvements directly from a participating private lender. PACE loans, with terms of up to 25 years, can cover energy-efficient improvements and are secured by attaching a voluntary special assessment to the property upon which the improvements were made. Energy cost savings generated by these improvements create positive cash flow for the property owner. Additionally, because the loan is secured with the assessment - meaning it runs with the land, not the owner – taxes can be collected to make the lender whole in the event of borrower default. Ottawa County is not the lender and is never responsible for repayment of the loan, only for collecting the taxes.
According to Lean and Green Michigan (LAGM), which assists Ottawa County with administering the program, virtually any energy efficiency, water efficiency, or renewable energy project can qualify.
PACE, enabled by Public Act 270 of 2010, is one more economic development tool that Ottawa County can offer to its business owners that can also help them be more environmentally conscious. The PACE program is administered through the County’s Department of Strategic Impact.
For more detailed information on the PACE program, visit www.miottawa.org/PACE, or email plan@miottawa.org. For more information on eligibility, visit www.leanandgreenmi.com.
Media Contact:
Becky Huttenga, Economic Development Coordinator
616-738-4893 | bhuttenga@miottawa.org
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