July 12, 2017

CME Smart Green Fund

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) is pleased to announce exciting changes to the SMART Green Program. CME has long been the leading voice in advocating for program updates and they are delighted the government of Ontario has moved forward with their recommendations.

**The SMART Green Program is open to small- and medium-sized manufacturers throughout Ontario.

Enhancements to the Program:

Effective immediately, SMART Green Program assessments will now be covered at 100% up to the following amounts:

  • $2,500 for a walk-through: One time payment will be issued following the submission of Walk-through report and proof of payment.
  • 100% up to $15,000 for a detailed technical assessment: 50% of eligible costs at time of completion will be issued. The balance of payment (if the initial payment (50%) did not exceed $15,000) will be released at the approval of a project application that resulted from the detailed assessment.
  • 100% up to $30,000 for a detailed technical assessment requiring gas metering: Technical assessments that require gas metering will follow the same process as detailed technical assessments, only the assessment value is capped at $30,000.

Of note, detailed technical assessments no longer have to be completed by a third-party consultant if the applicant has an in-house engineer or energy manager who can provide the reporting requirements.

In addition, project amounts have increased to 50% of eligible costs for a maximum of $500,000 per facility. Multiple facilities (or affiliated companies) are eligible to maximum of five, however combined funding for projects cannot exceed $1.5 million.

Next Steps:

Previously approved applicants under the SMART Green Program will be contacted by a CME staff member in the next week if they are eligible for an increase in funding amount.

Please visit their website or contact them for further information.

About the SMART Green Program:

In the fall of 2016, CME in partnership with Government of Ontario launched a new $25 million SMART Green fund that will assist eligible small- and medium-sized manufacturers reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and improve their energy efficiency.

The purpose of this program is to support investments in technology and process improvements by manufacturers which result in GHG emissions intensity reductions and/or avoidance through upgrades to process/production equipment, deliver energy efficiency, and lead to productivity improvements, which in turn lead to lower GHG emissions on per-production-unit basis; more specifically, where improvements will include new process and/or production equipment installation and associated costs to an existing facility.