Going beyond compliance yields benefits like cost savings, improved health, greater efficiency, marketing advantages, enhanced employee morale, and stronger business resilience. Learn more and find ideas for your business:
- Climate and air: Adapt to climate change by implementing mitigation strategies and reducing air emissions.
- Energy and sustainability: Improve sustainability through energy efficiency, renewables, and responsible operations.
Need help getting started? Check out the assistance opportunities below.
Grants and loans
Funding opportunities, including grants and loans, are periodically available for small businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and other organizations. Visit the Small business environmental improvement loans page to apply for current funding.
Small business environmental improvement loans provide zero-percent interest loans to small businesses for capital equipment purchases that help the company meet or exceed environmental regulations.
Assistance programs
Support is available to help identify ways to actively reduce emissions and waste. Boost sustainability and build resilience by implementing cost-effective environmental projects throughout your business.
- Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) provides no-cost, non-regulatory energy efficiency and waste reduction assessments for small businesses in Minnesota.
- Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MNTAP), a University of Minnesota outreach program, helps Minnesota businesses prevent pollution, use resources efficiently, and reduce energy use and costs.
- Minnesota Materials Exchange is a no-cost service that links organizations with reusable goods they no longer need to those who can use them; the program is operated as part of MNTAP.
- Minnesota Waste Wise offers no-cost consulting services on waste reduction, recycling, and organics management for businesses in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties; a small fee may apply for businesses in other Minnesota counties.
- Minnesota Technical Assistance Collaborative (MN TA Collab) is a statewide network of technical assistance providers and organizations focused on helping entities and identify funding for climate and clean energy-related projects.
- The Energy Star – Industrial Assistance Network provides small and medium manufacturers with local energy support, training, networking, and recognition.