EPS New Construction

2019 Residential Business Development Funds updates


On January 1, 2019, revisions to the current Home Retrofit and EPS New Construction Business Development Fund (BDF) will go into effect. These revisions include the following:

  • All projects must promote Energy Trust Residential offers
  • A new campaign ally participation pathway will be added
  • Higher reimbursement rates will be available for rural, minority-owned and women-owned businesses
  • Higher reimbursement rates for bilingual advertisements
  • Removal of star rating requirements
  • Updated annual maximum

All BDF projects or training reimbursements require pre-approval and an estimated cost; please use the Residential BDF Application to apply for pre-approval. Pre-approval confirms project and training eligibility but does not reserve funds; funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note final invoices must be submitted within 15 days of the release of your project or the date of your training.

Newly eligible BDF projects:

  • Social media
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Yelp

Discontinued project types effective January 1, 2019:

  • Yellow page advertisements for all regions
  • Website development costs
Reimbursement requirements
StandardMBE, WBE & Rural1
Annual maximum: $3,000
Amount reimbursed: 30 percent
• Only $2,000 may be reimbursed for trainings
• $200 per person maximum for training
• 50 percent reimbursement for bilingual advertisements
Annual maximum: $4,000
Amount reimbursed: 50 percent
• Only $2,000 may be reimbursed for trainings
• $200 per person maximum for training
Minimum reimbursement:
• $75 for marketing
• $75 for training
Minimum reimbursement:
• $75 for marketing
• $75 for training

1Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) designate minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Rural businesses are designated as businesses that serve rural customers.

Project eligibility:

  • Project must promote Energy Trust Residential offers
  • Pre-approval is required
  • Must have submitted at least one project for approval in the previous 12 months
  • Project must meet logo and text requirements

No requirement changes are anticipated for New Manufactured Homes BDF. Visit the New Manufactured Homes page for information.

For more details on BDF guidelines and to confirm pre-approval, visit the Business Development Fund Insider page or contact homesfund@energytrust.org or 1.866.365.3526.