NH BFA Business Energy Loan

NH BFA Business Energy Loan

Offers New Hampshire organizations direct loans for capital projects that reduce energy use and emissions.

The NH Business Finance Authority (NH BFA) Business Energy Loan is a direct lending program operated by New Hampshire's quasi-public economic development finance agency, established in 1992. The program provides direct loans to New Hampshire for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations for capital projects that reduce energy consumption. Residential real estate is explicitly excluded. The program has been active since at least 2026 and charges no application fees.

Loans range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1,000,000, with exceptions possible above that ceiling on a case-by-case basis. Interest rates align with prevailing commercial lending rates; there are no concessional below-market rates. Repayment timelines are structured to match the borrower's projected energy savings, so that debt service is effectively covered by reduced utility costs. Applicants must demonstrate repayment capability through financial statements submitted for underwriting review. No minimum collateral requirements are imposed, though standard credit underwriting applies. A third-party energy audit documenting the projected savings is required before an application can be approved.

NH BFA is a lender, not a grant-maker; this is a debt instrument, not a grant. Organizations with creditworthy financials and a documented energy-saving capital project — such as HVAC replacement, lighting upgrades, or renewable energy installation — are the strongest candidates. The absence of application fees and the repayment-to-savings structure make the program accessible to nonprofits and smaller businesses that can substantiate projected energy cost reductions through a credible third-party audit.