Florida PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Funding Agency has made some $500 million in financing available to businesses and homeowners for shoring up buildings against storms and making other energy-related improvements. But to take advantage, those businesses and homeowners have to live in cities and counties that choose to participate.
This week Nassau County completed its interlocal agreement. It was just the second Florida county to subscribe to the innovative program. Flagler was the first. And now — a month later — Flagler contractors are hiring crews, hoping to jump-start a sputtering construction industry with contracts to install solar panels, wind-harden structures and generally upgrade inefficient energy conduits in neighborhoods and business precincts. Read full story.