Ben Madilynn
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – As Laredo continues to grow, a nonprofit organization is reaching out to business owners interested in programs that could reduce costs and lower their carbon footprint.
In downtown Laredo, some businesses are opening their doors, some are closing, and others are being revitalized. Arnoldo Lozano, administrator of the City of Laredo Economic Development Department, emphasized the importance of energy efficiency in these efforts. “Those environmental factors, they all come into play with the overarching goal of bringing back these buildings in an energy-efficient way,” he said.
One of the businesses experiencing a revival is located at 1 South Main Avenue, next to the Outlet Shoppes at Laredo. Eric Jacobov, the property owner of the Landmark Hotel, expressed optimism about the revitalization of downtown. “It’s a very big step forward for downtown and Laredo as a whole,” Jacobov said.
During a workshop organized by the City of Laredo Economic Development Department and the Texas PACE Authority, Jacobov spoke to a room of over 20 entrepreneurs about how the PACE program assisted him in reopening the hotel. “It’s a building that everyone knows,” Jacobov noted. “It’s called a landmark tower for a reason; it’s not just a landmark, but at the same time it’s a landmark site in Laredo. It’s something that everyone knows and wants to see come back to life.”
With long-term financing through the Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, Jacobov was able to redevelop the historical Landmark Hotel, which is already undergoing significant changes. He shared that the PACE program allowed them to install new plumbing fixtures, upgrade hallway lights to LED, and implement energy-efficient HVAC systems in the renovated hotel.
For those unable to attend the conference, Charlene Heydinger, president of the Texas PACE Authority, continues to educate other business owners and nonprofits about the program. “Right now, businesses would love to use less power and a lot less water. The equipment is too expensive,” Heydinger explained. “The idea is that the city has stepped up and said it’s going to encourage private lenders to support our businesses and nonprofits with finances that are competitively priced.”
Heydinger believes the PACE program is not only a tool for helping business owners but also a means to revitalize communities. “In Laredo, like every other city in Texas, we don’t have enough power and water to handle the growth of everybody that’s moving here. Plus, we have businesses often in buildings that were constructed a long time ago that are very inefficient,” she said.
For more information on the PACE program, click here.
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