Cook County BRITE Program Grant for Small Businesses Reducing Environmental Impact – $10 Million Fund

Grant Overview

Cook County’s $10M Environmental Grant Program for Sustainable Business Operations

Donor: Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES)

About: The Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) Program represents a groundbreaking initiative by Cook County to help small businesses in suburban areas transform their operations into more environmentally sustainable models. With a substantial allocation of $10 million in funding, this program specifically targets businesses in five key sectors: dry cleaning facilities, auto body or repair shops, metal finishers, metal fabricators, and food and beverage manufacturers.

The BRITE program takes a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability by offering completely free on-site environmental assessments conducted by specialized environmental experts. These assessments identify practical opportunities for businesses to reduce pollution, minimize environmental impact, increase operational efficiency, and create healthier environments for employees, customers, and the surrounding community. What makes this program particularly valuable is the combination of expert guidance with substantial financial support to implement the recommended improvements.

The program follows a carefully structured six-step process designed to maximize impact and ensure successful implementation. First, businesses sign up for participation and schedule an assessment through a simple interest survey available in English, Spanish, or Korean. Next, they complete pre-assessment requirements including facility registration and signing a Right of Entry agreement. The third step involves an on-site assessment by an environmental specialist who conducts a thorough walk-through using a comprehensive checklist to evaluate current practices and identify improvement opportunities. In some cases, additional specialized assessments may be arranged at no cost to the business.

Following the assessment, the environmental specialist compiles an easy-to-understand final report outlining all recommendations, including potential costs and cost savings associated with each suggestion. Business owners then have the freedom to select which recommendations they wish to implement, knowing that grant funding is available to support these improvements. This collaborative approach ensures that businesses maintain control over their participation while benefiting from expert guidance and financial support.

The BRITE program is particularly valuable for small businesses that experienced negative economic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify for grant funding, businesses must have been in operation prior to January 1, 2020, employ no more than 500 full-time workers, and demonstrate revenue loss due to the pandemic. Additionally, participants must attend three sustainability and grant administration training sessions hosted by DES and the Chicago Urban League, ensuring they have the knowledge needed to maximize program benefits.

What sets the BRITE program apart from other environmental initiatives is its focus on creating multiple wins – environmental benefits, cost savings for businesses, modernization of operations, and improved health conditions for employees and communities. The program recognizes that environmental sustainability and business success can be complementary goals rather than competing priorities. By offering both expert assessment and financial support for implementation, BRITE removes significant barriers that often prevent small businesses from investing in sustainability improvements.

At Grantaura, we specialize in helping businesses like yours navigate grant opportunities such as the BRITE program. Our team of grant experts can assist with every aspect of the application process, from determining eligibility and preparing documentation to developing strong implementation plans that maximize your chances of securing funding. With our expertise in environmental grant programs and 300+ successful projects, we can help your business leverage this opportunity to transform operations while reducing environmental impact. Contact us today to learn how we can support your BRITE program application and connect you with other complementary funding opportunities.

Focus: Environmental sustainability, pollution reduction, energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste reduction, business modernization, sustainable operations, employee health, community health, COVID-19 recovery

Region: Suburban Cook County, Illinois, United States

Eligibility:
-Must be located in suburban Cook County, Illinois
-Must be one of the following types of businesses:
–Dry cleaning facility
–Auto body shop
–Auto repair shop
–Metal finisher
–Metal fabricator
–Food and beverage manufacturer
-For grant eligibility, businesses must also:
–Have no more than 500 full-time employees
–Have been in operation prior to January 1, 2020
–Demonstrate negative economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic through proof of revenue loss
–Attend three required training sessions on sustainability and grant administration hosted by DES and the Chicago Urban League
–Sign a beneficiary agreement with Cook County outlining grant usage requirements

Benefits:
-Free comprehensive environmental assessment
-No-cost specialized environmental assessments as needed (energy, water, etc.)
-Access to grant funding for implementing recommended improvements
-Expert consultation on selecting and implementing sustainability measures
-Potential for significant operational cost savings through efficiency improvements
-Healthier work environment for employees
-Reduced environmental impact
-Modernized business operations
-Connection to additional funding opportunities and rebate programs

Deadline: Open until funds are exhausted

Terms:
-BRITE: Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment, a Cook County program providing environmental assessments and grant funding to help small businesses reduce pollution and environmental impact while improving operational efficiency
-DES: Department of Environment and Sustainability, the Cook County agency that administers the BRITE program
-Right of Entry agreement: A legal document that grants permission for environmental specialists to enter and assess a business property
-C-PACE Program: Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, a financing mechanism that helps property owners fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements
-Environmental assessment: A systematic evaluation of a business’s practices, equipment, and facilities to identify opportunities for reducing environmental impact and improving efficiency