In today’s commercial financing atmosphere, more and more funding sources are requiring that any project that they finance be Green or Humanitarian in nature. It doesn’t matter if the project is located in the United States or in another country, it must meet one of these two guidelines and in some cases both. 

We are asked quite often, “What do we need to do to make our project qualify”? 

To answer this question are a few ideas which we have seen previous projects utilize in order to be considered a “Green” project. 

• Using an open-plan office space that is extensively illuminated using sunlight. This is done by having the electric lighting automatically dimmed or shut off when daylight is sufficient.
• Using appliances or equipment which is “Energy Star” rated.
• Allow the office windows to be opened to allow for natural ventilation and have live plants through the office space.
• During construction only allow the builders to use adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpeting and furniture that have low chemical emissions.
• Utilize older “used” furniture to furnish the office. You may even have some of these items refurbished.
• Build the office with movable interior walls to accommodate the future needs of expanding work areas. This will prevent the need to teardown and rebuild new walls.
• In the restrooms use water free urinals, low-flow faucets or micro-hydro-powered electric-eye faucets. Use blow dryers instead of paper towels to dry hands.
• Where Natural Light is not possible, use low-voltage lighting
• Build the parking area underground below the offices to cut back on the “urban areas heat-island effect”.
• The exclusive use of “green” cleaning products.
• Plant shad producing trees in close proximity to the building to create shade.
• Have the planting around the building be local foliage which is conducive t the local environment and does not require excess watering.
• Use building materials and office furniture & supplies that are readily available in the geographical area, within 500 miles.
• Install Solar heated Water Heaters
• Recycle the water for irrigation purposes
• Use building materials which qualify as “Green”. One example would be the products produced by “Composite Building Structures, Ltd.”. These can be found at http://www.cbs-homes.com/
• Use recycled building materials for the new structure.
• For Hotels … They have a system which utilized the “room card” for each room. When a customer checks in they are issued their “key”, the room card. When they enter their room they take the card out of the door and insert it into a devise on the wall (much like they did in the door). As long as they are in the hotel room and the card is in the devise then all the electrical outlets and lights work. Once they leave their room, they remove the card and everything turns off except for one outlet. This one “live” outlet is used to recharge their cell phone or power their computer. The hotels which have utilized this system are seeing a 26% decrease in electrical usage for the whole complex. 

These are just a few items which individually may not make a lot of a difference but when used in combination can save a lot of electricity and qualify a building as being “green”. Plus you are helping nature and preserving yours and other people’s health. 

International Financing Solutions has direct access to the Investment Group which lends on Green or Humanitarian Projects anywhere in the World. 

Here is a short list of the project types which can be financed:
(Must have a Green or Humanitarian component)
 

• Resorts                                                  * Wind Power Plants
• Hotels                                                    * Hydro Electric Power Plants
• Condo Hotels                                         * Tidal Power Plants
• Residential Developments                      * Fuel Terminals
• Condominium Complexes                      * Urbanizations for Cities / Towns
• Multi-Family project                              * Schools, Universities
• Office Building                                       * Marinas
• Virtually any type of project imaginable EXCEPT for Casinos

For a complete list of guidelines to qualify for this financing program or any other programs which we offer, please give us a call or send an e-mail. We are available 7 days a week to answer your questions.