Access Plus Capital recognizes the rapidly changing climate caused largely by human activity. The repercussions of climate change have been felt across the world and close to home. From frequent wildfires to an increasing number of extreme heat days and unhealthy air quality days, the impact of climate change does not just affect nature and landscapes, it affects people in our communities and can severely impact health and quality of life.
Access Plus Capital started as a loan fund for Southeast Asian farmers in the late 1990’s and then grew to mission driven lender that serves the gaps left by banks and other traditional financial institutions. From our inception to the current day, our clients have not been able to be financed elsewhere, have difficulty accessing capital, and endure barriers to success. Our vision to create a system where capital is no longer a barrier to success in central California includes serving the communities at the forefront of climate change.
Our 15 county service area is diverse in geography and industry: from Fresno, the heart of agricultural production in California, to Visalia, the gateway to the sequoias, and to Sacramento, our state capital, our service area includes vibrant communities that are all unique, but also face similar challenges because of climate change. They face the brunt of climate change and are at risk of being negatively affected. They are impacted by drought, wildfires, poor air quality from wildfires and vehicle emissions, and more. We stand with the communities affected by climate change and the small businesses that must respond accordingly for the survival of their businesses and livelihood. To serve our clients who have the most to lose to climate change, Access Plus Capital has strengthened its sustainability efforts with dedicated staffing to contribute to sustainability measures and green lending.
Access Plus Capital’s future is now more focused on climate and green lending, driven by a combination of efforts promoting sustainability and economic growth across the nation. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 by the Biden-Harris administration, its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund provisions have accelerated the nationwide capacity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a major cause of climate change. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) is a once in a generation investment in the nation’s economy and a historic investment in climate change mitigation. In response to the GGRF, there has been a rapidly growing network of nonprofits, CDFIs, and industry partners preparing to deploy the capital offered in the GGRF to communities. Access Plus Capital is positioned to offer green loan products thanks to the support of a LISC EMC AmeriCorps member specializing in Climate and Green Lending, as well as an ecosystem of capacity building offered by the Milken Institute, Elemental Impact, and Banyan Infrastructure.
With the addition of a Climate and Green Lending Specialist and an organization wide shift to focus on green lending, we have been able to establish deeper ties with organizations engaged in climate financing infrastructure, public officials, lawmakers with the ability to shape policy, and the community at the forefront of climate change. Our capacity to protect the environment has grown as has our understanding of our community’s needs. As our focus has shifted to green lending, we have been engaged with the public, attending public forums to hear from residents, attending industry events to stay informed, and speaking at local conferences. Our engagements are a two-way street, as we are building our capacity to teach our clients, we are learning from those with expertise and lived experiences that will support our ability to serve clients and communities. Through these discussions, we have seen the difficulty for people and small businesses to adopt innovative technologies, especially those that are sustainable.
As a nonprofit mission driven lender, Access Plus Capital will be offering a suite of climate and green loans. Our first green loan, the Green Futures loan, is designed for small businesses who find value in potentially saving money and protecting the environment. The Green Futures loan will fund energy efficiency efforts and retrofits that promote energy efficiency. By focusing on reducing wasted energy, we expect cost savings for many clients, a reduced burden on the power grid, and thus reduced emissions from the greenhouse gases that fuel conventional electricity production. Products that can be financed under this loan program include HVAC units, LED lighting, Energy Star equipment, cool roofs, and associated soft and other cost and measures.
Access Plus Capital will be more than a lender. We will be a partner for small businesses to finance their sustainable projects and provide assistance necessary to support their businesses. What sets us apart from a bank or conventional lender is our dedication to supporting small businesses beyond signing for a loan. Our staff can provide the necessary technical assistance and business services support to help your small business thrive at no added cost to you.
Our dedication to sustainability and ensuring our clients can be ahead of the game in sustainable technology adoption is rooted in our commitment to both. We serve our clients oftentimes as their last chance to access capital and our approach has always been to holistically support their business endeavors. We focus on their success and ability to grow. The Green Futures loan and following green loan products aim to support clients’ success and promote a cleaner Central California where our livelihoods are at stake because of climate change. Together with our clients, we can take on climate change in a manner that supports the longevity of their small businesses.