The two big issues in America these days, as far as politics are concerned, are the environment and the economy. Governments at all levels are working their best to make sure the needs of the citizens they represent are taken care of when it comes to these important issues. There are millions of dollars being spent on scientific research and experimental development which is meant to help businesses and individuals leave a smaller ecological footprint. At the same time, many of these projects are providing much needed employment to locations all over the country.

The city of Allentown Pennsylvania is no exception when it comes to governmental roles in the economy and the environment. Working closely with officials at the state and federal levels, our city too has come up with several initiatives designed to improve the economy of the city, increase confidence in the housing market, and also to reduce the harm we as humans do to our planet. Aside from the efficient fleet of septic tank pump trucks which the city runs, there are also initiatives and programs designed to assist at the business and individual levels. One of these programs is the Energy Conservation program.

The purpose of the energy conservation program is exactly what you would think from the title. The municipal government of the city is seeking to make the place a greener location by encouraging the use of less energy by individuals and small businesses. Of course, no one will undergo this type of change on their own, whether it's switching to a new sewage treatment chemical or installing new appliance. So the city hall of Allentown is setting out to encourage people who want to reduce their carbon footprint with cash.

That's right, we said cash. Both home owners and business owners may qualify for rebates as well as low interest loans when they undergo renovations which will make their homes or offices more energy efficient. Businesses stand to reap the most rewards. If they purchase a new machine to place shrink sleeve for packaging, for example, they may receive both a loan with an interest rate of 1.5% and a rebate that could be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Those are pretty significant if you have to replace an old machine anyway!

Dollars and loan terms for individuals are not as significant, but then again individuals probably won't be spending as much on renovations as businesses anyway. Again, loans and rebates are both available. You can apply for the program using the electronic manufacturing created template on the city of Allentown's main website.

If you are a small business or home owner in an Allentown PA zip code about to do some renovations, look into this program. Odds are, you will end up saving a lot of money!