Green Business Financial Assistance

Los Angeles County Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ)

The City of Commerce participates in State of California's RMDZ (Recycling Market Development Zone) Program administered through the County of Los Angeles to offer qualifying businesses up to $2 million in low interest rate loans. The RMDZ provides financial, marketing, and technical assistance and can be used to purchase equipment and/or real estate, working capital, and debt financing. To qualify, your business must manufacture a recycled-content product or process a qualifying material for recycling. Qualifying materials may consist of paper, plastic, glass, greenwaste, tires or construction debris.

Call (626) 458-2516, Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. for more information or visit LA County RMDZ.

Please also visit CalRecycle for more RMDZ related information.

Manufacturing Equipment Sales Tax Exemption

Sale and Use of Manufacturing Equipment

A new sales tax exemption for the sale and use of manufacturing equipment — recycled-content manufacturing is included!

Overview of the Law

A new law beginning on July 1, 2014 allows manufacturers and certain research and developers, and beginning January 1, 2018, certain electric power generators and distributors, to obtain a partial exemption of sales and use tax on the purchase or lease of qualified machinery and equipment primarily used in manufacturing,  research and development, and electric power generation or production, storage or distribution. To be eligible under this law, you must meet all three of these conditions:

• Be primarily engaged in certain types of business, also known as a “qualified person.”
• Purchase “qualified tangible personal property.”
• Use that qualified tangible personal property in a qualified manner

For more information visit:  California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

Energy Savings

Transform energy into profits by going green.

For more information on green products, buildings and plants, tax credits, appliance rebates, and recycling, visit:

• Energy Star (Federal)
• Edison (Southern California)
• Gas Co. (Southern California)
• Flex Alert (California Independent System Operator)
• Dsire (North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center)
• EPA Climate Change Research Grants (State)

Water Conservation

Save Water, Save Energy, Save Money

To find water efficient products such as showerheads, toilets, urinals, sink faucets, irrigation controls, and rebates, visit:

• EPA Water Sense (State)
• Energy Star (Federal)
• MWD Save A Buck (Southern California)

Fleet Resources

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers a website of information on products and services that reduce transportation-related emissions.

To find out how to buy a SmartWay vehicle or join the SmartWay Transport Partnership, which provides financing, technology solutions, and national recognition for your fleet, visit EPA Smartway.

Waste Recycling

The City of Commerce encourages its businesses to reduce waste and recycle.

For more information on recycling services, contact your waste hauler or the City's Environmental Services Division to obtain a list of licensed haulers and/or recyclers at (323) 722-4805, ext. 2812.

Businesses can earn national recognition by joining EPA Wastewise.

Trainings & Workshops

Take advantage of the following free resources for businesses to learn more about saving money and the environment:

Southern California Gas Company's Resource Center
9240 Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA 90241
(800) 427-6584 Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Southern California Edison Company's CTAC Energy Center
6090 N. Irwindale Ave., Irwindale, CA 91702
(800) 336-2822 Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Environmental Protection Agency
Offers webinars on sustainable materials management and climate and energy opportunities.
EPA Climate and Energy Resources
EPA Sustainable Materials Management Web Academy