Access to capital for clean energy contractors
Contractor Access to Capital (CAC) helps small and medium contractors build financial readiness, connect with trusted lending and support partners, and grow in clean energy and energy efficiency work. Led by Walker-Miller Energy Services on behalf of Ameren Illinois, CAC is designed to reduce barriers that can make it hard for contractors to secure financing and expand their businesses.
Why It Matters
Financial Readiness
We help you navigate financing and certifications to build a stronger foundation for your business.
Expert Coaching
Access practical support through one-on-one coaching and tailored training programs.
Trusted Partnerships
Get introduced to lending and support partners that help you grow in clean energy work.
How It Works
Interest Form
Complete the interest form to tell us about your business.
Pre-Screen
Complete a pre-screen assessment to determine eligibility.
Readiness Support
Receive readiness support and coaching.
Connect
Connect with lending and wraparound partners.
Ready to get started?
Complete the interest form to tell us about your business and learn whether CAC may be a fit.
Get Started Now
For Contractors
Contractor Access to Capital (CAC) is designed for small and medium contractors in the Ameren Illinois service territory who are pursuing clean energy and energy efficiency work and are looking for support to grow. Through CAC, participants can strengthen financing readiness, build back-office capacity, navigate certification and application requirements, and receive guidance on business growth.
The experience includes video training, one-on-one coaching, and introductions to vetted lending and non-lending partners that can support capital access and long-term readiness. As part of the pre-screen process, the CAC looks at factors such as service territory, business ownership, readiness to scale, and overall fit for the program.
To get started, complete the interest form or talk to the CAC team to learn more.
How It Works
The CAC is designed to move contractors from initial interest to practical next steps through a structured, tiered approach that matches support to each business’s readiness and goals. The process starts when a contractor completes the interest form, followed by a pre-screen to confirm basic fit and identify needs. From there, participants may receive readiness support such as financing preparation, back-office and business process support, certification navigation, and one-on-one coaching before being introduced to lending and wraparound partners.
Ameren Illinois sponsors the program, Walker-Miller administers intake, coordination, and coaching, lending partners make their own underwriting and financing decisions, and wraparound partners provide technical assistance and business support. Because financing timelines can vary based on readiness, documentation, partner requirements, and the type of opportunity being pursued, CAC helps contractors prepare for a process that may take time. With participant consent, certain business information may be shared with relevant partners only as needed to support referrals, evaluate fit, coordinate services, and help track outcomes over time.
Current Partnerships
The Contractor Access to Capital proudly partners with local and statewide banks, Community Development Financial Institutions, and green banks. In addition to lending partners, The CAC connects contractors with non-lending support organizations, including legal services, workforce development partners, and accounting and bookkeeping support.
Some of our partnerships include:
Frequently Asked Questions
The CAC is a program designed to help small and medium-sized clean energy contractors in the Ameren Illinois service territory build financial readiness and connect with lending partners.
Eligibility is primarily based on service territory, business ownership, and readiness to scale within the clean energy and energy efficiency sectors.
Participants receive video training, one-on-one coaching, back-office capacity building, and introductions to vetted lending and non-lending partners.
Ameren Illinois sponsors the program, providing these resources to eligible contractors to support growth in the energy efficiency workforce.