About $2.7 million in stimulus funding will be allocated through an energy efficiency and conservation block grant to help make Boston homes and small businesses energy efficient.

The funding allocates almost $1.8 million to target energy-efficient improvements for homeowners within 60 percent to 120 percent of Massachusetts state median income and $990,000 for businesses that lease or own their facility. Both of these populations have been identified as underserved by traditional federal and utility-sponsored energy efficiency programs.

"Boston has consistently been ranked among the nation’s top green cities and this grant provides another opportunity to help our residents and businesses become more energy efficient," said Mayor Thomas Menino. "These funds will make it easier for Boston homeowners and small businesses to reduce their energy costs and provide long-term benefits to the environment and our local economy."

The renew Boston energy retrofit program for existing homes will leverage existing utility weatherization programs under MassSAVE and federal tax credits to provide retrofits to Boston homeowners. The grant for small businesses will pay up to 70 percent of the cost of the installation of energy-efficient equipment and the recipient will set up a fund distribution program to cover all or part of the remaining 30 percent of the cost of the energy retrofit.

All project proposals must be received at the Office on Environmental and Energy Services, Room 603, Boston City Hall, Boston, Mass. on or before 4 p.m. on March 15.