COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Energy Resources Division is accepting applications for $10 million in funding available through the Deploying Renewable Energy: Transforming Waste to Value grant program.
Federal program
The grant program is part of $96 million allocated to Ohio through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Program.
Transforming Waste to Value seeks eligible applicants that will create jobs through projects that convert feedstocks — such as municipal solid wastes, food and farm wastes, or other biomass or waste materials — to electricity, heat, fuel or other bio products.
Building demand
The state aims to build the market demand for Ohio manufacturers and distributors of bio digester components, biomass or waste conversion equipment, and electric generation equipment.
Awards will be selected through a competitive process and will range from $500,000-$1 million.
All eligible projects must be located within Ohio, include a match investment of a minimum of 25 percent of the total cost of the project, be completed within 12 months, and provide a direct economic impact to Ohio by creating and retaining jobs.
Projects that include a cooperative component with an energy provider, a coordinated effort to utilize local feedstock or other innovative approaches in utilizing waste streams will be given additional consideration.
Contacts
A bidders’ conference is scheduled in Columbus July 19 from 10 a.m.-noon.
Registration is required by e-mail at Recovery.Stickel@em.ohio.gov. For more information about the Transforming Waste to Value grant program and requirements, visit www.development.ohio.gov/recovery/energy/FundingOpportunities.htm.
Application deadline is Aug. 23.
