The Ohio Department of Development has announced the availability of $8,000,000 in grant funding for qualifying energy efficiency projects undertaken at existing multi-family, commercial, and institutional buildings. The goal of the program is to encourage the installation of energy efficiency equipment that will measurably improve the energy efficiency of existing multi-family, commercial, and institutional buildings. The program is competitive, and awards will range from $125,000 to $1,000,000 per project. The funds available under this program were originally allocated to Ohio under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Individuals and businesses within Ohio may apply for funding, although government agencies, individual residential building owners and schools are generally not eligible. Applicants must have match funding equal to at least 50% of the total project cost. Additionally, projects should demonstrate job creation or retention through: (1) retrofit or installation hours; (2) new jobs directly created through the project; or (3) retention of existing jobs at the site.
Funds may be used on energy efficiency improvements such as:
· Insulation
· LED Lighting
· Energy Efficient Lighting Technologies
· Efficiency Equipment
· HVAC Upgrades
· Weather Sealing
· ENERGY STAR Appliances
· Replacement of Windows and Doors
· Installation of Geothermal Heat Pumps
· Energy Audits/Commissioning/Retro-commissioning
· Retrofits with Green Energy Techniques
· Above Energy Code Pilot Projects
Applications for funding are filed in two stages. First, the applicant must submit a project summary on the http://recovery.ohio.gov website by April 23, 2010. Next, a complete proposal must be submitted to ODOD by April 30, 2010. Grants are to be announced around May 28, 2010.