The Appalachian Regional Commission is launching a grants competition to assist communities in leveraging renewable energy and energy efficiency resources to revitalize their economies.
The Commission expects to fund 8-10 awards of up to $75,000 each, for a total of $400,000 in awards, to help communities implement these strategies.
Eligible projects should result in the creation of new jobs or businesses in the target communities.
Outcomes could include:
-Production and use of renewable energy products, such as biofuels, biomass, solar, or wind energy, including siting of these facilities and net metering applications.
-Distribution of renewable energy products, including customer purchasing commitments.
-Expansion or start-up of clean energy businesses, including support for business incubation programs and targeted business financing programs
-New construction or facilities renovations that follow ‘green building’ and LEED certified guidelines.
-Installation of energy efficiency equipment in public or non-profit facilities that is 2005 Energy Policy Act Tax Credit eligible, directly results in cost savings, and leads to increased delivery of services to local communities.
Non-profit organizations, governmental entities, and public educational institutions located within the ARC Region are eligible to apply. Private for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.
An independent review panel will be convened to evaluate submissions. This panel will include leading energy efficiency and renewable energy organizations, federal, state and local partners. The review panel will forward recommendations to ARC for final approval.
Applications will be evaluated on several criteria, including:
-Feasibility of proposal and likelihood of achieving proposed outcomes.
-Capability of applicant, including expertise in relevant program areas, grants management, and community development.
-Level of community support, including overall level of match and private sector match.
-Articulation of clear, measurable outcomes.
-Sustainability of effort, including ability to continue the activity at the conclusion of grant period.
Additional consideration will be provided for projects focusing on ARC designated distressed counties and areas and for projects involving multi-state collaboration.
The Appalachian Regional Commission will also be holding regional workshops on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Updated information on dates and location of these workshops will be posted to the ARC website at www.arc.gov/energy.
Deadline for receipt of responses is June 30, 2007. Selections will be announced on July 31, 2007. See website:
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