Central CERT funds available for Section 9006 grant writer costs

Release Date: 02/12/2008

Contact CERTs Coordinators
Melissa S. B. Pawlisch and Joel Haskard
University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
411 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 624-2293 and (612) 625-8759
pawl0048@umn.edu and haska004@umn.edu

The Central Region Clean Energy Resource Team (CERT) has allocated part of its regional funds to help cover grant preparation costs for area residents applying for the USDA’s renewable energy and energy efficiency grants. CERT grant assistance funds can cover up to 50% of the grant writer costs with a cap of $600. Projects located in Becker, Otter Tail, Hubbard, Cass, Wadena, Morrison, Crow Wing, Todd, Wilkin, Mille Lacs, and Benton Counties are eligible.

“We know that federal grants can be intimidating and that grant writing fees seem risky when you don’t know if you will get the funding you are trying for,” says Joel Haskard, Co-coordinator of the CERTs program. “We hope that this incentive will spur more folks to take advantage of the USDA energy grants and leverage greater federal dollars for central Minnesota.”

Projects submitted to the USDA after February 14th, 2008, are eligible to participate. Funds are limited and distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

“Once an applicant has submitted an energy grant proposal to the USDA that has been deemed as complete, they can submit a very brief form to CERT staff with their grant writer’s invoice attached, and we will reimburse half the costs up to $600,” says Mr. Haskard.

Grants applications for Section 9006 Renewable Energy Program in Small Wind, Biomass, Solar, Energy Efficiency are due April 15, 2008 and June 15, 2008. Learn more here, or contact Lisa Noty, USDA Rural Development, at Lisa.Noty@mn.usda.gov or 507-373-7960 ext 120.

View release in PDF

The Clean Energy Resource Teams are a joint program of the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Southwest Regional Development Commission, the Minnesota Project, Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the Green Institute. The CERTs program brings together team members from diverse backgrounds including farmers, utility representatives, state and federal government staff, educators and academics, small business owners, members of non-profit and environmental groups as well as individuals interested in energy issues. Together they work to identify and implement community-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state. Major funding is provided by Minnesota Department of Commerce, The Blandin Foundation, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, University of Minnesota Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment, University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, and U.S. Department of Energy.