Here
are some grant and loan programs that we're familiar with that
you may be able to take advantage of. It's by no means an exhaustive
list and we hope that you will contact
us to find out more.
Empire
State Development's Environmental Services Unit (ESU) provides
grants to help qualified businesses improve their environmental
performance. Under the Environmental Investment Program (EIP),
New York State invests in projects that lead to the reuse or
recycling of materials otherwise destined for disposal, and pollution
prevention projects that lead to reductions in the volume or
toxicity of waste before it is generated.
The
EIP invests in projects that produce measurable and verifiable
economic development and environmental results. These include
increased productivity and competitiveness, job creation, job
retention, recycling capacity, and pollution prevention. Projects
should enable New York State businesses to capture the economic
benefits resulting from environmental improvements implemented
at their facilities.
EIP
awards funds to qualified New York businesses, non-profit organizations
and municipalities on behalf of businesses. Applications are
reviewed on a competitive basis and applicants must be in compliance
with environmental regulations at the time of award. ESU accepts
applications continuously throughout the year and awards are
made approximately five times a year.
The
following is a brief overview of the three funding categories:
Capital
Projects - ESU will invest up to 50% of the eligible project
costs, up to a maximum of $500,000. Eligible costs include:
physical assets (land, buildings, machinery & equipment,
etc.); improvements, alterations, or repair to real property
owned by the applicant (site prep, demolition, infrastructure);
and consulting engineering costs related directly to the project.
Research
Development & Demonstration Projects - ESU can invest
up to 80% of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $200,000.
ESU is not looking for basic research, and prefers projects
that have high promise for leading directly to commercialization
or use. Typically R&D funds are used for consulting services,
analytical expenses, and leasing equipment (to determine if
it is appropriate).
Technical
Assistance Projects - Technical assistance projects are
those in which NYS non-profit organizations or municipalities
directly assist New York State businesses and institutions
to achieve pollution prevention, reuse or recycling results.
Empire
State Development provides assistance in identifying, developing,
and implementing improved management and production processes
to enhance efficiency, expand market share, and promote job growth
through Industrial Effectiveness Grants. Up to $60,000 can be
used to hire consultants to provide the following services:
-
organizational
and technical needs assessments
-
product
design and development
-
manufacturing
process and quality improvement
-
market
expansion and product commercialization
-
information
systems upgrades
-
supplier
development projects
-
project
management
-
technical
awareness seminars
-
assistance
with environmental and other regulatory requirements
Companies
are selected based on demonstrated need, company size (companies
must be small- or medium-sized), willingness to share costs and
contribute resources, involvement of employees, and commitment
to self-improvement. A company must first undergo an initial
assessment, which can be accomplished using CITEC's
Competitive Assessment.
The
U.S. Department of Commerce provides a Trade Adjustment Assistance
program that will fund up to 75% of consulting costs to make
companies that have been hurt by foreign competition more competitive.
Companies must be able to prove that they have had a decline
in sales and employment. Once approval has been obtained (which
may take up to 12 months), assistance is provided to solicit
bids from consultants to provide an array of services including
manufacturing assistance, marketing assistance, financial & general
management assistance, and information technology assistance.
The
Governor's Office for Small Cities, Empire State Development
Corporation, and the Department of Agriculture and Markets provide
$3 million to increasing the demand for and expanding the use
of New York's agriculture and forest products. Funded activities
should result in the creation or retention of job opportunities
for low- and moderate-income persons. Emerging or expanding businesses
that are focused on producing, processing, marketing, or expanding
New York produced agricultural products are eligible to receiving
funding for up to 40% of total project costs. Financing of machinery
and equipment, building construction, working capital, or real
property acquisition are all eligible uses. Business development
and marketing assistance is available along with financing for
project development costs. The State has set a general maximum
funding limit of $750,000 per community with a $100,000 application
minimum for projects. Projects are generally expected to result
in the creation or retention of at least one full-time equivalent
job per $15,000 of funds provided.
The
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
provides rebates for purchasing and installing energy-efficient
equipment such as: high-efficiency equipment for lighting; premium-efficiency
motors; heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment;
and low voltage dry-type transformers.
NYSERDA
provides interest rate reductions of 4.5% for up to five years
on loans from participating lenders for energy efficiency improvements
and renewable technologies.
For
more information on any of these programs, contact Anne
Simmons.
