Applicant and Project Eligibility

Individuals, businesses, and institutions that operate within Ohio are eligible to apply for funding.  Applicants must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State and in good standing to do business in Ohio.  Government agencies, city and county governments, individual residential building owners, higher education institutions, K-12 schools, educational career centers, and joint vocational schools are not eligible applicants, subject to a narrow exception for qualifying geothermal projects.  Applicants must demonstrate match funding equal to at least 50% of the total project cost. 

Projects involving energy efficiency improvements to existing multi-family (4-6 units), commercial, and institutional buildings located in Ohio are eligible for funding.  For purposes of this program, proposed energy efficiency improvements must reduce energy usage, and because of the energy use reduction, reduce greenhouse gases and criteria pollutant emissions.  Additionally, eligible projects should demonstrate creation or retention of jobs in the following areas: (1) retrofit or installation hours; (2) new jobs directly created through the project; and (3) retention of existing jobs at the site.  Eligible projects must be capable of being completed within 12 months of the grant award.  Grant funds may be used to pay project engineering costs, equipment costs, and installation costs. 

Energy efficiency measures that qualify for funding include the following:

• 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 (must result in energy efficiency upgrades within the term of the grant agreement)
• Retrofits with Green Energy Techniques
• Above Energy Code Pilot Project

Application Procedures

Applications must be filed in two stages.  First, the applicant must submit a one-page project summary on the http://recovery.ohio.gov website on or before April 23, 2010.  Next, the complete project proposal must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Development no later than April 30, 2010.  ODOD intends to have completed its review of applications and to announce grant awardees around May 28, 2010. 

With the application, each applicant must submit a detailed energy analysis, which includes detailed calculations and engineering and technical assumptions.  All energy baseline and reduction calculations, including code compliance modeling and/or calculated final energy reduction results, must be certified and bear the seal of an engineer or architect licensed in Ohio.   

Additional Program Requirements 

Projects awarded funds under this program must comply with Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act, where applicable.  Additionally, projects involving retrofits to historic buildings must maintain the historic integrity of the building. 

The funds available under this program were allocated to the State of Ohio under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Consequently, projects that receive funding under this program will be subject to federal prevailing-wage laws.