From: Lance Gaebe, State Land Commissioner Date: September 12, 2011 Re: 2011 Energy Impact Grant Program
On behalf of the State Land Board, we want to make you aware that the Energy Impact Office is accepting grant applications for the second grant round of the 2011-2013 biennium. The Land Board will continue to award quarterly energy impact grants, based on the guidance of an advisory committee appointed to represent western North Dakota communities, counties and political subdivisions. The Energy Impact Office has approximately $6 million available for the three remaining grant rounds in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012.
The Energy Impact Office will be accepting grant applications from townships until October 14, 2011.
The priority for this grant round is on township road and other small political subdivision transportation and street projects needed in response to energy activity. When applying for a grant during the current grant round, please identify specific projects or problems that need funding. General requests for "maintenance" or "gravel" will be given less consideration than specific requests.
While townships are the priority for the current Energy Impact grant round, they are encouraged to also apply for funding from county infrastructure formula funds, as well as from cost-share through the Department of Transportation fund authorized by the 2011 legislature.
The Energy Impact Office along with the advisory committee will schedule area meetings to ensure all applicants have the opportunity to present and discuss their infrastructure needs. After applying you will be contacted regarding the meeting arrangements. Scheduling of the meetings for the regional visits will be made available on the energy impact website www.nd.gov/energyimpact
The Energy Impact Office grant rating system includes: objective; project readiness; result of energy activity; relating to health and safety; and budget.
The application form and lists of required supporting documentation are available on a North Dakota Energy Impact Grant web page www.nd.gov/energyimpact. This internet site contains a PDF form that can be printed and filled in; or a MS Word version of the application form that can be completed on-screen. Please seek the assistance of a library, school or extension office if you do not have computer and internet access to retrieve this information.
Completed applications and supporting materials can be mailed to our office at the Land Department address or e-mailed to energyimpact@nd.gov.
Grant applications will be reviewed by this office and the advisory committee upon receipt, with the Land Board determining the second round of grant awards sometime in October 2011.
Although grant awards are expected to be approved soon, the funds will not be disbursed to grant recipients until projects are substantially complete and cash is available in the fund. With multiple awards from a fund that only began to accumulate in July, anticipate delays of disbursements. Managing short-term financing of cash flows for projects is something that you will need to consider.
If you are not applying for a grant in this round, but wish to be notified of Energy Impact Office announcements, please mail or e-mail us your contact information.
