The Business Pollution Prevention Program is focused on helping Ramsey and Washington county businesses that utilize chemicals containing or producing perchloroethylene (PERC) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including some dry cleaners, auto body shops, industrial painters and printers.
Donor Name: Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy
State: Minnesota
Counties: Ramsey County (MN), Washington County (MN)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/31/2022
Size of the Grant: $50,000
Details:
This program is funded by Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy and administered by Environmental Initiative.
The goal of the program
- To reduce the use of harmful chemicals and related technologies in Ramsey and Washington County businesses to protect the health of workers and neighboring communities while also reducing environmental impacts. Key pollutants this program seeks to reduce or eliminate include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Perchloroethylene (PERC), trichloroethylene (TCE), ground level ozone precursors, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
- The first stage of this program targets businesses that use PERC and/or emit VOCs.
Benefits
- Financial support for up to 75% of project costs, up to $50,000
- Free assistance in identifying additional funding sources for projects
- Free training and technical assistance to assess and implement alternative equipment and processes
- Potential to improve indoor air quality, and reduce potential health risks to employees and customers
- Potential to reduce harmful emissions and negative impact on the environment and on neighboring residents particularly vulnerable to the impacts of pollution
- Option to switch to more advanced and cost-effective technology that is more energy and water efficient, and more reliable. Potential for reduced fees for hazardous waste disposal
- Promotional and community relationship advantages for using greener practices
Funding Information
Maximum R&E grant amount for one project will be capped at $50,000.
Types of projects can be funded?
BPP will provide funding for projects that greatly reduce or eliminate the presence of the targeted pollutant(s). Eligible expenses for the program include:
- Testing and analysis
- Equipment costs
- Installation, including contractor materials and labor
- Essential staff training on new equipment/processes
- Commissioning of new equipment
- Decommissioning of old equipment
- Other R&E-approved expenses required for project success
Only costs incurred after signing a grant award contract are eligible for reimbursement
Eligibility Criteria
Businesses owned by people of color and/or located in communities particularly vulnerable to the impacts of pollution are encouraged to apply.
- Private sector (non-governmental) business operations located in Ramsey County or Washington County
- Businesses that use or emit targeted chemicals/pollutants , such as dry cleaners, auto body shops, industrial painters, and printers.
- Businesses substantially in compliance with local, state and federal hazardous waste and other environmental regulations as determined by Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E). (Businesses that may be brought into compliance by this program may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
For more information, visit Business Pollution Prevention Program.
