We have structured a multi-step application process. Through our online tool, we hope to ask you to provide only that information that allows your project to be considered for advancement to the next review step. We tried to structure the process in such a way that it recognizes the value of your time and resources. Although we intend to give every project the maximum possible consideration, we also want to be quickly straightforward if our process determines a project will not compete successfully in this program.
The flow chart at the right is a simplified representation of the process for seeking funding under the Advanced Energy portion of the Job Stimulus package (HB 554). The entire application process is completed online. OAQDA offers consultation throughout the process to help applicants be as responsive as possible to the goals of the program.
The process begins when an applicant registers and creates a user name and password, and continues with a three-step process: a short letter of intent (LOI) to determine basic eligibility and identify the size and scope of the project, an initial application and a full application.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) will be reviewed to determine initial eligibility for the program.
Following notification from OAQDA that eligibility requirements are satisfied, an application fee of $750 is required to partially defray the cost of the technical review of the proposal. All fees must be submitted as checks made payable to: “Ohio Air Quality Development Authority.” The Proposal Application Fee must be submitted to OAQDA before further information can be submitted to the online application. The application fee is non-refundable whether or not the project is ultimately approved for funding. The check must be accompanied with a copy of the LOI that is signed by someone authorized to legally bind the applicant. An original signature, not a stamp, is required.
Upon receipt of the application fee and the signed LOI, the applicant will be directed to complete Part 1: Initial Application. Part 1 allows a preliminary business, financial and technical evaluation based on the award criteria.
Applicants meeting the overall goals of the program will be invited to complete Part 2: Full Application. More detailed technical and financial data will be requested and face-to-face interviews and possible site visit may occur in this part of the application process.
At every step in the process, the OAQDA review team reserves the right to request additional information. Please note carefully: independent third party validation of a project’s technology and/or business plan will speed the review process. The higher the validation burden on the review teams, the longer the review process will take.
Upon the review team’s recommendation for support, the project will be reviewed by the Development Financing Advisory Council. Both recommendations will then be submitted to the OAQDA for full consideration. Approval by OAQDA is then subject to Controlling Board review.
Consultation
OAQDA will provide consultation to applicants throughout the process to advise on eligibility and discuss the details of the project. The consultation goals are to:
- Keep applicants from spending time on submissions ineligible for award;
- Steer applicants to other sources of public funding, if applicable;
- Help applicants better align eligible submissions with the goals of the award program; and
- Provide applicants access to technical, management resources and capital sources to help improve the success of the projects, if applicable.
Instructions:
- Applicant Profile: First you will provide some basic business identification information (see Note 1).
- Letter of Intent: This form is designed to determine the eligibility of the project and seeks preliminary information about the project (see Notes 1-3).
- Part I: Initial Application – An application fee of $750 is required before this form is submitted. This form seeks information about the project and its benefits to the State. It will require a business plan, financial information and additional project data to complete.
- Part II: Full Application – This form asks for information to conduct a deeper review of the business proposition and submitting organization. It is our current intention to use a modified version of the Ohio Department of Development's On-line Financial Assistance Application for Part 2.
Note 1: At this time, the Applicant Profile and the LOI forms must be completed in one sitting. Please allow enough time to complete - 45 minutes to be safe.
Note 2: We respect the privacy of your data. Proprietary, business confidential information should not be submitted online. It should be submitted in hard copy and an electronic copy on a CD with the confidential information clearly marked. Ohio law does not contemplate designation of an entire proposal as confidential. It is the responsibility of the applicant to precisely and clearly identify information to be held confidential.
Note 3: You will only have to enter data one time as you move through the application stages.