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Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grants
Overview
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking applications for a new Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grant. As a reimbursement grant, this program will be assisting the food and agriculture industry to ensure compliance with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) wastewater regulations under the Groundwater Discharge Permit Program.
Beginning August 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. EST, applications will be accepted continually until the funding is exhausted. The grant cycle is determined by funding awarded and distributed to approved projects.
Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Informational Webinar Presentation
Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Informational Webinar Recording
An informational webinar will be hosted on April 11, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The link can be found below.
Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Informational Webinar Link to Join
Attend the webinar via phone: 1-248-509-0316 Conference ID: 914 040 953#
Criteria and Eligibility
Criteria
The following criteria will be used to determine the business’ wastewater infrastructure needs. Projects must meet the below requirements for consideration for the grant from a technical standpoint.
- The entity will be obtaining a permit or coming into compliance with EGLE’s Part 31, Groundwater Discharge Permit for food and beverage processing with a focus on fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat, egg, and grain processing.
- The company is in good standing and compliance with the State of Michigan.
- The program is for existing companies.
- Only one proposal per applicant facility location or permit number will be awarded.
- MDARD will monitor applicant funding requests and funding will be allocated based by the Tiered Funding System to ensure companies of all sizes are able to receive funding.
- Companies must be able to cover the full costs of their project, before being reimbursed based upon the tiered funding system.
Eligibility
The grant is open to existing agriculture and food processors located in Michigan who are under an Administrative Consent Order, compliance and enforcement action, or have a Schedule of Compliance found in a Certificate of Coverage or state Groundwater Discharge Permit from EGLE.
Eligible Investments
Eligible wastewater investment costs include:
- Prework – sampling and analysis, site review work,
- Engineering design,
- Installation and labor,
- Equipment,
- Construction materials,
- Land application equipment,
- Business Plan,
- Operation and Maintenance Manual,
- Sampling Analysis Plan,
- Discharge Management Plan,
- Certified Operator Training, and,
- Construction and design – As-Builts stamped by a Professional Engineer (P.E.).
Ineligible Investments
Ineligible wastewater investment costs include:
- Administrative and Consulting Fees
- Bid out documents: the actual receipts are required as proof of purchase/investment.
Milestones
The following milestones will be required by the applicant if grant funds are awarded:
- As-Builts / Basis of Design, stamped by a Professional Engineer (P.E.),
- Issued EGLE Permit / Certificate of Coverage,
- Discharge Management Plan, approved by EGLE,
- Operation and Maintenance Manual, approved by EGLE, and,
- Confirmation of Compliance by EGLE.
Tiered Funding System
Funding for this grant is based upon the daily flow in gallons per day of wastewater and overall project investment. The funding ranges are shown in the tiered table below. A grant to an individual system shall not exceed $2,000,000. This grant will cover 50% of the total eligible investment costs and, if a company is eligible for funding, project milestones listed above must be completed prior to receiving a disbursement of the performance-based grant. Selected companies are required to cover 50% of the total eligible investment costs from other funding sources.
Tier | Daily Flow (Gallons per Day) | Award Range |
---|---|---|
Tier 1 | Up to 750 |
50% of eligible investment |
Tier 2 | 751 to 1,500 |
50% of eligible investment |
Tier 3 | 1,501 to 3,000 |
50% of eligible investment |
Tier 4 | 3,001 to 10,000 |
50% of eligible investment |
Tier 5 | 10,001 to 20,000 |
50% of eligible investment |
Tier 6 | 20,001 and over |
50% of eligible investment |
Application and Submission Process
Interested applicants may complete the online Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Pre-Qualification Form. This form will be used to determine a company and project’s eligibility for grant funding. Companies will be notified of eligibility and, if eligible, will be provided instructions via email, from MDARD-WIF@Michigan.gov, to complete a full application.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Eligibility, Applying, and Timelines
How do I know my company is eligible to participate in the program?
The grant is open to agriculture and food processors located in Michigan who are under an Administrative Consent Order, Compliance and Enforcement Action, or have a Schedule of Compliance found in a Certificate of Coverage or state Groundwater Discharge Permit from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). This information is verified through EGLE and MiEnviro.Additionally, the company must be in good standing and in compliance with MDARD. This information is verified through all MDARD divisions.
How do I apply for the program?
The Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Pre-Qualification Form is available above in the Application and Submission Process section. Once a pre-qualification form has been received and reviewed, an email from MDARD-WIF@Michigan.gov will be sent with questions and/or next steps, which may include a full application form to complete. The program cycle is determined by funding allocations awarded to each project based on pre-qualification and application acceptance until funds are exhausted.What documentation do I need to provide to be qualified for the program?
The Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Pre-Qualification Form will ask for the following:- Applicant should have an EGLE required Schedule of Compliance to upgrade the wastewater treatment, included in an Administrative Consent Order number, Compliance and Enforcement Action, Certificate of Coverage, or State Groundwater Discharge Permit from EGLE,
- EGLE Wastewater Permit Number or EGLE-Water Resources Division (WRD) Water Quality Compliance and Enforcement Action Number,
- Project Location,
- Project Purpose and Description,
- Impact on Michigan’s Food and Agriculture Industry,
- Has funding/financing been secured for the project,
- Wastewater Daily Flow Gallons Per Day, and,
- Estimated Investment/Budget Outline.
Can you provide a list of the questions on the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Pre-Qualification Form?
Here is an overview of the questions are asked in the pre-qualification form:- Company and Contact Information
- Project Overview:
- Applicant should have an EGLE required Schedule of Compliance to upgrade the wastewater treatment, included in an Administrative Consent Order number, Compliance and Enforcement Action, Certificate of Coverage, or State Groundwater Discharge Permit from EGLE
- EGLE Wastewater Permit Number or EGLE-Water Resources Division (WRD) Water Quality Compliance and Enforcement Action Number
- Project Location
- Project Purpose and Description
- Scope of Wastewater Project - Provide a concise description of the project and its impact on the company’s growth, market access, employees, etc. The description should answer the following questions:
- What is the project?
- What is the purpose/need for completing this project?
- Scope of Wastewater Project - Provide a concise description of the project and its impact on the company’s growth, market access, employees, etc. The description should answer the following questions:
- Impact on Michigan’s Food and Agriculture Industry
- Describe and quantify the before and after project impacts on the food and agriculture supply chain including buyers, suppliers, the surrounding community, and other cascading impacts.
- Supplemental Information:
- Have the following been secured for the project?
- Funding/financing
- Professional engineering firm
- Contractor bids
- Wastewater Daily Flow Gallons Per Day
- Estimated Investment/Budget Outline
- Have the following been secured for the project?
Are we eligible for the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grant if we have a wastewater discharge permit with our local city or municipality and do not have a current or pending EGLE Groundwater Discharge permit?
For the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grant Program, a company is required to be obtaining a permit or coming into compliance with EGLE's Part 31, Groundwater Discharge Permit for food and beverage processing. If a company has a wastewater discharge permit with its local city or municipality it does not meet this requirement and is currently ineligible to move forward with the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grant Program.What are the items I will need to provide throughout the process if I receive funding?
If grant funds are awarded, a grantee is required to meet and provide documentation on the milestones listed above.Is there an application period for the grant?
There is no specific deadline to apply for the grant as it is an ongoing enrollment until all allocated funds are utilized.When will we hear back from MDARD regarding the status of our pre-qualification?
Companies that submit completed pre-qualification forms will be notified about eligibility and next steps in the process 1-2 months from when the pre-qualification form was submitted.When is the deadline for the grant applications?
The application will remain open until all the funding has been distributed. Note: Only one proposal per applicant facility location or permit number will be considered for funding. -
Funding and Investment Reimbursements
How much money will I receive?
The amount of funding you may be awarded will be based on the above Tiered Funding System. MDARD will monitor applicant funding requests and funding allocated will be based by the Tiered Funding System to ensure companies of all sizes are able to receive funding.How are the awarded amounts determined?
Grant awards are determined by the above Tiered Funding System, from Tier 1 to Tier 6, and will be based off Daily Flow in Gallons Per Day of the water system. This tiered system helps to determine the appropriate amount of funding to be awarded to each project.What can I use the grant money for if I receive funding?
Eligible wastewater investment costs may be found in the Eligible Investments section above. This is a cost-reimbursement grant, meaning the cost is first covered by the company and then eligible for reimbursement through awarded grant funding.What can I not use the grant money for if I receive funding?
Ineligible wastewater investment costs may be found in the Ineligible Investments section above.We have already purchased some items for wastewater upgrades but have not yet installed these items. Would previous expenditures be eligible for this program?
If approved for WIF funding, previous expenditures for a wastewater project are eligible if they were incurred on or after February 1, 2023.
Additional Information
For more information about this funding opportunity, please contact the Agriculture Development Division at MDARD-WIF@Michigan.gov.