Indiana Recycling Market Development Program Calls for Pre-Proposals

The Indiana Department of Commerce Energy Policy Division (Recycling Market Development Program) has announced deadlines for its loan and grant program encouraging waste reduction and the use of recycled feedstock.

Applications for grants begin with pre-proposal letters, which are due October 25, 2002, for the upcoming round of funding. Pre-proposals found to be eligible for the fund will receive an application that is to be submitted by December 6, 2002.

Financial assistance from the Recycling Market Development Board includes:

• Recycling Promotion and Assistance Fund (RPAF) Loan Program – A zero-percent interest loan for the purchase of equipment to manufacture a recycled-content product or to prepare material for use as industrial feedstock. Indiana business or businesses expanding or relocating in Indiana are eligible. The maximum loan per applicant is $500,000, not to exceed 50 percent of eligible project costs.
• Additional Loan for Successful RPAF Loan Recipients – A zero-percent interest loan for the purchase of equipment to manufacture a recycled-content product or to prepare material for use as feedstock. Previous RPAF recipients who have completed loans in good standing are eligible. The maximum loan is also $500,000 per applicant, not to exceed 50 percent of eligible project costs.
• Three R’s Assessment – Grants to encourage business and industry to explore ways to reduce their waste streams through source reduction, recycling and use of recycled-content products or feedstock. Indiana businesses are eligible. Funding up to $6,000, not to exceed 50 percent of project costs, is available.
• Innovations Grant – Grants to assist with research, development and implementation projects that increase the use of recycled materials or reduce waste. Manufacturing and commercial businesses are eligible, with funding up to $100,000, not to exceed 50 percent of eligible project costs, available.
• Recycled Product Marketing Grant – Grants to help Indiana recycled-content product manufacturers design or implement a marketing plan. Indiana businesses with less than 100 employees that manufacture a recycled-content product are eligible. Up to $30,000 in funding is available, not to exceed 50 percent of eligible project costs.
• Recycled Product Purchasing Grant – Grants to stimulate the markets for recycled-content products by encouraging local government entities to purchase recycled-content products as a trial or demonstration. Encourages public education about projects and potential long-terms purchasing of recycled products. Local government entities are eligible. Up to $5,000 in funding is available, not to exceed 50 percent of eligible project costs.

The recycling and Energy Development Board (REDB) makes funding decisions for the Recycling Market Development Program. Projects are reviewed thoroughly by the Department of Commerce and applicants must meet specific program guidelines, which can be found at www.CommerceRecycles.in.gov. The site also includes a searchable database of companies providing markets for recyclables, a “Showroom” of Indiana recycled-content products and a database of available scrap materials from companies around Indiana.