Energy Financing Districts Make Significant Impacts on Communities
What is your community's best financing option to increase energy efficiency and produce renewable energy? You could apply for funding through one of the 150 energy efficiency financing programs available in the U.S.(typically through a utility company). You could go to a financial institution to receive a loan, or you could establish an Energy Financing District.
 
First proposed in 2007, local governments are establishing Energy Financing Districts (EFDs) to create jobs, save energy, protect the climate, and revitalize their local economy.
 
EFDs enable local governments to raise money by issuing bonds to fund clean energy projects. The financing is repaid over a set number of years through a special tax or assessment on the property tax bill of only those property owners who choose to participate in the program. The financing is secured with a lien on the property. There is little or no up-front cost to the property owner, and if the property is sold before the end of the repayment period, the new owner inherits both the repayment obligation and the financed improvements.
 
For more information, read the on-line Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financing Districts for Local Governments. (PDF)

Funding Available for Rural Businesses
USDA-Rural Development will provide up to $1.5 million in grant dollars to fund small and emerging businesses in rural areas. Smaller projects are given higher priority. Grants generally range from $10,000 to $50,000. Rural public entities, Indian tribes and private nonprofit corporations are eligible to apply.
 
Funds may be used for a variety of purposes such as acquisition and development of land, easements, and rights-of-way; construction, conversion, enlargement, repairs or modernization of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment; access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities, pollution control and abatement facilities; technical assistance for private business enterprises, including training when needed ; reasonable fees and charges for professional services necessary for the project including packaging; and providing financial assistance to third parties through a loan. This includes loans for startup operating cost and working capital.
 
Funds may also be used for refinancing of debts exclusive of interest incurred by or on behalf of an association before an application for a grant; production of television programs to provide information on issues of importance to farmers and rural residents and create, expand, and operate rural distance learning networks or rural learning programs that provide educational instruction or job training instruction related to potential employment or job advancement for adult students.
 
For more information, refer to the Rural Business Enterprise Grant Brochure. (PDF)

Protect Your Community's Green Space with an Urban Forestry Grant
State funding is now available for Wisconsin cities, villages, towns, counties, tribal governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations who successfully complete a DNR Urban Forestry grant application to provide urban forest management plans, urban forestry training, public education workshops, training materials, flyers, planting, pruning or removing trees, and celebrating Arbor Day.
 
Every year a new funding priority is established. This year priority will be given to Emerald Ash Borer projects including tree inventories, readiness plans, ordinances, staff training and public awareness.
 
Grant awards range from $1,000 to $25,000. The intent to apply form must be submitted to DNR by September 3, 2010 in order to apply in October.
 
Visit the DNR website to learn more about Urban Forestry Grants.