FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shuff Encourages Seneca County Organizations to Compete for Grant Funding Through OSS
The program was created to provide money to local governments, non-profit organizations and educational institutions for various projects. The District is not authorized to fund privately-owned businesses. Funding applications are evaluated twice a year, in January and June. The grant review committee scores the applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.
“The Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca County Joint Solid Waste Management District’s competitive grant program presents a fantastic opportunity for Seneca County organizations to secure funding for their projects,” said Commissioner Tyler Shuff. “I encourage all eligible organizations to submit their applications and take advantage of this opportunity to bring as much money as possible into our county.”
The maximum funding limit for projects is $10,000, excluding matching funds from the entity applying. The District does not provide retroactive funding for projects that have already been started or completed. Projects must contain a minimum of 25% recycled content.
The eligible projects for funding include education programs, waste management, waste reduction, and other projects that result in significant waste reduction or utilize hard-to-recycle materials. Projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
During the first cycle of the grant, no projects from Seneca County received funding. Commissioner Shuff is determined to bring as much funding as possible into Seneca County and is urging organizations to compete for the funding.
“I was discouraged when no Seneca County organizations received money during the last cycle, so we are hoping to spread the word,” Shuff said. “We need to do everything we can to bring this money back into our community, and I hope to see many local organizations apply and receive funding through this program.”
If awarded funding, projects must be completed within 18 months of receiving the award letter. Allowable expenditures include labor, brochures/flyers, recycled signs, benches, picnic tables, playground equipment, cribbing, trash containers, playground surfacing, recycled lumber, recycling containers, transportation/shipping and other equipment. Applicants are required to provide a minimum of 25% matching funds of the total cost of the project.
Projects that were awarded funding during the first cycle include recycling and garbage containers on Put-In-Bay, outside seating made from 100% recycled poly lumber for a facility with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a recycled steel shade structure for the playground at Bellevue City Schools, which can withstand winds up to 105 MPH and can reduce temperatures by as much as 30 degrees.
Interested parties can find the application guidelines on the District’s website at https://recycleoss.org/download-grant-funding-guidelines/. For more information, please contact the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca County Joint Solid Waste Management District at (419) 334-7222 or visit their website at www.recycleoss.org.
