Stimulus.ms.gov Recovery.gov Recovery.org
As a result of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA or Stimulus Program), the $787 billion economic stimulus legislation that President Obama recently signed into law, Mississippi is receiving up to $2.8 billion, with the opportunity to acquire even more through a competitive grant process. The Stimulus Program, which, according to the White House, is expected to create approximately 30,000 new jobs in Mississippi, allocates a significant amount of funding for economic and community development and energy programs in the state. The legislation also provides Mississippi with tax incentives and funding programs pertaining to health care, transportation and public education. These programs are being administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). Two of these programs, State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG), offer significant opportunities for funding for companies that are seeking to make energy improvements at their facilities. Following are descriptions for each program and links to articles and other Web sites that provide additional information. If you have further questions about the Stimulus Program, please contact Linda Perry, MDA bureau manager-Energy Division, at lperry@mississippi.org or 601.359.6600.
Following are links to Web sites, articles and other information about the Stimulus Program that manufacturers may find useful:
Mississippi Job Protection through Energy Economic Development Program
The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) held a Webinar Feb. 16, 2010, providing information on the Mississippi Job Protection through Energy Economic Development Program. Following are pertinent links related to the Webinar:
MDA is currently accepting applications for Round Two of this program, which provides grants to Mississippi companies to retrofit and upgrade their existing facilities with the goal that resulting savings will make them more competitive and able to save and create jobs. The Mississippi Job Protection through Energy Economic Development Program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA); approximately $5 million is available for Round Two of the program.
Recipients of Round One funding are listed here.Those businesses that applied in Round One of this program but did not receive funding are still eligible to re-apply for Round Two. All applicants should read the revised Round Two Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), which can be accessed by visiting www.stimulus.mississippi.org and selecting Funding Opportunities and Announcements from the menu on the left. The application is also available at this site. Applications for Round Two are due by 3:00 p.m. CST on March 31, 2010.
For additional information about this program, visit www.stimulus.mississippi.org.
Converting Fleet Vehicles to Propane and Natural Gas The Mississippi Development Authority presented a webinar Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, on behalf of the Mississippi Clean Cities Coalition, which provided beneficial information regarding retrofitting or converting fleet vehicles to propane and natural gas, both of which produce lower emissions than petroleum while helping to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Speakers at event were Mark Denton, vice president of business development for Blossman Gas, Bill Calvert, vice president of sales for BAF Technologies and Jimmy Ramsy, business development manager. Denton discussed the options for converting vehicles to accept propane, the most accessible alternative fuel. Calvert discussed the options for converting vehicles to accept natural gas and establishing natural gas fueling stations. Ramsey discussed the benefits of natural gas.
The information covered in this event benefits anyone overseeing a fleet of vehicles, including fleet managers, county supervisors, school officials and more. Following are pertinent links related to this program.