Grants available to fund staff for energy conservation and efficiency

From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:

MADISON, Wis. (March 17, 2009) - Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced new staffing grants today to help businesses, manufacturers, farms, schools and government facilities throughout the state complete energy efficiency projects.

"Businesses don't need to let staffing issues become a barrier to energy savings," said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy's Business Programs director. "Focus on Energy is committed to helping companies overcome barriers that prevent them from completing energy efficiency projects."

The grants will fund up to $80,000 for a full- or part-time employee or consultant to work on-site and manage energy efficiency projects that otherwise would not be completed due to a lack of human resources. Grant funding will go toward the salary and benefits of a project manager who will oversee and engineer energy savings projects.

The grant is designed to help businesses hire new staff or retain existing employees who might otherwise be at risk of lay-off. Partnering or neighboring companies are encouraged to submit a joint application and share an employee or consultant between businesses.

"Focus offered a similar program last year that was very popular and produced even more energy savings projects than expected," Williams explained. "We are pleased to offer an expanded version of the program for 2009."

Interested businesses should visit focusonenergy.com/competitive_incentives for more information. Applications must include a list of potential projects, as funding is based on the energy savings from those projects and is paid when projects are completed. Applications must be received by April 30, 2009. In addition, completed energy efficiency projects are also eligible for Focus on Energy financial incentives that can be found at focusonenergy.com/incentives/business.