According to a press release from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, or IDEM, they are currently offering funding that is meant to help municipalities, counties, and solid waste management districts in developing local materials management plans.
Those interested in the funding should act soon, as Letters of Intent are due by Friday, November 7th.
This funding is from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solid Waster for Recycling grant, which IDEM will be distributing to eligible local governments. These grants will allow communities to hire contractors who can assess existing waste systems and identify future needs, as well as help to outline goals for improving recycling and materials management.
According to IDEM, the completed plans should do more than describe systems that are already in place. These plans are meant to encourage collaboration between local partners, improve reporting and information collection, and help Indiana move closer to its statewide goal of recycling 50% of solid waste. IDEM also notes that better waste management practices can help promote economic growth in local communities.
Those interested in applying must submit a signed Letter of Intent on official letterhead by November 7th, to MMP@idem.in.gov. The letter should include the applying party’s name and address, a brief statement of the intent to apply for the grant, and contact information for a designated representative. IDEM will send out more detailed application materials and guidelines in early December to those who submit a letter by the deadline. Grant applications will open about two weeks following that, with the funds being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available money has been distributed.
