1.
Irrigation
Grant Fund
(a)
Purposes and
Limitations
The Commissioner may make grants from money received by the
fund from sources other than State bonds and interest earned on the loan
program cash balance or loans, to individuals, firms, corporations, or other
organizations for the purpose of water source development and irrigation,
including well drilling and pond construction, alteration of existing ponds or
wells, irrigation pipe and pipe burial, water pumps, new irrigation equipment
and updating of existing irrigation equipment, and other irrigation uses or
projects as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner. Grants under this section
are limited to $100,000 per project per applicant. In no event shall any grants
under the Grant Fund exceed 75% of the cost of any project eligible to receive
a grant.
(b)
Criteria
for Eligibility
An applicant is eligible to receive a grant under Section 1,
upon a clear demonstration of the following:
1) The applicant's production consists
primarily of potatoes;
2) The
applicant's existing or proposed water source meets all requirements of the
Maine DEP Low Flow Rule (Chapter 587).
3) The applicant has a current water
management plan for use of the water source to be developed.
4) The applicant can prove the ability to
provide their share of the funds for completion of the
project.
(c)
Application Requirements
For the purpose of demonstrating a completed application the
applicant shall submit a written application to the Commissioner including
information or statements showing:
1)
The applicant's crop production consists primarily of potatoes;
2) The applicant has a current water
management plan for the water source to be used for irrigation;
3) Documentation that the existing water
source complies with the Maine DEP Low Flow Rule or a proposed new water source
will meet the Maine DEP Low Flow Rule;
4) Any required permits have been obtained or
applied for. Copies of any permits required for the project shall be submitted
with the application. If any required permits are not approved by the date of
grant application, the applicant shall submit letter(s) from the permitting
agency(s) explaining the status of the permits;
5) Documentation that all matching funds have
been secured.
(d)
Eligible Uses for Grant
If the project involves the construction or alteration of an
irrigation water source, purchase and / or installation of pump(s), purchase
and / or burial of pipe, irrigation system improvements, or purchase and
installation of a new irrigation system, then grant proceeds may be used for
any one or more of the following:
1)
Payment for materials and services in new water source construction, or
alteration of an existing water source;
2) Payment for materials and services in
installing a pump(s) and burial of pipe to supply water to the irrigation
system;
3) Payment for materials
and services in installing an irrigation system.
(e)
Application Approval Process
Grant funds availability will be made on an annual basis
with a formal legal announcement. Grants will be awarded on a first come first
served basis. Determination of grant submittal date will be based on the date a
completed application is received and time stamped in at the PMIF office in
Presque Isle. The Irrigation Grant Review Committee will review the grant
application for eligibility and make recommendations to the Commissioner.
Grants will continue to be made so long as grant funds are available. Grant
awards will be limited to one per farming unit per funding cycle.
(f)
Procedure for Payment of
Grant Proceeds
Upon presentation of a written estimate or quote as to the
cost of a project, the Commissioner will commit to either, a) 75% of that
estimate or quote, or, b) $100,000, whichever is less. Upon presentation of a
certificate of completion and lien waivers signed by the applicant and by any
contractors who provided materials or services to the project, the Commissioner
shall issue a check in the amount determined above. Eligible grants will be
awarded on a first come first served basis.
2.
Research and Infrastructure
Improvement Grants
(a)
Purposes
and Limitations
The Commissioner may make grants from the interest earned on
the cash balance of the fund to individuals, firms, corporations or other
organizations for research on potato storage and handling technologies and for
projects for potato industry infrastructure improvements.
(b)
Applications
Applications for these grants shall consist of a complete
written proposal indicating the following:
1) Identification of the project;
2) Project cost and amount of grant
requested;
3) Names and
qualifications of person(s) to work on, monitor and otherwise be responsible
for the project;
4) Identification
of benefits to potato industry to be realized by the project;
5) For research projects, identification of
research methodology and data sources;
6) Identification of site or sites of the
project;
7) Identification of other
financial resources available for support of project;
8) Identification of time required for
completion of project, and completion of interim phases, if
applicable;
9) Ability of project
results to be implemented.
(c)
Determination
1) No application will be approved unless the
Commissioner determines that the application is complete and that information
sufficient to make an informed decision on the application has been
received.
2) In reviewing and
selecting applications, the Commissioner will consider the following:
a) The feasibility of the project to render
tangible results which will benefit the potato industry;
b) Whether the time frames to complete the
research project are reasonable;
c)
Whether the applicant has the qualifications and experience to complete the
research or infrastructure improvement project;
d) Whether the projected costs reasonably
support the research proposal or infrastructure improvement proposal and the
proposed benefits to the potato industry.
(d)
Approval or Rejection
1) Upon approval of the research or
infrastructure improvement grant application, the Commissioner will execute a
letter setting forth the terms and conditions upon which the grant will be
made.
2) No grant proceeds will be
made until the applicant has accepted the terms and conditions of the
letter.
3) In the event that the
application is rejected, the Commissioner will notify the applicant promptly of
the reasons for the rejection.
4)
No single grant under this section may exceed $50,000.00.
