Grants totaling $3.5-million are available to businesses, communities, and organizations through three state green-oriented programs. The Ohio Market Development Grants, the Ohio Community Development Grants and the Ohio Scrap Tire Grants are provided through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention (ODNR-DRLP). The applications need to be sponsored by an Ohio Governmental body. SWACO, as the solid waste district for Franklin County, can act as a sponsor for interested applicants.

"These grants are a benefit to our environment as well as our economy," says SWACO Executive Director Ron Mills. "We appreciate the support of SWACO sponsored grants by ODNR in recent years." In 2009, ODNR awarded a community development grant to the MAP Furniture Bank (now Furniture Bank of Central Ohio) for $14,100. The money was put toward a truck to pick up donated used furniture for redistribution to needy families in Central Ohio.

"How well we manage waste is an increasingly important part of a competitive edge for business," said Sean Logan, ODNR Director. "Innovative recycling projects like these will help our businesses and communities establish themselves as ready to compete for the jobs of the future."

The programs are designed to help create new products or services from recyclables or waste. The grants can also be used for a new way of collecting and processing recyclables. In the process, the project must show a positive economic and environmental impact. The Ohio Market Development Grants of up to $250,000 must be matched with an equal cash amount from the sponsored business. Ohio Community Development Grants through ODNR-DRLP provide grants of up to $150,000 and require a 50% cash match.

The Scrap Tire grants of up to $350,000 must be matched with an equal amount of cash or a documented line of credit.

The deadline to apply for these grants is February 1, 2010. The awards will be announced in May. More information on the grants is available through Chet Chaney at Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention at chet.chaney@dnr.state.oh. Information on SWACO's sponsorship of a grant application is available through SWACO Grants Administrator Bonni Trice at bonni.trice@swaco.org.

SWACO is the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. We believe today's throwaways are the foundation for tomorrow. In doing so, we act as a catalyst to bring about innovative waste reduction and recycling projects. Our recently opened Green Energy Center turns landfill gas into compressed natural gas to fuel cars and trucks. It has a current capacity to replace 250,000 gasoline gallon equivalents per year. SWACO also provides consumers recycling opportunities around Franklin County (Ohio) through more than 200 recycling drop off-locations, at major sporting and entertainment venues, at Columbus City Schools, The Columbus Arts Festival and other locations. SWACO provides leadership and advice for businesses wishing to begin recycling and waste reduction programs as well. SWACO operates the Franklin County Landfill, and three transfer stations in addition to other programs. For more information on SWACO, visit their website at www.swaco.org.