Ohio Funding Programs

Ohio Funding Programs

Ohio funding source table
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ohio Water Development Authority offer the Drinking Water Assistance Fund (DWAF) & Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) for eligible applicants. The fund has a priority project ranking that emphasizes public health, meeting SDWA requirements, and economic affordability. Funding from this program can be used for the scope of services approved before a planning loan, the facilities plans approved before a design loan, and the design plans approved before a construction loan.

Keywords: drinking water

Intended Applicant(s): Standard system; small system (population < 10,000)

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Loans | Interest rates are based on term of loan, size of service area, and affordability needs of water-system uses; current rates can be found on WSRLA website | Interest rate discount available for small-system (population < 10,000) loans that receive priority points for affordability | Loan term is up to 20 years (long-term) with interest rates established monthly for both a standard rate and a small system rate; or loan term is up to 5 years (short-term) with interest rates established monthly | Disadvantaged Community Loan Program is available for those who qualify: Tier 1 has principal forgiveness of up to 40% and the remainder of the loan at 0% interest for up to 30 years, Tier 2 has principal forgiveness up to 30%, and Tier 3 has principal forgiveness up to 20%.

Application Process: Deadline/acceptance basis: March 1 annually for nomination form and July annually for priority list | Loans are made at the monthly OWDA board meetings on last Thursday of every month

Website:

Contact Information: Susan Schell, 614-644-2752

Organization: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)

Program: Drinking Water Assistance Fund (DWAF) & Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA)

Through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and the Ohio Water Development Authority’s (OWDA) Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), the state provides financial and technical assistance for planning, design, and construction of a wide variety of projects that protect or improve the quality of Ohio’s water resources.

Keywords: wastewater, storm water, non-point source

Intended Applicant(s): Public or private applicants | Standard community, small community, or hardship community

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Loans | Interest rate is the rate for which the applicant would qualify (see website for specific rates) — Standard rate for loan term of 20 years, Small community rate for a population < 5,000, or Hardship community rate for a service population < 2,500 with an MHI of $48,750 or less OR a population of 2,500 – 10,000 with an MHI of $44,425 or less | Loan term for planning and design is up to 5 years

Application Process: Deadline/acceptance basis: August 31 annually for nomination and three months before projected loan award date for application

Website: https://www.owda.org/application-forms

Contact Information: Office of Environmental and Financial Assistance Customer Support Staff, 614-644-2798

Organization: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)

Program: Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF)

The Ohio Water Development Authority’s (OWDA) Fresh Water Loan Program provides financial assistance for planning/design and/or construction of drinking water, wastewater, and storm water projects.

Keywords: drinking water, wastewater, storm water

Intended Applicant(s): Population < 5000 or residential users < 2000

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Loans | Maximum/minimum loan is not limited | Interest rate is based on Municipal Market Monitor (MMD) | Interest rate discount of up to 1% possible | Loan term for planning is a 5-year balloon and for construction is between 5 and 30 years

Application Process: Deadline/acceptance basis: March 1 annually for nomination

Website: https://www.owda.org/summary-list

Contact Information: Ken Heigel–Chief Program Officer, 614-466-5822 | Kim Killian–Loan Analyst, 614-466-5822

Organization: Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)

Program: Fresh Water Loan Program

The Ohio Water Development Authority’s (OWDA) Fresh Water Loan Program – Community Assistance Rate helps small communities to maintain affordable water and sewer rates by providing reduced rate loans.

Keywords: drinking water, wastewater, storm water

Intended Applicant(s): Population < 5000 or residential users < 2000

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Loans | Maximum loan is $3,000,000 for all project costs | Interest rate is based on MMD AA index less 2.2% | Loan term is variable, 5 to 30 years

Application Process: Deadline/acceptance basis: March 1 annually for nomination

Website: https://www.owda.org/application-forms

Contact Information: Ken Heigel–Chief Program Officer, 614-466-5822 | Kim Killian–Loan Analyst, 614-466-5822

Organization: Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)

Program: Fresh Water Loan Program – Community Assistance Rate

The Ohio Water Development Authority’s (OWDA) Village Capital Improvement program provides loans for water and waste water projects. The program funds planning up to $25,000 and design up to $50,000.

Keywords: drinking water, wastewater, storm water

Intended Applicant(s): Incorporated village with population > 500 with MHI below $37,134 or population < 500 with no MHI limit

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Loans | Interest rate is 0% for 3 years, 2.2% for remaining 7 years if not repaid sooner | Loan term is up to 10 years

Application Process: Deadline/acceptance basis: 60 days prior to board meetings on last Thursday of January, April, July, and October

Website: https://www.owda.org/summary-list

Contact Information: Ken Heigel–Chief Program Officer, 614-466-5822 | Kim Killian–Loan Analyst, 614-466-5822

Organization: Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)

Program: Village Capital Improvement

The Ohio Water Development Authority’s (OWDA) Alternative Storm Water Loan Program provides funding for storm water management projects that promote economic development by reducing runoff, pollutant loads, and erosion. Project examples include bioretention, bioswales, permeable pavement, and vegetated roofs (green infrastructure).

Keywords: Storm water

Intended Applicant(s): Local government agencies

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Loans | Maximum/minimum loan depends on funds available | Interest rate is treasury rate at time of approval | Loan term for all project-related costs is up to 10 years

Application Process: Application process: Meet with Ohio Development Services Agency (DSA) prior to application; submit application to DSA

Website: https://www.owda.org/summary-list

Contact Information: Ken Heigel–Chief Program Officer, 614-466-5822 | Kim Killian–Loan Analyst, 614-466-5822

Organization: Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)

Program: Alternative Storm Water Loan Program

The Ohio Water Development Authority’s (OWDA) Solid Waste Program funds planning, engineering, and construction of facilities to reduce and dispose of solid waste. Project examples include recycling, composting, transfer stations, landfills, and incinerators.

Keywords: Solid Waste

Intended Applicant(s): Local government agencies and Solid Waste Districts

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Loans | Maximum/minimum loan is not limited | Interest rate is based on Bond Buyer 20 Bond Index + 100 basis points | Loan term for planning and/or design is 5 years and for construction is up to 30 years or facility’s useful life

Application Process: Deadline/acceptance basis: 15th of each month for application

Website: https://www.owda.org/summary-list

Contact Information: Ken Heigel–Chief Program Officer, 614-466-5822 | Kim Killian–Loan Analyst, 614-466-5822

Organization: Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA)

Program: Solid Waste Program

The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) provides funding for repair/replacement projects and for new/expanded infrastructure. With the SCIP, $175 million is available annually for projects between 2017 and 2022, and $200 million is available annually for projects between 2022 and 2026.

Keywords: Water, wastewater, storm water, solid waste

Intended Applicant(s): Counties, cities, villages, townships, water and sanitary districts

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Grants and Loans | Maximum/minimum loan is not limited | Grant funding for repair/replacement projects is up to 90%, grant funding for new/expanded infrastructure projects is up to 50% | Combination grant/loan is possible for larger projects loans | Interest rate is 0-3% per District recommendation | Loan term is up to 30 years or project’s useful life

Application Process: Submit separate application for loan assistance to pay interest on non-OPWC loans for the construction period of the project | Note: Submitting for a combination of grants and loans can be acquired through the same application process

Website: https://publicworks.ohio.gov/programs/infrastucture/scip-ltip/01-scip-ltip

Contact Information: Linda Bailiff, 614-644-1823

Organization: Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC)

Program: State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP)

The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) program provides grant and loan funding. This program provides a “second chance” for eligible communities not funded at the District level. The Small Government Program has an annual allocation of $17.5 million.

Keywords: drinking water, wastewater

Intended Applicant(s): Villages and townships with population < 5000 in unincorporated areas

Funding Det/Terms/Cap:

Application Process:

Website: https://publicworks.ohio.gov/programs/infrastucture/government/03-small-government

Contact Information: Linda Bailiff, 614-644-1823

Organization: Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC)

Program: Small Government Program

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will offer a discount for projects that implement green project reserve (GPR) benefits to water quality and the environment. The four GPR categories in the Federal guidance include 1) green infrastructure; 2) water efficiency; 3) energy efficiency; and 4) environmentally innovative. A GPR discount on Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) monies will be available project that fall within the four GPR categories.

Keywords: Green infrastructure

Intended Applicant(s): WPCLF-eligible construction loans with a 20-year term, or qualifying CSO projects with a 30-year term that include green components

Funding Det/Terms/Cap: Interest rate discount on entire loan amount of 0.1% for projects that include a green component of at least $250,000, and the green component is 25% or more of the project construction cost | Interest rate discounts on WPCLF construction funding may be combined, but total interest rate for the construction loan will not be less than 0.2%

Application Process: Deadline/acceptance basis: August 30 annually for WPCLF | List project plan on project priority list (PPL) before deadline

Website: https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/environmental-financial-assistance/financial-assistance/interest-rates

Contact Information: Office of Environmental and Financial Assistance, 614-644-2798

Organization: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Program: Interest Rate Discount: Green Project Reserve (GPR) Discount