Section 001-31-B-1 - Grant Programs1.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)Determination1) 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 Rejection1) 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 $50,000.00.01-001 C.M.R. ch. 31, § B-1