We Energies Renewable Energy Workforce and Economic Development Grant Program - 2011 Introduction During the 2011 program year, We Energies will offer grants and financial assistance under its Workforce and Economic Development Grant Program. This program offers financial assistance as outlined below: 1. Grants for workforce development activities: Grants awarded under this program are designed to assist in furthering workforce development activities within We Energies electric service territory and specifically within the renewable energy industry. This program is limited to not-for-profit organizations that have as part of their mission statement to help advance workforce development initiatives. Applicants must be a We Energies Wisconsin electric customer, and the benefit of the proposed activities must occur within We Energies electric service territory. Example activities may include training and/or certification programs for solar installers, new programs for wind energy technicians, and/or retraining of existing workforce for renewable energy related manufacturing activities. The maximum funding level under this program is $50,000 per award, per organization. Each applicant is eligible for one award per year under the workforce development grant program. 2. Grants for economic development activities: Grants awarded under this program are designed to assist in furthering economic development activities within We Energies electric service territory and specifically within the renewable energy industry. This program is limited to not-for-profit organizations that have as part of their mission statement to help advance economic development initiatives. Applicants must be a We Energies Wisconsin electric customer, and the benefit of the proposed activities must occur within We Energies electric service territory. Example activities may include assistance to businesses to help with expansion within the renewable energy industry, or outreach to businesses from outside the region interested in relocation to the region, and/or expansion of supply chain opportunities. The maximum funding level under this program is $50,000 per award per organization. Each applicant is eligible for one award per year under the economic development grant program. Below, the application details are provided. Should you have questions remaining after you review these materials please do not hesitate to contact: Amy Flom: E-mail: amy.flom@we-energies.com Phone: 262-893-6162 Program Area 1 and 2 Grants for Workforce and Economic Development This program is only open to "not-for-profit" organizations that are We Energies electric customers in Wisconsin. Grants awarded under this program are intended for workforce and economic development endeavors that will clearly advance the renewable energy electric industry within We Energies electric service territory. Funds Available We Energies will offer grant funds up to a maximum award of $50,000 per project. An eligible organization is limited to one grant award per category (workforce and economic development) per year. Although matching funds are not required for this grant program, any additional funding that can be added to the proposal is considered a favorable element of the project and increases the chances for a successful grant. The total grant funds available under this program are limited, therefore you are encouraged to submit your application early in the year as funds will be released on a first come first serve basis. 1
Upon receiving notification of a successful award, We Energies staff will work with the applicant to establish an award disbursement schedule that closely follows project milestones, such that upon the successful completion of certain milestones a portion of the grant funds would be released. In addition to documenting that specific milestones have been met, grant recipients also must submit interim reports noting progress toward goals, tasks and/or deliverables, and are required to submit a final report summarizing accomplishments. It is expected that the work done under this grant program will be completed within one year of the grant award notification. The final report also must be submitted within one year of the award; otherwise, the recipient must ask for an extension or risk forfeiting the grant portion not yet disbursed. Application Process Prepare and submit a grant application that includes the following information: Date of Submittal: Please indicate clearly the date of your grant application. Applicant Information include the applicant s contact information, a cover letter confirming the applicant s commitment to the work effort, and relevant qualifications for each team member assigned to the project. If multiple entities are included in the application, then also include letters of commitment from each entity. Scope of Work (maximum 1 page) include a discussion regarding the demonstrated need for the project and how the project will provide an overall benefit to Wisconsin s electric renewable energy industry and specifically how the benefit will be realized within the service territory. Quantify the specific workforce and economic expected accomplishment to the greatest extent possible. Also document the overall goals and objectives of the project, and the specific tasks and deliverable of each task. Timeline - outline the start and end date for each task identified in the scope of work. Budget - outline the estimated cost of each task, itemize all direct and indirect expenses. Also, document the amount of money you are requesting from We Energies and the amount from other sources (including other grants and/or in-kind contributions, if applicable). Grant proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability of funds for the 2011 program year. Applicants are encouraged to check the We Energies Web site for updates regarding the availability of program funds. Applications can be submitted electronically via e-mail to: amy.flom@we-energies.com Hard-copy proposals can be sent to: We Energies Workforce and Economic Development Grant Program C/O Amy Flom 231 W. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53203 Grant Application Review Process All proposals are reviewed and considered by a review committee. The ultimate decision whether to award a grant, as well as the amount of any grant awarded, is within the sole discretion of We Energies. A Successful Award Grant recipients will be notified by a grant agreement letter that must be signed and sent back to We Energies within 30 days of the grant agreement letter date. By signing the agreement letter, the grant recipient agrees to fulfill all commitments made in the grant application and agrees specifically to all of the grant program terms and conditions, which are provided below. 2
The final amount of the grant offered to the applicant may differ from what was requested. Only expenses and activities in the approved scope of work and budget are eligible for reimbursement, subject to the maximum amount of your grant. Expenses incurred before the grant agreement letter is signed are not eligible for reimbursement. Eligible expenses are auditable costs directly attributable to grant activities. These include staff time spent on the project and apportioned overhead costs, as well as direct project expenses such as the purchase of materials or supplies. If a grant recipient wishes to modify the scope of work or budget/schedule after a grant agreement letter has been signed, the grant recipient must notify We Energies immediately for approval of the changes. Upon review and approval by We Energies, the grant amount will be based on the revised scope of work and/or budget/schedule. We Energies also reserves the right to retract the entire amount of grant funds which remain should it be determined that the revised scope of work and/or budget/schedule no longer meets the intent of the Workforce and Economic Development Grant Program goals and objectives. 3
Terms and Conditions In addition to the eligibility and application requirements described above, the following terms and conditions also apply to this grant: 1. The grant project described within the recipient's grant proposal will be carried out as stated in the proposal. 2. The grant amount is a maximum amount. Only expenses for activities identified in the approved scope of work and budget will be eligible for reimbursement. Expenses incurred before the grant agreement letter is signed will not be eligible for reimbursement, unless approved by We Energies. 3. If cost sharing is included in the applicant s proposal, then it must be met as indicated in the grant proposal or the applicant risks losing the We Energies grant award. Cost sharing is an activity subject to verification by an audit. 4. It is suggested that the grant recipient submit interim reports specifying progress toward the goals and deliverables as provided in the scope of work. Interim reports may include pictures, drawings and/or photographs documenting the progress of the completed services. Along with each interim report, the recipient will submit an invoice that specifies the actual expenditures and the cost share (the amounts funded by this grant and by other sources of funds and/or in-kind support). Copies of receipts for expenditures must be included with the invoice. We Energies will review and approve each interim report prior to authorizing invoice payment. 5. The grant recipient must submit an electronic and paper copy of the final report within 30 days of the end of the project. The final report must include: A summary of the work performed that incorporates: A brief description of the original project objectives and the perceived benefit of the project. A summary of the tangible accomplishments created or achieved by the project. Analysis of data collected under the project and any conclusions based upon the analysis. Any recommendations for enhancing the benefits of the project. 6. Proprietary information about customer facilities designated as confidential will be kept confidential by We Energies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the proprietary information may be disclosed if required by law or regulatory proceeding. We Energies may request confidential handling of the information during legal or regulatory proceedings, but such treatment is neither automatic nor guaranteed. 7. Upon delivery and acceptance of each interim report and invoice, We Energies will send payment to the grant recipient within 30 days. We Energies reserves the right to withhold payment until any identified project problems are resolved. Payment on the final invoice will be made within 30 days of acceptance of the final report. 8. The grant recipient must maintain sufficient segregation of project accounting records from other projects or programs. The recipient should retain all records relating to this grant for one year after the expiration of this grant. We Energies reserves the right to examine any directly pertinent records and computer files of the recipient involving transactions relating to this grant. 9. Your name and grant award information may be used in various communications to the media. A representative of We Energies will contact you before using your name in any media communications. 10. All materials produced under this grant shall contain the following attribution: "This (article, report, publication, or document) is funded in part by We Energies." 11. We Energies reserves the right to terminate this grant award in whole or in part due to the recipient's failure to fulfill the terms and conditions certified in this agreement. 4
12. The grant recipient will not construe, claim, or imply that acceptance of this grant constitutes We Energies approval, acceptance, warranty, guarantee or endorsement. 5