Pushing Your Projects from 'No Go' to 'Go' With Government Funding

IndustryWeek (Susan Ward, CEO, ITECS Innovative Consulting) - Under ARRA, industrial energy efficiency projects are receiving funding for industrial combined heat and power systems, district energy systems for industrial facilities, and grants to support technical and financial assistance to local industry.

For example, one of our clients recently won a state-level grant to replace a 40-year-old boiler in its manufacturing facility, resulting in an annual savings of about $1 million in energy costs. While this internal investment had been on the company's list for years, other initiatives had always taken precedence. By applying for government funding, the project was pushed from 'no go' to 'go.' This project was a win-win situation because the company saved money in reduced energy costs and repairs and became more efficient. The government won because the state reduced its overall energy consumption in order to meet energy reduction goals.
While most of our clients are interested in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), tax credits and DOE research and development funds related to energy efficiency, we try to reinforce that the government always has invested billions in research and development projects and these investments have led to the United States having a competitive advantage in industries such as computer science, biotech and the pharmaceutical industries.

The best approach to determining whether funding is an option for your company is to review all of your projects or programs and see how they align with the 13 different federal agencies and the state agencies that award funds. Consider opportunities from economic development funds to tax credits, to ARRA grants and traditional research and development funds. Once the right organization and opportunity is targeted the program needs to be positioned with the decision makers at that agency.


Susan Ward is the Founder and CEO of ITECS Innovative Consulting, www.itecs-innovative.com, a technology marketing company that helps businesses, universities and nonprofits -- fund, develop and commercialize high-potential technologies by leveraging the government as a funding source or customer. ITECS has secured more than $100 million in government funding and assisted in more than $500 million in successful technology product introductions.