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Other Programs

The objectives of the Solid Waste Management Grant Program are to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources and to improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas.  For this program rural areas are defined as areas not including any city or town with a population in excess of 10,000 people.  Entities eligible for the grants are private nonprofit corporations and public bodies including local governmental based multi-jurisdictional organizations.  Grants may be used to:

• Evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to water resources.
• Provide technical assistance and/or training to enhance operator skills in the maintenance and operation of active landfills.
• Provide technical assistance and/or training to help communities reduce the solid waste stream.
• Provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills which are closed or will be closed in the near future with the development/implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning and closure scheduling within permit requirements.

Technical Assistance and Training Grants

The objectives of the Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program are to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problem areas and to improve operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas.  For this program rural areas are defined as areas not included in any city or town with a population in excess of 10,000 people.  Eligible entities for the grants are private nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Grants may be used to:

• Identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems, such as source, treatment, distribution and collection in rural areas.
• Provide training and/or technical assistance that will improve management, operation and maintenance of water and waste disposal facilities.

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program (DLT) is designed to encourage and improve telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals and rural residents.  Eligible entities include corporations, partnerships, Indian tribes or other legal entity which operated or will operate a school, college, university, learning center, training facility or other educational institution including regional educational laboratory, library, hospital, medical center, medical clinic or any rural community facility.  A consortium including at least one of the above mentioned entities is also eligible.  Grants and loans will be limited to costs associated with the initial capital assets associated with the project including acquiring, by lease or purchase, eligible equipment including computer hardware and software, audio and visual equipment, acquiring instructional programming and providing technical assistance and instruction.  Application deadlines vary from year to year.  Applications must compete for funding on a national basis as Ohio receives no separate allocation of DLT funds.

For assistance with any of the topics outlined above, please contact David M. Douglas, Community Program Director.
Mr. Douglas can be reached at (614) 255-2391 or by email David.Douglas@oh.usda.gov.