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GCL class efforts make Green grants accessible
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MONROE - As part of the class requirements for the Green County Leaders program, a 2008-2009 team identified potential funding sources for environmentally friendly projects in Green County. They culminated their research by creating the Green Source directory, available on the Green County Development Corporation's Web site at www.greencountyedc.com. The Green Source logo at the bottom of the home page takes viewers to the list the GCL team created. Links then take the viewer to the Web pages of foundations sponsoring grants and loans.

The team of Jean Busker, Barbara Brewer, Russ Davis, Jeff Jenson and Brent Smith set out to find financial support for environmentally-friendly efforts by local businesses and farms. By helping to cushion initial investments, they hoped to support long-term savings in both dollars and carbon footprint on Green County. In their time of research, they uncovered funding sources for greening Green County.

Funds are available for energy efficient and renewable energy projects. Individuals and businesses may apply for funds. The list leads with the Focus on Energy site. It offers financial incentives to help Wisconsin homes, farms and businesses take advantage of clean, green, renewable energy. Site evaluations and installation incentives are available through that program.

As grant applications go, Focus on Energy is "user-friendly." The team learned this by interviewing local owner of Super 8 of Monroe, Art Bartsch. He is benefiting with a $17,500 cash back grant for installing solar panels, among other incentives. At Focus on Energy, new programs are constantly being offered.

Other sources also were indentified and checked out for validity. Team member Russ Davis created the logo used by the group and housed on the GCDC Web site. Team members spent hours checking sources to make sure those listed on the Green Source were current and legitimate. But their hope is that some way can be found to keep the information up-to-date through future GCL projects.

Green County Leaders is made possible through a partnership of the GCDC, Green County UW-Extension, the Monroe Campus of Blackhawk Technical College, and other area organizations and businesses.