Seneca County organizations urged to apply for OSS grant funding

Tiffin, Ohio — Commissioner Tyler Shuff is urging eligible organizations in Seneca County to take advantage of the competitive grant funding program offered by the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca County Joint Solid Waste Management District.

The program provides funding to local governments, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions for various projects that promote waste reduction or utilize hard-to-recycle materials. The application deadline for the program is June 30, and the grant review committee evaluates funding applications twice a year in January and June.

Commissioner Shuff highlighted that the grant program presents a fantastic opportunity for eligible organizations to secure funding for their projects. However, during the first cycle of the grant, no projects from Seneca County received funding. Shuff is determined to bring as much funding as possible into Seneca County and is encouraging organizations to compete for the funding.

“I was discouraged when no Seneca County organizations received money during the last cycle, so we are hoping to spread the word,” Shuff said. “We need to do everything we can to bring this money back into our community, and I hope to see many local organizations apply and receive funding through this program.”

Projects eligible for funding include education programs, waste management, waste reduction, and other projects that promote significant waste reduction or utilize hard-to-recycle materials. Projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the maximum funding limit for projects is $10,000, excluding matching funds from the entity applying.

The District does not provide retroactive funding for projects that have already been started or completed, and projects must contain a minimum of 25% recycled content. If awarded funding, projects must be completed within 18 months of receiving the award letter, and applicants are required to provide a minimum of 25% matching funds of the total project cost.

Projects awarded funding during the first cycle included recycling and garbage containers on Put-in-Bay, outside seating made from 100% recycled poly lumber for a facility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a recycled steel shade structure for the playground at Bellevue City Schools.

Interested parties can find the application guidelines on the District’s website.

For more information, contact the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca County Joint Solid Waste Management District at (419) 334-7222 or visit their website at www.recycleoss.org.