Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Working to Support Ohio Businesses

Christina O’Keeffe
OAQDA

The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) serves as a reliable community partner for local businesses, including those hit hard by the economic hardships brought on by COVID-19, by providing financial assistance for air quality projects. Recently, OAQDA updated its programs to allow for more accessibility, transparency and accountability.

Clean Air Resource Center (CARC)
For small business owners, it can be challenging and time consuming to navigate environmental regulations and prioritize the costs associated with environmentally friendly upgrades to buildings and equipment. CARC now allows more Ohio small businesses to qualify and makes clean air compliance easily accessible and affordable – advocating and providing financial assistance to help businesses comply with the Clean Air Act.  

Grants are now available for small businesses of up to 20 percent (a maximum of $20,000) of the total cost of their Clean Air Act compliance strategy. These funds can be used to reimburse legal fees, closing costs, authority fees and more. After reimbursement, the remainder of the grant may go toward paying the principal payment of the loan that provides the necessary capital to fund the air quality facility.  

Eligibility Requirements  

• Small businesses that are independently owned and operated, employing 100 employees or less 
• Principal place of business (offices or operating facilities) in Ohio 
• Emit less than 75 tons per year of all regulated pollutants or 50 tons or less per year of any one regulated pollutant under the Clean Air Act 
• Financial difficulty to meet compliance requirements 
• A lending institution willing to participate in the transaction  

Clean Air Improvement Program (CAIP)
CAIP supports developers, businesses of all sizes, utilities, governments and institutions with qualified projects that contribute to better air quality, are determined as air quality facilities by OAQDA under Chapter 3706 of the Ohio Revised Code and meet the program guidelines. The program provides financial support through its bond financing and related tax exemptions, including sales and use, real property, and bond interest income.  

Qualified projects include, but are not limited to, the following:  

• Whole building projects
• New construction component isolation
• Retrofit component isolation
• Renewable energy generation 
• Criteria pollutant or greenhouse gas reduction

The program is in a pilot period, which is open to public comment and stakeholder input. Feedback is encouraged through March 2021.

OAQDA’s updated programs provide local businesses critical support while enhancing Ohio’s sustainability efforts. For more information or to apply, visit ohioairquality.ohio.gov/.