Second Nature | Stimulus Funding for Higher Education Sustainability Initiatives

Stimulus Funding For Higher Education Sustainability Initiatives

The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created billions of dollars in federal funding for sustainability projects in institutions of higher education. In response to a number of inquiries, the Second Nature team has compiled a summary of grants and bonds available to higher education institutions for sustainability initiatives, and will attempt to keep this up to date as new funding is announced. Funding is available for:

Research and Development
Infrstructure and Green Buildings
Retaining Staff
Education and Green Job Training
Organizational Development

Model Initiatives

University of Minnesota (MN) - Build America Bonds. In April 2009, the University of Minnesota became the first university in the nation to use a new financial mechanism, Build America Bonds (BABs), created as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bonds allow state and local governments to issue taxable bonds for projects eligible for tax-exempt financing and to receive a new direct federal subsidy payment for a portion of the borrowing costs. The United States Treasury will make a direct payment to the university in an amount equal to 35% of interest payments for 20 years, allowing institutions to issue a greater number of bonds and generate more finance. The university issued $37 million worth of BABs to finance land and building purchases, construction and remodeling projects, and acquire new equipment.

Metropolitan Community College (MO) Weatherization Job Training
Metropolitan Community College in Missouri is partnering with the city of Kansas City to offer “on-demand, just-in time” job training to implement weatherization projects. The program will be funded as part of a $20 million stimulus grant to the partnership, which also includes the Metropolitan Energy Center, Kansas City Power & Light, and the University of Central Missouri.

Resources