Rebate Grant Meeting Notes - A 60% Rejection Rate???

The TCEQ hosted a seminar today in Arlington for dealers and consultants who help people file TERP grant applications. There was a special focus on rebate grants.

The next rebate round is supposed to open in October. They did not give a specific date. It sounded like they have to hammer out some application/contract language, but they are getting close. They did confirm that there will not be an ERIG round until next year - probably in February or March.

Today's meeting was largely explaining the forms which are mostly the same. They also took questions as per usual.

The most interesting factoid of the day was this: in the last rebate grant round the TCEQ rejected 60% of all applications because at least one important field was filled out incorrectly.

In other words, likely qualified applicants either had to re-apply for funds or didn't get any at all because the person doing the paperwork made costly errors.

Until now I've held back on buyer-beware warnings when it comes to TERP grant filing assistance. Since I file for our customers it would have come off the wrong way and sounded like I am saying nobody else is qualified so you should only use ROMCO.

I want to be clear that there are other folks out there who do a good job be they consultants or dealers. Unfortunately, I've also seen people who really don't get the system and they don't exactly warn you of their shortcomings.

We all make mistakes now and then, but 60% is awfully high. The state is trying to reduce that figure by doing these classes and pointing out the items that cause the most trouble.

For the most part it's basic stuff like showing the correct grant amount, putting the correct name in a blank or checking a box here and there.

If you are letting somebody assist you in filing don't be afraid to ask them about their qualifications. When it comes time to sign read over your forms take a few minutes to check for obvious mistakes.

Rebate grant rounds usually end when the money runs out and not when the deadline is reached. Depending on when you file and the level of interest state-wide you may not get a second chance. Consider that when you or somebody else files for your grant money.

Rebate Grants Soon, ERIG Next Year

The state sent out a notice that it is preparing for the next round of TERP rebate grants. They normally send out a 30-day (at least) notice giving everybody a heads-up of grant rounds on the horizon. That notice came last week for rebate grants.

The TCEQ expects the next ERIG TERP application round to be sometime in the Spring of 2010.

And By Soon I Meant Today, I Guess

About 30 seconds ago word came down that we have a customer approval on the Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Equipment Grant Program.

We can't be sure exactly when the calls started, how far down the list they are or even how long the list is. The important part is that folks are getting the good news.

Hopefully you'll get a similar call.

More Contingency Calls, HDVEG Should Be Soon

Another customer reports being bumped from the contingency list of the most recent TERP round to being a full approval. Congratulations to those who find themselves in the same boat.

I'd be curious to see how many of those upgrades come from 2009 TERP grants being turned down and how many are from expired opportunities of previous rounds. Unforutnately, there is probably some money returning to the system from those who couldn't meet the hour requirements they submitted on their orignial TERP application.

As a side note, if you find yourself facing that problem get in touch with the state ASAP. From all reports I've gotten they do their best to work with you. In at least one case they extended the contract beyond the 7 years. They want this program to work.

As for the Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Equipment Grant Program, they should be pretty close to starting notifications. The North Central Texas Council of Governments does their monthly review so all of the earliest applicants will learn their fate all at once.

Contingency Calls Starting

If you got approved on a contingency basis on the most recent TERP grant round you may be getting a call soon - at least if you're one of the ones bumped up to receiving a grant.

A customer of ours notified us they had been on what amounts to the stand-by list and are now moving forward with the grant process after notification from the state.

Of course, not everybody will get this call, but for those who will the process has started.

Good luck.

End of the Round Drawing Near

I don't think anybody following the Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Equipment Grant Program offered by the NCTCOG thought it would last through their final deadline of March 26, 2010. In fact, it appears to be close to wrapping up.

Their website can only update official numbers. Those pass final review once a month (last update 7-24-09) so don't put stock in the posted dollar amount representing the here and now.

I talked to their office Monday and while they didn't have an exact dollar amount on hand they did give me the ballpark figure of around $1 million left.

How long will that last?

It could extend the program another week. Or a single application could take every penny of that. We've helped customers get grants that large before. It's not impossible.

This Friday's 5pm deadline could likely be the last.

Important Link I Forgot To Include

In the last post I mentioned a new grant round very similar to TERP and didin't link to the NCTCOG's page for construction equipment filing.

Well, here you go.

We've already filed some and work is underway on a few more. I'm (obviously) looking forward to hearing back on those.