Complete Information for the 2013 State Revolving Fund (SRF) project solicitation process for potential loan applicants is provided here. All potential projects must complete a pre-application in order to be included in the 2013 SRF Intended Use Plan.
CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND
The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) will apply for approximately $22,000,000 in new CWSRF funds. This annual allotment, coupled with existing funds and loan repayments, will make available approximately $150,000,000 in funds for Georgia's wastewater systems. Please see the solicitation document below for complete details. All potential projects must complete a pre-application.
DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND
GEFA will apply for approximately $25,000,000 in new DWSRF funds. This annual allotment, coupled with existing funds and loan repayments, will provide approximately $100,000,000 in loans to Georgia’s water systems. Please see the solicitation document below for complete details. All potential projects must complete a pre-application.
STATE REVOLVING FUND GREEN PROJECTS
In 2013, the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs will provide funds for green projects. Please click here to see the types of projects that meet the definition of a green project.
To further promote water conservation activities across the state, GEFA is offering a 1 percent interest rate reduction on water conservation projects funded through GEFA’s programs. Please click here to see what types of water conservation projects are eligible for the 1 percent interest rate reduction.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Principal Forgiveness – Is there principal forgiveness available and how does my project qualify to receive principal forgiveness?
Congress had not completed the 2013 appropriations bill that covers the EPA by the time GEFA released the solicitation documents. Consequently, GEFA does not know if the congressional appropriations language for the SRF programs will include any provisions for the required allotment of principal forgiveness. When the congressional appropriation language is released, most likely after December 31, 2012, GEFA will apply the provisions of the appropriations bill to the project list.
2. Green Project Reserve – Will the SRF program fund a Green Project Reserve?
Congress had not completed the 2013 appropriations bill that covers the EPA by the time GEFA released the solicitation documents. Consequently, GEFA does not know if the congressional appropriations language for the SRF programs will include any provisions for the establishment of a Green Project Reserve. When the congressional appropriation language is released, most likely after December 31, 2012, GEFA will apply the provisions of the appropriations bill to the project list. All Green projects described within the Green Project Solicitation are eligible projects under the SRF programs. The establishment of a Green Project Reserve merely creates a minimum amount of SRF funding that must be provided to Green projects. Green projects are always eligible for funding and GEFA will provide funding for these projects.
3. Fundable Priority List – What if my project is listed toward the bottom of the Fundable Priority List, can I still receive funding?
The Fundable Priority List will list all pre-applications submitted in descending order according to score. Those projects toward the bottom of the Fundable Priority List can still receive loan funding through the SRF program. Only projects that score high enough to receive principal forgiveness and are “eligible” according to the OneGeorgia map qualify for principal forgiveness. The SRF programs have ample funds to provide low-interest loan financing for many of the projects on the list.
4. “Partial” Water Conservation Projects – What if part of my project fits under the list of eligible water conservation projects within the solicitation? Can I get an interest rate reduction for the entire project?
No. GEFA will provide an interest rate reduction only for eligible water conservation activities. If your project includes a water conservation component and a component to meet new state or federal regulations, GEFA will provide an interest rate reduction for the eligible component and finance the regular activities at the prevailing SRF program interest rate.
5. “Partial” Green Projects – What if part of my project fits under the “Green Project Reserve” description within the solicitation? Do I need to separate out the Green components of the project?
No. If your project entails significant (more than 20 percent of total project cost) Green Project Reserve activities (see details in the Green Project solicitation document), you should use the Green Project solicitation form.
6. Pre-application Changes – What if I need to make a chance to a pre-application that I already submitted through the GEFA website?
The online SRF project pre-application process does not allow an applicant to change information previously submitted. If you need to make a change to a pre-application, please contact GEFA staff prior to the pre-application deadline of Monday, December 31, 2012, at 5:00 pm. GEFA staff can change a pre-application that has already been submitted. After December 31, 2012, pre-application information cannot be changed.
7. Consulting Engineers – Can a consulting engineering firm complete the pre-application?
Yes. A consulting engineering firm working on behalf of its client can complete the pre-application form. Consulting engineers must certify that the information is true and accurate and the applicant has been consulted concerning the information provided.
8. E-mail Pre-application – Will a copy of the pre-application be emailed to me for my record once submitted?
Yes. A copy of the pre-application will be emailed to the applicant as well and the consulting engineer to the email address that is provided with the pre-application form.
9. GEFA Loan Number –Do I need a GEFA loan number to complete a pre-application or submit environmental documentation to EPD?
Applicants do not need a GEFA-provided loan number to submit a pre-application. Oftentimes, when submitting environmental documentation to Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for approval, EPD will require the applicant to be issued a loan number from GEFA. EPD requests this number in order to maintain appropriate tracking of all projects. If your community needs a loan number to accompany environmental documents, please submit a part I application to GEFA and GEFA will issue a loan number.
10. “Eligible” Community According to OneGeorgia – Our community resides in both a county that is Eligible and non-Eligible according to the OneGeorgia map. Is our community eligible for principal forgiveness funding?
Yes. If any portion of your community resides in an “Eligible” community, your community is eligible for principal forgiveness funding.
11. “Conditionally Eligible” Community According to OneGeorgia – Our community resides in a Conditionally Eligible county. Is our community eligible for principal forgiveness?
No. Only those communities in “Eligible” counties are eligible for principal forgiveness funding.
12. Updates to the OneGeorgia Authority Eligibility Map – Which version of the OneGeorgia eligibility map will be used by the SRF programs to determine eligibility for principal forgiveness?
The SRF Programs will use the OneGeorgia Authority Eligibility Map that is posted on the OneGeorgia Authority’s website at the time the pre-applications are scored.
13. Pre-application Entry System – Can I save half of the information entered into the pre-application and return later to complete the remaining questions?
No. The design of the pre-application does not allow you to save the information and return later. The button on the top left titled “Save” will submit the pre-application to GEFA.