News from Sacramento:
Sacramento, CA — Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D- Coachella), Chair of the State Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, urges the local agricultural industry to apply for State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) grants.
Due to continued technical problems, the SWEEP grant deadline has been re-extended to Monday, March 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. PST.
This grant program is offered through the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to support California’s commitment to reduce emissions through water and energy efficiency program investments.
This year, up to $4.5 million will be made available for irrigation projects that reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and save water. The maximum grant award is $100,000 with a recommended 50 percent match of the total project cost. The maximum grant duration is 12 months. 2017 SWEEP funding awards will be announced in May.
“The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) is a prime example of how state climate investments can help boost our local economies. Last year, I was proud to see grant recipients from the 56th District reap the benefits of this funding source,” shared Assemblymember Garcia. “This year, 4.5 million is up for grabs and I strongly encourage our agricultural community to take advantage of these existing resources.”
For More Information: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/
Application Assistance Contacts:
Dr. Jairo Diaz, UC Cooperative Extension – Imperial County
Phone: 760.356.3065
Dr. Khaled Bali, Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 559.646.6541
Cherie Watte, Executive Director IVH2O
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 916.690.3111
For growers interested in drip irrigation grant proposal assistance contact:
Jamie Milken, Innovation Center
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 626.788.6007
###
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.