IDEM And Purdue MEP Offer Technical Assistance And Grant Opportunities To Manufacturers

(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana manufacturers are eligible for a unique opportunity for on-site technical assistance and training from the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The Purdue MEP program is a champion for the manufacturing sector and has a longstanding history of providing manufacturers with high value, affordable solutions to manufacturing challenges including lean manufacturing, energy efficiency, quality improvement, six sigma, and more. Now, with funding from IDEM’s Pollution Prevention Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Purdue MEP is offering a new process improvement assessment to your facility’s toolbelt: W.A.S.T.E. Stream Mapping.

W.A.S.T.E. Stream Mapping can reveal substantial opportunities to reduce costs, improve production flow, save time, improve worker safety, reduce inventory, and improve environmental performance. These assessments take a broad look at manufacturing processes by focusing on all environmental areas including Water, Air, Solid Waste, Toxics, and Energy (W.A.S.T.E).

Currently, U.S. EPA has partnered with IDEM and Purdue MEP to fund W.A.S.T.E. Stream Mapping assessments to 15 Indiana manufacturers at a significantly reduced cost. Through these assessments, Purdue MEP will meet with your facility staff (virtually if preferred), conduct on-site training (virtually if preferred), and assess processes in your facility to identify toxic materials, hazardous emissions, waste streams, and energy improvements. Businesses will be provided with a report and presentation from Purdue MEP outlining opportunities and recommendations for energy savings, less toxic materials and process improvements to prevent pollution and reduce waste.

Unlike other programs, the assistance doesn’t stop here. Once businesses have seen the recommendations, Purdue MEP will offer guidance as businesses prepare to explore innovative solutions to the identified opportunities for improvement. Follow-up assistance includes Purdue’s Faculty Assistance Program. This program pairs companies with unique and challenging unresolved projects with specialized University experts who can assist in resolving those niche problems. Up to 40 hours a year of assistance will be provided to businesses to help identify specific solutions to unique issues.

Furthermore, businesses can also apply for grant funds to provide seed money to implement the solutions. These competitive grants, funded by the U.S. EPA, will be awarded by IDEM. Eligible applicants include only those 15 manufacturing companies selected to participate in this W.A.S.T.E. Stream Mapping opportunity. IDEM anticipates awarding six to ten grants and will distribute a total of $45,000.

Indiana Manufacturing W.A.S.T.E. Stream Mapping Technical Assistance and Grant Opportunity

What businesses receive:

  • Two-day on-site W.A.S.T.E. Stream Mapping training for up to 12 participants ($4,000 value).
  • Facilitated W.A.S.T.E. Stream Mapping project brainstorming, identification, and initial data collection, including a prepared report and representation with recommendations to facility staff.
  • Facilitated solution analysis, feasibility analysis, and Return on Investment (ROI) calculation for final project selection, compiled in a custom action plan for your facility.
  • Up to 40 hours of technical assistance by Purdue TAP Faculty Assistance Program (up to $20,000 value).
  • Opportunity to apply for seed funding (average $4,500 value).
  • Scheduled check-ins from Purdue MEP to collect data on project status and results.
  • Customized final report showing cost savings, carbon emissions reductions, and waste reductions as well as reductions in permitting, fees, labor, disposal costs, and other expenses (potential $10,000-200,000 value, based on previous results. Results will vary based on specific projects).

What businesses provide:

  • $1,500 for Purdue MEP services (used as matching funds for U.S. EPA grant – this helps ensure a commitment from facilities to remain engaged in the program, but at a significantly reduced cost)
  • Employees who will receive training from Purdue MEP and serve as project leads (approximately 20-25 hours of time)
  • Periodic updates to Purdue MEP on project status (gallons saved, cost savings, emissions reductions, etc.).
  • Permission to share results of the project publicly (Confidential information will not be shared.)

Apply today!

For questions about this program, please contact Kelly Weger at weger@purdue.edu.  

About MEP
The Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (tap.purdue.edu) provides high-value solutions to help Indiana businesses maximize their success. As advocates for Indiana’s thousands of manufacturers, our staff identifies areas of improvement, streamlines processes, and ultimately increases competitiveness. Purdue MEP serves over 500 companies annually by implementing continuous improvement principles in the areas of productivity, growth, and technology.

About IDEM
IDEM (idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.