Strattner Financial Group (SCNG)

[gradyseasons]

Make it pencil out Doug...


http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/05/11/story12.html

Friday, May 8, 2009

Experts detail how to grab stimulus bucksSan Francisco Business Times - by Lindsay Riddell

With more than $60 billion in federal grants, loan guarantees and tax benefits to be doled out over the next few years, clean energy and technology are among the industries that will receive some of the largest portions of the federal stimulus package.

But experts say that companies that want to benefit from federal funding will need to be strategic and thorough in their pursuit of that money.

At a recent conference in San Francisco hosted by the California Clean Energy Fund, CalCEF Angel Network, CalCEF Innovations and Chrysalis Energy Partners titled “Demystifying the Stimulus,” experts lined up to field questions from cleantech businesses on the challenges associated with applying for money and how to best position their companies to collect.

“A comprehensive business plan is a necessity,” said Doug Faulkner, president of Chrysalis Energy Partners and a former energy and agriculture official in the Bush Administration.

“For loan guarantees in particular, the government will dig deeply into your business plan,” Faulkner said. “Does your plan pencil out? Is the risk to the taxpayer reasonable?”

He also cautioned companies to fill out the application thoroughly and completely.

“Not responding to one item or another in a solicitation is the kiss of death.” Faulkner said.

Dan Reicher, director of climate change and energy initiatives at Google and a member of President Obama’s transition team on energy policy, said companies do have some control over their fates. He said there are multiple opportunities to comment on draft guidance for each budget item in the stimulus and urged companies to comment.

“Folks at the agencies are listening, and criteria do change as a result of the comments,” he said. He also told companies they should become comfortable with transparency.

Plus, he added that companies should address their economic impact as well as their environmental impact in their applications. That should include how many jobs that money will help create.

Other experts encouraged businesses to know their goals and clearly state their timetable.

Companies should get involved with the government through merit review panels, by attending advisory meetings or volunteering to help and contribute to the effort.