1. For what reason was the Ohio Grants Alliance established?

With an unprecedented amount of federal dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, many of which require private sector consortiums as the lead applicant, the founding organizations believed it was imperative to create a statewide entity to empower Ohio to access the diverse array of federal grant opportunities.

2. What is OGA’s criteria for engagement in grant opportunities?

OGA will consider engaging in federal grant opportunities if:

i.     The private sector has a clear role in grant development.

ii.    The total grant pool exceeds $300 million, with an opportunity for Ohio to win at least $10 million.

iii.   The grant would have an impact statewide and involves multi-regional stakeholder engagement.

iv.   There are multiple stakeholders involved.

v.    There is a clear value proposition for Ohio.

3. Does OGA plan on competing against other Ohio consortiums?

No.  OGA leaves open the potential to be the lead applicant only if no other Ohio consortium has stepped up and is going after the grant opportunity.

4. When will Ohio Grants Alliance decide to pass on involving itself in grant opportunities?

OGA will decline to participate when:

i.      There is no productive convening role for statewide involvement.

ii.     There is a low-win rate percentage.

iii.     The grant opportunity fails to meet the initial criteria for engagement.

5. What are the desired outputs of OGA’s work?

OGA strives to create visibility around grant opportunities by disseminating information to partners around the state.  From there, OGA will convene and coordinate the private sector by forming cross-regional consortiums.  Once the consortium is created, OGA will support applicants in winning grants through advocacy, letters of support, and heightening awareness of what is required to win.

6. Can cities and rural areas outside the 3C metropolitan areas access support from OGA?

Absolutely. OGA seeks benefit for the entire state.

7. My business/area has applied for federal grants in the past and has been unsuccessful. Are current opportunities worth the effort?

Whatever has happened in the past, the current grant programs represent a historic opportunity.  States throughout the nation all face the same challenges in applying, so Ohio should have a natural advantage because of the sophistication and depth of its businesses, development agencies – such as JobsOhio and its network partners – and the DeWine/Husted administration. OGA seeks to bring top-level business expertise to Ohio’s effort.

8.  Will state government coordinate with OGA? Aren’t administration officials making their own grant applications?

OGA maintains strong and ongoing coordination with administration officials in order to ensure resources are only spent on efforts that Ohio has a legitimate opportunity at winning.