Section 261.57.4. Program components and eligibility requirements.

There will be six components to the VAAPFAP program. For program components described in subrules 57.4(1) through 57.4(4), the department shall prefer producer-owned, value-added businesses, education of producers and management boards in value-added businesses, and other activities that would support the infrastructure in the development of value-added agriculture, and public and private joint ventures involving an institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents or a private college or university to acquire assets, research facilities, and leverage moneys in a manner that meets the goals of the grow Iowa values fund. The component(s) include the following:

       57.4(1) Innovative agricultural products and processes component. An application based on this component shall be considered if either of the following applies:

        a.           The business will produce a product derived from an agricultural commodity, if the product is not commonly produced in Iowa from an agricultural commodity; or

        b.           The business will utilize a process to produce a product derived from an agricultural commodity, if the process is not commonly used in Iowa to produce the product.

For purposes of this subrule, a product is “not commonly produced” and a process is “not commonly used” if the product or process is not usually, generally, or ordinarily produced or processed in Iowa.

       57.4(2) Renewable fuel component. Applications for renewable fuel and ethanol production shall be considered by the department for funding. Applications based on ethanol fuel production must meet the following criteria to be considered for funding:

        a.           All fermentation, distillation, and dehydration of the ethanol occurs at the proposed facility.

        b.           The ethanol produced at the proposed facility is at least 190 proof and is denatured. However, if the facility markets the ethanol for further refining, the facility must demonstrate that the refiner produces at least 190 proof ethanol from the ethanol purchased from the facility.

       57.4(3) Agricultural biotechnology, biomass and alternative energy component. Agricultural business facilities in the agricultural biotechnology industry, agricultural biomass industry, and alternative energy industry are eligible to submit applications.

       57.4(4) Organic and emerging markets component. Facilities that add value to Iowa agricultural commodities through further processing and development of organic products and emerging markets are eligible for program assistance.

       57.4(5) Project development assistance. The department, at its discretion, may also provide funding for project development related to proposed projects under this program. Project development assistance could be for the purpose of assisting in departmental evaluation of proposals, or could be one of the proposed activities in a funding request whose further project development could reasonably be expected to lead to a VAAPFAP-eligible commercial enterprise. Feasibility studies and basic research are not eligible for assistance under this program.

       57.4(6) Project creation assistance. This component is for projects that eventually could be eligible for funding within the other VAAPFAP components. Periodically, a request for proposal (RFP) will be issued based on strategic initiatives developed by the department in consultation with relevant agricultural groups and advisors. The RFP will describe the desired outcome of the proposed effort. The desired outcome could be a new and innovative product, new processing or marketing techniques, or new forms of business operation or collaboration. These efforts could include:

        a.           Projects that can show need for special financial assistance to engage participation of expertise needed from sources external to the business sponsor of the project.

        b.           Endeavors where there is a need for financial assistance to plan and organize business consortia or joint ventures among firms or to support costs of special services to be acquired from university or other sources.

        c.           Situations where there is a need to provide matching funds to businesses to enter competition for federal research and development grants.