Online Grant Cost-Effectiveness Calculator

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The County of San Diego Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has created an Online Grant Cost-Effectiveness Calculator to assist local businesses and public agencies that are applying to APCD for incentive grants to purchase low-polluting, cleaner-than-required, heavy-duty diesel powered equipment. Examples include heavy duty trucks, construction equipment, marine vessels, locomotives and agricultural equipment. Because the grants are awarded to the most cost-effective projects – that is, to those projects reducing air pollutant emissions the greatest amount for each grant dollar provided – it is important for grant applicants to be able to calculate their cost-effectiveness values as they complete their grant applications. Prior grant projects are public record and serve as a guide to new applicants attempting to achieve a competitive cost-effectiveness score. The calculator enables them to quickly and conveniently obtain a cost-effectiveness value for various grant proposal scenarios they are considering for submission, thereby maximizing the competitiveness of their applications without requiring assistance from APCD staff. This has resulted in more accurate grant requests, which has led to a decrease in the average funding amount requested, enabling additional projects to be funded. It has also improved customer service while saving APCD staff considerable time.