LEEP Direct Grants

LEEP Direct Grants Overview

LEEP Designees can apply for up to $10,000 in Direct Grants for purposes of assuring compliance with regulatory requirements of local or state permits or licenses that mitigate adverse environmental effects of cannabis cultivation. Suggested activities include (but are not limited to):

  • Water storage for irrigation during forbearance periods of surface water diversion required by state or local regulations;
  • Remediation and relocation of cannabis facilities located within streamside setbacks required by state or local regulation;
  • Installation of solar electrical systems to replace diesel or gasoline generator power for off-grid cannabis facilities where connecting to the grid is economically infeasible.
  • Road remediation, watershed mitigation, culverts or infrastructure needed to meet state or local regulations.
  • Grants for the purpose of employment skill training for eligible equity participants or seeking employment in licensed cannabis operations in Mendocino County.
LEEP Direct Grants Categories

LEEP Designees can apply for up to $10,000 in Direct Grant Funds in the following categories:

1.) Regulatory compliance

2.) Capital Improvement

3.) Fixtures or Equipment

4.) Training and Retention of Equity Verified Workforce

Sample projects for how grant funds can be used in each of these categories are summarized below.

Regulatory Compliance Sample Projects:

  • Survey or Site Plan Development
  • Biological Study/ Botanical or Fish and Wildlife Survey
  • Site Management Plan
  • Storm and Wastewater Management
  • Water Availability Analysis
  • Erosion and Sediment Control
  • Cleanup or Abatement of Hazardous Materials
  • Stream and Stream Bank Restoration
  • Permit(s) associated with capital improvement project

Capital Improvement Sample Projects:

  • Culvert Installation or Replacement
  • Rainwater Catchment System Installation
  • Installing Solar Electrical System to Replace Generators
  • Road or Parking Area Remediation
  • Accessibility related project (ADA Requirements for Building Project)

Fixtures or Equipment Sample Projects:

  • Rain Catchment Water Tank
  • Ventilation System for indoor cultivation
  • Machinery
  • Road or Parking Area Remediation Training and Retention of Equity Verified Workforce Sample Projects:
  • Training of equity verified candidates
  • Employee Skill Related Training Course
  • Organic Farming Certification
  • Generative Farming and Bio Dynamic Certification
  • OSHA Training

State Fees

LEEP Direct Grant Required Documents
Direct Grant Applicants are required to answer the following question and upload the following information:
  • Explain how this Direct Service Grant will help your business (200 words)

  • Upload the Required Direct Grant Documents Listed Below:

  1. Budget Totaling Grant Amount
  2. Written Narrative explaining Budget and assumptions made.
  3. Business Executive Summary
  4. Mendocino Impact Plan
  5. Action Plan
How to apply for LEEP Direct Grant
Apply Now for LEEP Direct Grants

Step 1: Obtain a LEEP Designation and Eligibility Number (Application Found Here)

Step 2: Complete the LEEP Direct Grant application found here on this website.

Step 3: Application Review: Applications will be reviewed by an Elevate Impact Mendo Staff to ensure that the application is complete. If the application is complete, the Applicant will receive an email confirming that the application is complete and has been sent to the Elevate Impact Grant Committee for review. If the Application is not complete, the Applicant will receive an email explaining which documents are missing and the Applicant will be able to complete and resubmit their application.

Step 4: LEEP Grant Committee Review: Completed Applications will be submitted to the Elevate Impact Grant Committee for review and scoring according to the Equity Grant Assessment Scorecard found here. An application must receive a minimum score of 60 out of 100 points to be approved for a Grant. If the Application scores 60 points or more, the Applicant will receive an email saying that the application has been approved. If the Application scores 59 points or less, the Applicant will receive an email explaining that they did not meet the minimum score of 60 points. An Elevate Impact Staff person will call the Applicant to explain what they can do to improve their score. The Applicant can then resubmit their Application to improve their score.

Step 5: Grant Signing: When a grant is approved, the Elevate Impact Staff Member will send an email to the Applicant and to the County of Mendocino stating that the grant has been approved. Next, Elevate Staff will virtually meet with the Applicant to review, complete and e-sign the grant documents. Afterwards, the grant documents will be signed by the County of Mendocino.

Step 6: Grant Disbursement: Grant Disbursement: The Applicant will establish a vendor account with the County of Mendocino and will subsequently receive payment from the County of Mendocino.