Republic Services is launching its new Community Grant Program as of Oct. 1.

Chris Coyle, Republic’s general manager for its Phoenix operation, outlined the program for the Town Council on Sept. 19.

The grant program is the charitable element of Republic Rewards, the trash hauler’s curbside recycling incentive. The program is to assist organizations that are established as 501(c)3 or 501(c)19.

Coyle said they are looking for specific types of projects to support with the program.

Projects that would be considered include:

* Environmental projects that enhance the natural beauty of the town, water conservation projects and projects that sustain a healthy environment.

* Public enjoyment projects that would offer an elevated level of convenience or aesthetic benefit to a wide variety of community members.

* Educational ideas or projects that help reduce litter or waste and help advance the awareness of “reduce, reuse, recycle” within the community.

* Healthy and active lifestyles programs would promote physical activity or nutritional educational programs.

Proposed projects must occur within the boundaries of the Town of Fountain Hills, demonstrate a community benefit and be completed within one year of the award or the grant money is forfeited.

The grant award will be up to $10,000, which may be for a single project or divided among three programs. The distribution of grant money is by reimbursement, but accommodations may be considered for project scheduled payments.

Republic is currently funding the grant, but it may increase in the future if additional sponsors can be found.

There will be an informal meeting Nov. 5 in council chambers at Town Hall for those interested in submitting a grant application.

Grant applications will be accepted until 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, and the public will be voting on the best program early next year.

A grant committee that includes Chairman Boe James, Secretary Dori Wittrig, Estelle Mackey and Robyn Stoor along with Coyle and Raymond Rees as town liaison will review the applications and select three for public consideration.

Those three will be announced Jan. 2.

The public voting will begin on Jan. 15, via the town website.

Voting will conclude June 1, 2014 and the winners announced at the Town Council meeting on June 5.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh said she is pleased with the creative grant program and thanked Republic for coming up with it.

“I love that all residents can be involved in the selection,” Kavanagh said.

Republic developed the program after taking over as the single trash and recycling hauler for Fountain Hills.

Some residents were concerned that with curbside recycling service, clubs and organizations that use recycling as a fundraising tool would be negatively impacted.