The Local Infrastructure Hub is offering a second phase of free Grant Bootcamps for municipal officials for several federal grant opportunities.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided cities with opportunities to apply directly for federal funding. Through the Local Infrastructure Hub, small and mid-sized municipalities can receive an expert suite of support to develop strong, competitive grant applications through pro bono technical training and grant-writing bootcamps. During the bootcamps, the Local Infrastructure Hub will also provide participants with access to subject-matter experts, data resources, office hours, individualized coaching sessions, and peer-to-peer learning to engage with experts and other applicants from peer cities going through the same program.
The bootcamps below are open for registration and will run through Spring 2024. They include:
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant Program:
PROTECT provides grant funding for cities to advance climate resilience projects for surface transportation systems, highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. Funding will also minimize damage and disruptions to the transportation system, enhance public safety, and promote climate and racial equity by addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities that are particularly impacted by hazards.
Clean Energy Tax Credits (Inflation Reduction Act – Elective Pay):
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes a provision that provides non-taxable entities investing in clean energy with an elective payment option instead of tax credits. Local leaders can utilize elective pay as an option for developing clean energy projects. Projects may include clean energy generation, battery storage, community solar projects, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and/or purchasing clean vehicles for fleets.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF):
The CWSRF program offers low-interest loans to support water quality infrastructure projects. There are 11 categories of eligible projects, including the construction, repair, and replacement of publicly owned treatment works that enhance energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, and stormwater management. Forty-nine percent of general supplemental funding must go toward disadvantaged communities to address affordability challenges.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A):
SS4A grants provide funding to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries and to address the disproportionate distribution of roadway safety measures in rural and marginalized communities. SS4A includes two grant types: Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants. Each applicant selected for funding must demonstrate efforts to consider the climate change and environmental justice impacts of their project.
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants – Community and Corridor (CFI):
CFI grants provide funding to deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure in communities and along designated transportation corridors. These grants support the development of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging or alternative fueling infrastructure, assistance for operating costs, and the implementation of traffic control devices. CFI projects must address environmental justice.
In order to apply, the primary point person must work for a municipal government with fewer than 150,000 residents. Please review the program overview and FAQ page. Further questions can be addressed to LocalInfrastructureHub@nlc.org.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.