News Flash

FY 2024 Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) grant applications are now being accepted for $7.5 million in available funding. The program is aimed at encouraging towns to streamline government services to increase efficiency. 

The LEAP, which is administered by DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS), provides financial assistance to local government entities such as counties, municipalities, school districts, authorities, and fire districts to identify, study, and implement shared services initiatives. The program is aimed at encouraging towns to streamline their government services to increase efficiency and help save taxpayer dollars. 

The LEAP is comprised of three primary components: Challenge, Implementation, and County Coordinator Fellowship Grants. The programs that are applicable to municipalities include: 

The Challenge Grants promote innovation and collaboration on more expansive projects and levels of participation that produce significant shared services between local communities. Municipalities can apply to compete for a share of $150,000 in available funds within each county. New Jersey counties, municipalities, school districts, commissions, authorities, and fire districts may apply. Any two or more of these entities may submit a joint application seeking funding for a proposal. The application deadline is April 15 at 5:00 p.m. Please review the grant guidelines.  

The Implementation Grants support costs associated with the implementation of shared services, consolidation, and school feasibility studies. They allocate funds to help cover costs associated with shared services implementation, including one-time reimbursable costs for project completion or transition support that may include, but are not limited to, new technology costs incurred as part of equipping a shared services program, rebranding costs, equipment and vehicle outlays, professional services, rent for facilities, payroll system conversion costs, and training. Funding is based on the total transition or implementation cost of a project. Municipalities are invited to apply for a share of $2.275 million to offset hard or soft start-up costs related to an implemented shared service initiative. The application deadline is April 15 at 5:00 p.m. The maximum amount a municipality may receive is $400,000. Please review the grant guidelines.   

Examples of LEAP grants to municipalities include: 

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.