Funding Opportunities for Municipalities

This edition includes the following upcoming events and funding opportunities:

• CRCOG BIL Workshop: May 31, Sustainable Stormwater Management
• CRCOG Annual Meeting: June 5
• CT Green Bank Workshop: May 23, Greening School Buses and Municipal Facilities
• U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All
• U.S. DOT Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program
• CT DOT Active Transportation Microgrant Program
• U.S. DOT Bridge Investment Program for Bridge Project Grants
• EPA Environmental & Climate Justice Community Change Grant Program 
• Brownfields Redevelopment
• CT DECD Community Investment Fund
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Discretionary Funding Opportunities

BIL Workshop Series: Sustainable Stormwater Management

Date: May 31, 10:30 am - 1 pm

Location: CRCOG's new office, 350 Church St., Hartford, CT

CRCOG is pleased to collaborate with Weston & Sampson and other industry experts and invite you to this informative seminar about Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure. Learn about innovative approaches to managing stormwater using nature-based solutions that will promote resiliency in our communities.

Lunch will be provided at this in-person event.

Enrollment is limited for this free event, so please register now or by May 24.

CRCOG Annual Meeting

Date: June 5, 2 - 5 pm

Location: BLDG4, 642 Hilliard St., Manchester, CT 06042

You're invited to CRCOG's Annual Meeting! This will offer an excellent time to reflect on the past while connecting with colleagues about the future. CRCOG's Policy Board Chair, Mayor Erin Stewart of the City of New Britain, and Executive Director, Matt Hart will be joined by Anthony M. Anthony, Chief Marketing Officer of Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development, who will deliver the keynote speech.

Tickets are $30. Payment options are included in the registration link. Register now, or by May 31.

CT Green Bank Workshop - Financing for School Buses

Date: May 23, 10 am - 2 pm

Location: Hotel Marcel New Haven, 500 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT.

The Connecticut Green Bank is hosting a workshop to engage a meaningful dialogue about how federal funds can facilitate the shift towards the financing of sustainable, resilient, and greener solutions. This workshop is intended for elected officials, energy/sustainable task force members, school superintendents and officials, and other municipal leaders.

Lunch will be provided at this in-person event.

Please register by May 15.

U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program 

Planning and Demonstration Grant Deadlines: May 16, or August 29, 2024

Implementation Grant Deadline: May 16, 2024

U.S. DOT is now accepting applications for Round 3 of the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program (SS4A). This is an excellent opportunity to fund projects and develop strategies that will prevent deaths and serious injuries on roadways. Over $1.2B is available. Learn more here, or in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

CRCOG has prepared guidance documents for each of the two types of grants. Please contact Elizabeth Sanderson if you are interested in receiving these documents or would like to discuss your project in greater detail.

Apply online through ValidEval before the application deadlines:

• Planning and Demonstration Grant Application Signup
• Implementation Grant Application Signup

U.S. DOT Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program

Application Deadline: June 17, 2024

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced availability of $44M for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP).

ATIIP seeks to fund projects that will provide safe and connected active transportation facilities in networks (connections between destinations within a community or metro-region) and spines (connections between communities, metro-regions, or States). Integrating active transportation with transit services is a goal of the program to improve access to public transportation.

Two types of grants will be awarded:

1. Planning and Design (minimum planning and design cost of $100,000); and
2. Construction (minimum total costs of $15M).

Visit FHWA's ATIIP Webpage and obtain the NOFO for more information.

Apply online through Grants.gov before the deadline.

CT DOT Active Transportation Microgrant Program

Application Deadline: Rolling Basis until funds are exhausted

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has created a new Active Transportation Microgrant Program to work in conjunction with the Safe Routes to School Program. The purpose of the program is to provide eligible applicants with up to $5,000 for non-infrastructure resources that advance safe, accessible, sustainable, and equitable walking, biking, and rolling.

Eligible applicants include schools, school districts, municipalities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible items include bicycle helmets; bicycle locks; bicycle fleets; safety vests; bicycle maintenance training and materials; League Cycling instructors training; and programs, events, and materials for bicycle and pedestrian safety education.

Up to $500,000 is available for this program, which will be administered and distributed by COGs until utilized. Applicants may apply for up to two grants per 12-month period. View the Program Guidelines for more information.

Apply online using this Application Form and send to Mike Cipriano, CRCOG's Representative, once complete. Since this is a rolling application process with limited funds available, applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Mike Cipriano with questions.

U.S. DOT Bridge Investment Program 

Large Bridge Application Deadline: August 1, 2024

Planning Grant Application Deadline: October 1, 2024

Bridge Project Application Deadline: March 19, 2024

There is still time to apply for Federal funding from FY2023 and FY2024 for Bridge Project Grants (under $100M) through FHWA's Bridge Investment Program.

This is an excellent opportunity for municipalities to improve existing bridges or culverts that are listed on the National Bridge Inventory. The goal of this program is to improve bridge condition and the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over existing bridges.

There are two funding categories in this program: (1) Planning; and (2) Bridge Project grants (with total eligible costs not greater than $100M).

• Planning Grants: Up to $80M is available for FYs 2023 through 2026. There is no maximum or minimum grant award amount; however, grant awards must not exceed 80% of total eligible project costs (a 20% non-Federal cost share is required).
• Bridge Project Grants: Up to $9.62 B is available for FYs 2023 through 2026 for projects with total eligible costs of $100M or less. Minimum grant awards of $2.5 M, and maximum grant awards of 80% of total eligible project costs (a 20% non-Federal cost share is required).
• Large Bridge Project Grants: Funding available for projects with total eligible costs greater than $100M.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Planning and Bridge Project Grants establishes a “rolling application” process. The schedule, requirements, and selection process for applications is provided for the remaining available amounts of BIP funding.

View CRCOG's three static maps and/or interactive online map depicting bridges rated in poor or fair condition based on data from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Some of the bridges have been allocated funding through state or other programs, while others have not.

See CRCOG's Summary and FHWA's Program Webpage for more information. FHWA provides application templates (Planning and Bridge Project) and a Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool to assist applicants.

If you have a bridge that is listed on the National Bridge Inventory, and it is rated in poor or fair condition, then please contact Elizabeth Sanderson to learn more about how a Planning Grant or Bridge Project Grant through the Bridge Investment Program could be used to improve road safety and connectivity in your town or city. Project bundling is encouraged. More information about this innovative practice is provided by FHWA here.

Applications will be accepted at Grants.gov on a rolling basis.

U.S. EPA Environmental & Climate Justice Community Change Grant Program

Application Deadline: Rolling Basis until November 21, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making $2B available to fund community-driven projects to address climate challenges and reduce pollution through the Community Change Grants. The program will enable communities and their partners* to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and in the future. 

There are two funding tracks:

1. Community-Driven Investments for Change will fund about 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million to meaningfully improve the environmental, climate, and resilience conditions affecting disadvantaged communities. A review of the EPA IRA Disadvantaged Communities Map reveals that 19 CRCOG Member Municipalities contain Census Tracts that meet EPA's definition of disadvantaged community: Berlin, Bloomfield, Columbia, East Hartford, Enfield, Hartford, Manchester, Mansfield, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Southington, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.
2. Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance will fund about 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million. 

Grants may be used for:

• Air and other pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation, and investments that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions1 and other air pollutants;
• Mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events;
• Climate resiliency and adaptation;
• Reducing indoor toxics and indoor air pollution;
• Facilitating engagement of disadvantaged communities in state and federal advisory groups, workshops, rulemakings, and other public processes; or
• More, as detailed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Funds must be used within 3-years. EPA offers technical assistance for eligible entities for pre- and post-award activities. More information about the technical assistance program is available here.

Apply online at Grants.gov at any time before the final application deadline.

*Partners are expected to comply with competitive procurement contracting requirements. More information about partner selection is in the NOFO.

Brownfields Redevelopment

Application Deadline: Varies

In Connecticut, a brownfield is defined as “any abandoned or underutilized site where redevelopment, reuse or expansion has not occurred due to the presence or potential presence of pollution in the buildings, soil or groundwater that requires investigation or remediation before or in conjunction with the redevelopment, reuse or expansion of the property” (emphasis added). 

Such properties are common in Connecticut, due to our long-history and industrious roots. Brownfields are common contributors to blight, and it is important to take action to assess environmental conditions, identify pollutants, and establish a plan to remediate them so that these opportunity properties can return to productive re-use.

Federal, State, and local programs exist to incentivize redevelopment. Let's talk about options that may be available to address blight and pollution in your community. 

CT DECD Community Investment Fund (CIF)

Application Deadline: June 21, 2024, by noon

Round 5 of the State of Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development Community Investment Fund 2030 Program (CIF) is now open. Upto $875M is available to historically underserved communities for a variety of uses. There are three types of grants available to eligible municipalities and the non-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them:

1. Capital improvement programs, such as brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation.
2. Small business capital programs, including revolving or micro loan programs, gap financing, and start-up funds to establish small businesses.
3. Planning for capital projects including activities such as community engagement processes, feasibility studies, development of project plan and construction budget. 

In CRCOG, the following municipalities are eligible: Bloomfield, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Hartford, Manchester, Mansfield, New Britain, Plainville, Stafford, Vernon, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.

More information is available on the Program Webpage and Application Portal Webpage.

Apply online by the deadline:

• Capital Improvement Application Portal
• Small Business Program Application Portal
• Planning Application Portal

HUD Discretionary Funding Opportunities 

Application deadlines vary by program.

HUD has over 20 discretionary grant programs available that support agency initiatives such as Affordable Housing Development and Preservation, Community and Economic Development, Environment and Energy, Fair Housing, Homelessness, Homeownership, Rental Assistance, Supportive Housing and Services:

FY2024 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant

$10M available, with twenty awards anticipated of up to $500,000. 5% match required.

Deadline: June 10, 2024

FY2023 and FY2024 Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships

Deadline: June 30, 2025

More information is available on Grants.gov or HUD's Grant Information webpage.

U.S. DOT PROTECT Grant

CRCOG, in collaboration with Naugatuck Valley COG (NVCOG), Northwest Hills COG, and NortheastCT COG (NECOG) have been selected to receive $1.2M from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program.

Funds will be used to develop a multijurisdictional Resilience Improvement Plan (RIP) for the inland, non-coastal municipalities represented by each COG. The plan will assess and determine the vulnerability and risks to local/municipal transportation infrastructure from major natural events.

Projects referenced in a regional RIP may be eligible for reduced local match requirements for future funding opportunities. Stay tuned for more information as we coordinate next steps.

We are excited for this opportunity to identify transportation systems and assets that are vulnerable to natural hazards, and to build resilient infrastructure that will serve future generations.

Discretionary Grants Awarded to the CRCOG Region

Learn more about discretionary grant awards coming to our region. CRCOG's GIS Team has developed an Interactive Online Map of Federal Discretionary Grant Awards. This map is updated quarterly with available information about awards in our region. As of April 11, 2024, over $56M has been awarded to CRCOG Member Municipalities. Additional funding has been awarded to non-municipal entities.

More information about these grant awards is available on the map. Contact Elizabeth Sanderson to discuss how you can take advantage of open and upcoming funding opportunities.

A Reminder About ARPA Funds

On September 20, 2003, the U.S. Department of Treasury published the Interim Final Rule of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF, a.k.a. ARPA Funds). This 2023 Interim Final Rule expands eligible uses of SLFRF to include:

1. Emergency relief from natural disasters;
2. Projects eligible under certain Surface Transportation Projects; and
3. Projects eligible under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

Restrictions and timelines apply. Here's a complete summary of the 2023 Interim Final Rule.

Here's a webinar conducted by the U.S. Department of Treasury on YouTube.

Connecticut's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T2 Center) provides a wealth of resources and training opportunities related to the transportation industry. Learn more about upcoming opportunities and get connected by visiting the T2 Center Webpage.

View a recent T2 Center webinar about CT DOT's Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device Program

Visit FHWA's Complete Streets Funding Sheet for more funding opportunity ideas.

View FHWA's Lighting Handbook and Fact Sheet to learn more about how lighting can help save lives.

A link to learn more about FHWA's Proven Countermeasures to improve road safety.

View information about available U.S. DOT technical assistance, including a Rural Grant Toolkit and a new Benefit-Cost Analysis Spreadsheet Template, for your use.

View CRCOG's On-Call List of Qualified Consultants for Infrastructure Related Economic Analysis. Three consultants were selected for CRCOG and/or Member Municipalities to contract with to perform infrastructure related economic analysis services, such as Benefit Cost Analyses for studies or grant applications. Such technical assistance is in addition to the assistance CRCOG currently provides.

Visit CRCOG's BIL Webpage for more information about many of the grants and funding opportunities featured in this newsletter.

View previous Funding Newsletters here

View upcoming CRCOG Events here

View CRCOG Open RFPs/RFQs here

We're Hiring! Check job postings here