Guide to Local Recovery Update: Nov. 30
Applications for a new set of infrastructure “bootcamps” by the National League of Cities and Local Infrastructure Hub are due Dec. 9. The program helps small and mid-sized cities develop competitive federal grant applications. Applications for a similar technical assistance program from the U.S. Department of Transportation are due Dec. 6. A range of other recovery guides and grants are also available, including those related to housing, energy efficiency, solid waste and recycling, broadband, environmental justice, and climate change.
New federal grant “bootcamps” for small and mid-sized cities
The National League of Cities and Local Infrastructure Hub are accepting applications for five new infrastructure “bootcamps,” which help cities with populations under 150,000 develop competitive grant applications for the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act. The bootcamps include live learning sessions taught by subject matter experts, coaching sessions, office hours, and opportunities for peer learning.
The January bootcamps will focus on the following grant categories:
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program ($550 million): Helps communities reduce fossil fuel emissions; implement renewable energy projects; and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors.
- Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants ($2.5 billion): Helps cities address electric vehicle charging needs for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.
- Safe Streets and Roads for All ($5 billion): Helps communities prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries through a range of different grant programs.
- Brownfields ($1.5 billion): Helps cities assess and clean up brownfield sites — areas with known or possible contamination from prior use.
The bootcamps will require several hours of active participation each month and will last approximately 3-4 months. A major emphasis will be placed on helping communities understand federal priorities, such as equity and sustainability. Registration runs through Dec. 9.
U.S. Transportation Department offering free technical assistance
The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking letters of interest for free technical assistance support through its Thriving Communities Program. The two-year program will help approximately 30 cities plan and develop a pipeline of comprehensive transportation, housing, and community revitalization activities.
The program will prioritize communities that have had limited success in applying for federal transportation funding or successfully delivering integrated infrastructure and community development projects, as well as disadvantaged communities.
The National League of Cities recently released an overview of the program and a guide on how to submit a letter of interest. Additionally, the Transportation Department uploaded several webinars about the application process and capacity builders. Interested applicants must identify community partners and submit a letter of interest by Dec. 6 to be considered for selection.
New tool shows how some federal funding will be allocated
The White House released a Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Federal agencies will use the tool to determine how federal funding should be allocated. The interactive map is part of the Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to direct 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments in climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other areas to communities that are overburdened by pollution.
Communities are considered disadvantaged if they are in a census tract that meets the threshold for at least one of the tool’s categories of burden and corresponding economic indicator, or are on the lands of a federally recognized tribe. The categories of burden include projected climate risks, transportation barriers, lack of green spaces or indoor plumbing, historically redlined neighborhoods, water pollution, and “legacy pollution” — communities close to abandoned mines or former defense sites.
U.S. Department of Energy releases draft energy efficiency block grant allocations
The U.S. Department of Energy released preliminary information about its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, including draft formula funding allocations for cities and counties. The grant program received $550 million from last year’s federal infrastructure law.
Funding can be used to reduce total energy use, lower fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The application process is expected to open in Jan. 2023.
Recycling and solid waste grant applications due in January
Applications for two federal recycling programs are due in mid-January: the Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program and the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program. Both programs received an influx of funding from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act.
The outreach grant program supports projects that informs the public about recycling programs, increases collection rates, and decreases contamination in recycling. The solid waste infrastructure program supports the development of infrastructure projects, the improvement of end-markets for recycled commodities, and the diversion and recycling of solid waste materials. Applications for both programs are due by Jan. 16, 2023.
FCC releases national broadband maps
The Federal Communications Commission released a new data map demonstrating where broadband is and is not available across the country. Members of the public can challenge individual locations to help improve the accuracy of the maps. The maps will impact the allocation of the broadband and digital equity program dollars from the federal infrastructure law.
NLC to hold webinars on procurement, clean energy tax credits, and housing
The National League of Cities will hold three recovery webinars in early December. A Dec. 5 webinar will review procurement regulations and ethical standards, different types of procurement methods, and how city leaders can support procurement efforts. Speakers will also review available tools and resources, including free courses, research publications, cooperative contracts, and more.
On Dec. 8, policy experts will review how local governments can take advantage of two clean energy tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act. With investments in clean commercial vehicles and renewable energy projects at municipal utilities, local governments have the option for a direct payment in lieu of tax credit. The webinar was part of the Ready to Rebuild series, which is available to watch on-demand after airing.
A second Dec. 8 webinar will focus on how cities can use their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for investments in affordable housing production, preservation, and housing stability. The webinar will cover recent updates to the program’s guidance and will be followed by a brief Q&A.
Learn about nature-based resiliency solutions
The Local Infrastructure Hub is holding a Dec. 5 webinar on how nature and technology can complement each other to build more resilient communities and infrastructure. Even as cities shift away from “gray” infrastructure approaches — like dams, seawalls, roads, pipes, and water treatment plants — technology can evolve to play a new supportive role.
The webinar will bring city leaders together with experts in predictive risk analytics, remote sensing, and control systems to understand how digital technology can enable and enhance nature-based approaches to resilience with better data, models, and automation.
City officials looking for additional information about the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or additional recovery tools can visit the Cal Cities Guide to Local Recovery portal.