Guide to Local Recovery Update: April 19

The National League of Cities (NLC) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury created new resources to help cities file their required State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund reports. NLC also launched a new tool to help cities identify federal climate action grant programs. Federal funding for workforce development and energy efficiency is now available as well.

New SLFRF reporting resources

The deadline to file an annual or quarterly State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) report is April 30. All municipalities that received SLFRF funding through the American Rescue Plan Act are required to file a report.

Cities are encouraged to review the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s reporting guide, which provides information on reporting requirements and instructions on how to use the reporting portal. The Treasury Department has several self-help resources, including a new, simplified video on how to report for smaller communities.

Cities can contact the SLFRF help centers at SLFRF@treasury.gov or call (844) 529-9527. Be sure to include your city, state, UEI number, federal tax identification number, and contact information for each email to SLFRF@treasury.gov, along with a detailed description of the problem you need help with.

The National League of Cities (NLC) released a video walkthrough of the reporting portal and a step-by-step guide. NLC will flag any common issues that recipients are facing that cannot be resolved through existing materials or channels for the Treasury Department. However, NLC is unable to provide any individualized service. To notify NLC about such issues, email SLFRFhelp@nlc.org.

National League of Cities launches new federal grant tool

The National League of Cities launched a new tool to help cities identify federal funding sources for climate change-related programs.  

The Federal Funding Sources for Municipal Sustainability Tool is a searchable list of federal grant programs designated for infrastructure and programs that address climate change mitigation, resiliency, waste reduction, air quality, ecosystem restoration, and other sustainability efforts. Users can search, filter, and sort by federal department, eligible uses, and more.

$80 million in funding available for workforce development

The U.S. Department of Labor will provide at least $80 million in funding for workforce development through its Building Pathways to Infrastructure Job Grants Program. The funding is intended to support infrastructure investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and others.

The grant program will fund public-private partnerships that build equitable pathways to infrastructure jobs. The program is designed to be responsive to labor market trends, so applicants are expected to build skills training and work-based learning opportunities that can be agile and respond to the evolving talent needs in the infrastructure sector.

Depending on the type of grant, matching funds are either required or strongly encouraged. Applications are due July 7.

Department of Energy launches competitive energy conservation grant program

The U.S. Department of Energy is accepting concept papers for a competitive energy efficiency grant program. The funding can be used for a wide variety of projects that lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and reduce overall energy use.

The program is open only to local governments that are ineligible for the block grant version of the program. Over 200 cities in California are eligible for funding through block grants. However, they must submit a pre-award application sheet by April 28 to receive funding.

Concept papers for competitive funding are due by June 5. Projects will be selected for their impact on greenhouse gas emissions, community engagement and benefits, and viability. The Energy Department will review the concept papers before advising applicants whether to submit a full application.

The Department will hold a webinar on the competitive program’s design and application process on May 15 at 11:00 a.m. Webinars will be recorded and available online.