Guide to Local Recovery Update: May 10

A new round of infrastructure grant bootcamps is available for smaller cities. The bootcamps will focus on railroad crossing, drinking water, broadband, bridge, and equity grants in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Federal agencies also released a torrent of new grant opportunities for street safety, infrastructure resiliency, infrastructure equity, electric vehicles, rural broadband, energy efficiency, workforce development, and urban forestry.

Infrastructure grant bootcamps for small and mid-sized cities

The Local Infrastructure Hub and the National League of Cities are holding another round of infrastructure grant bootcamps. The five new bootcamps will focus on railroad crossing, drinking water, broadband, bridge, and equity grants in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Participants will have access to subject matter experts, office hours, and individualized coaching sessions, as well as a library of templates, example submissions, and other resources. The bootcamps will last 3-4 months with active participation required each month. By the end of the program, participants will be able to build robust federal grant applications.

The free program is open to cities with populations below 150,000. Registration closes May 31.

$1 billion in funding to improve street safety  

The U.S. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program helps cities prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

Two types of grants are available: Planning and Demonstration Grants help cities develop or supplement a comprehensive safety action plan. This can include goal setting, safety analysis, and certain pilot programs. Implementation Grants provide funding to implement projects identified in an action plan, such as bike networks, speed management strategies, pedestrian safety enhancements, and other multimodal projects. 

Applications are due July 10.

Infrastructure resiliency funding available

A new round of PROTECT funding — also funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — is now available. The competitive grant program improves the resilience of local surface transportation systems against natural disasters and climate change.

The $1.4 billion in funding is split between Planning Grants, Resilience Improvement Grants, Community Resilience and Evacuation Route Grants, and At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure Grants. Eligibility varies depending on the category.

The federal government distributed much of the funding by formula to states. California's PROTECT program guidelines are expected later this month. The National League of Cities released a breakdown of each grant area, as well as potential first steps for applicants.

Federal grant applications are due by Aug. 18.

Upcoming grant can help reverse infrastructure inequities 

The upcoming Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants program will help reconnect neighborhoods divided by infrastructure, mitigate the negative impacts of transportation facilities, and support equitable transportation planning.

Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the program will provide $5 billion in funding over five years, with roughly a third set aside for projects in certain low-income communities. The program is similar to the Reconnecting Communities Program and can complement other federal programs, such as the Safe Streets for All program.

Funding for EV charging and alternative-fueling

The U.S. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for a $2.5 billion electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling grant program: the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program.

Established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program will support projects in urban and rural communities — particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities — as well as those in designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Projects in low- and moderate-income communities that disproportionately experience the consequences of climate change and other pollutants are a key focus of the program.

$8.8 million is available. Applications are due by May 30.

Energy grant resources for small cities

The U.S. Department of Energy released new resources for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) geared towards smaller communities. The program helps cities reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. Only cities that are ineligible for the block grant version of the program can apply for the funding.

In addition to an optional assistance voucher, the Energy Department also released a step-by-step guide for grantees and a technical assistance website.

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 on whether to submit a full application.

Funding available to expand broadband access in rural communities

Rural communities can apply for $20 million in federal grants to develop or expand broadband cooperatives through the new Broadband Technical Assistance Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Eligible projects can cover multiple rural areas. The USDA defines a rural area as “any area not located in a city, town, or incorporated area with a population greater than 20,000, or an urbanized area next to a city, town or incorporated area with a population greater than 50,000 people.”

Cities can use the funding for a broad range of planning, engagement, compliance, construction, and reporting projects. Applicants should consider whether their project will improve economic recovery, ensure equitable access, reduce climate pollution, and increase resilience to climate change.

The program announcement encourages applicants to include the Rural Partners Network in their applications. The deadline to apply for funding is June 20.

$80 million in funding available for workforce development

The U.S. Department of Labor is providing at least $80 million in funding for workforce development through its Building Pathways to Infrastructure Job Grants Program. The funding will help 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 should ensure their projects build skills training and work-based learning opportunities that are agile and can 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.

Expand or protect your community’s urban forest

Up to $1 billion for urban forestry is available through the Urban and Community Forestry grant program, which was funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Cities can use the funding to increase access to urban tree canopies, community engagement, forest resilience, and pest management.

Funding must be matched at least dollar for dollar with non-federal sources. Match waivers are available for proposals that deliver 100% of the funding/program benefits to disadvantaged communities.

Applications are due June 1. Projects will be assessed based on their alignment with Justice40 and the Inflation Reduction Act, State Forest Action Plans, and Final Ten-Year Urban Forestry Action Plan priorities, as well as their technical merits, feasibility, measurable outcomes, and budget.

New NLC resources

The National League of Cities (NLC) released a brief on electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The brief prompts local leaders to think about approaches they want to take to apply for federal EV charging funds or work with the private sector to set EV chargers throughout their communities.

NLC also provided a list of recommendations and policy questions for local leaders to consider in a related blog post.