convey water to or from surface water or groundwater storage. The Department will hold its final stakeholder sessions this month and open applications later this spring.
- Emergency Watershed Protection Program – This existing Department of Agriculture program will provide $300 million in technical and financial assistance to project sponsors for the design and construction of measures to help repair damages from a recent disaster. Applications open in February.
Other Opportunities
The law further significantly increased the amount of non-competitive formula funding that will flow first to states and then on to cities and local governments. Examples include funding available through Surface Transportation Block Grant sub-allocations for local governments, which now include significantly expanded the flexibilities for cities to determine how these funds can be used, as well as increases for states’ Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. We encourage cities to reach out to the state or regional offices for various federal agencies, as well as state governments’ infrastructure coordinators, to better understand forthcoming increases in formula funding.
Getting Ready to Apply for and Receive Federal Infrastructure Funds
Building a better America is a shared endeavor no one can do alone, and investing federal infrastructure dollars will require significant coordination between cities, states, Tribal governments, community stakeholders, and other key partners.
Earlier this month, the White House Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator sent a letter to Governors recommending a series of preparatory actions, including appointing infrastructure coordinators to manage the flow of funds to their states. Cities can also begin to coordinate across their departments and with metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) to:
- Prioritize your community’s capital needs and develop a project pipeline – taking time to think about the projects previously considered impossible due to lack of funding or regional coordination. This is a once-in-a-generation funding opportunity that will require bold, inclusive thinking.
- Use the forthcoming Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook to identify federal funding streams to target.
- Ensure all transit, railway, road, highway, and bridge projects are a part of your MPO’s Transportation Improvement Plan.
- Begin mapping sites for electric vehicle and alternative fuel charging stations.
- Inventory and map the lead pipes in your city. Read through the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan here for additional federal resources for this effort.
- Work with your state’s broadband agency to ensure your city or region’s needs are appropriately mapped and inventoried.
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