September 2024 Local Infrastructure Hub Insider

Digest Introduction

Welcome to the Local Infrastructure Hub Insider!

This monthly digest is your guide to the key information you need to submit competitive grant applications that fully leverage Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding and deliver results for your residents. 

The Hub Advantage: To date, the Local Infrastructure Hub has helped cities secure $3 billion in infrastructure and climate funding. Register today for an upcoming event and join that number! 

Upcoming Events

Don’t miss these upcoming events:

🗓 10/15 – Financing Local Greenhouse Gas Reduction Projects: The National Clean Investment Fund: Join us to discuss financing strategies for greenhouse gas reduction projects through the National Clean Investment Fund. Attendees will hear directly from lenders and leave with best practices for accessing funding.  

🗓️ 10/29 – Using Data and Evidence to Win Federal Funding: Understanding the Uniform Grants Guidance: Join the Local Infrastructure Hub as we discuss how revisions to the Office of Management & Budget’s Uniform Grants Guidance can help your city plan and implement impactful infrastructure and climate projects!

Responsible AI for Grant Writing and Reporting

AI can streamline the grant writing process, improve the quality and competitiveness of applications, and increase staff time for strategic planning and community engagement. The Local Infrastructure Hub Tech and Innovation Center recently held a webinar to discuss use cases for AI, such as preparing proposal templates based on NOFOs, composing text, and analyzing and visualizing data for applications.

Webinar Recording: Learn more about the pros and cons of using AI, including ethical considerations, data privacy concerns, and the need for human oversight to ensure accuracy and alignment with community goals. Key takeaways from this session include: 

• Use AI as a support tool, not a replacement.
• Be specific in your prompts.
• Check everything, and use AI to help with your review.
• Start planning for future workflows.

Stay tuned for additional sessions on this topic! 

Grant Application Trainings

💡 Opportunity Spotlight: Register for a Grant Application Training! 

Cities with a population of 150,000 and below are eligible to receive tailored grant support on the following topics: 

• Developing Clean Energy Projects
• Safe Streets and Roads for All
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• Grant Implementation, Compliance and Management

Accessing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds

The Inflation Reduction Act created the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a $27 billion investment to mobilize financing and leverage private capital for clean energy and climate projects that reduce pollution. GGRF is focused on ensuring benefits reach low-income and disadvantaged communities. Cities will apply for GGRF financing through GGRF lenders or through hub nonprofits, not through the EPA itself.

Engagement Map: Check out this chart to find the right GGRF program for you and how to apply. Upcoming Local Infrastructure Hub webinars will let city leaders hear directly from lenders about how to access these dollars for their communities.

Webinar Recording and Summary: Watch administration officials and city leaders discuss how cities can prepare and prioritize green energy projects that are a good fit for GGRF funding.

Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants

The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve recycling and other post-consumer materials management, implement circular economy strategies, and improve local waste management systems. Applications are due December 20, 2024 for cities and March 14, 2024 for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. 

Winning Applications: Use these winning applications for guidance in crafting your own successful application.

Webinar Recording and Summary: Watch this webinar for project ideas and information about this funding opportunity.  

Creative Project Ideas: Interested in this grant but unsure how to use it in your city? Check out these strategies for ideas.

Featured Resources

Build America, Buy America: Learn more about this policy requiring most federal grantees to use American-made products in their infrastructure projects. 

What’s Working: Read this blog about how Mayor Malik D. Evans is turning brownfields into green jobs in Rochester, New York and how sustainability efforts can drive both growth and equity. 

Reconnecting the Split City with Federal Funds: Learn how Pocatello, Idaho is working with the Local Infrastructure Hub to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and deliver meaningful results for its residents in this opinion piece in the Idaho State Journal.

Checklist for a Strong Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience Grant Application: Most U.S. Department of Transportation discretionary grants include selection criteria associated with climate change. Use this checklist to submit a strong application.  

Funding Opportunities

Inflation Reduction Act Direct Pay Program: Ongoing

• The details: Tax credits for cities to finance clean energy investments. 
• Explainer: This report describes eligible uses for direct pay.

EPA Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) Programs: Ongoing

• The details: Application support for projects financed through State Revolving Funds or other EPA-supported funding opportunities, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.  

Bridge Planning and Investment Projects: Bridge Project Grants due November 1, 2024

• The details: For fiscal years 2023 through 2026, up to $9.62 billion for Bridge Project grant applications and $80 million for Planning Project grant applications to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. 
• Investing in the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in Connecticut: Check out this case story for best practices.

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program: Due November 21, 2024

• The details: $2 billion to fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.
• Winning Strategies: Learn how to  submit a competitive application. 
• Tucson, Arizona worked with Amistades, Inc. to secure this grant to address heat mitigation in the city’s underserved neighborhoods. 

🆕 Low Carbon Transportation Materials Grants Program: Due November 25, 2024 

• The details: $2 billion to fund low carbon materials that create less pollution by reducing the levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions, including concrete and cement, glass, asphalt mix, and steel. 

🆕 National Scenic Byways Program: Due December 16, 2024

• The details: ~$27 million to implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads (America’s Byways®), state scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and to plan, design and develop a state or Indian Tribe scenic byway program.

Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program: Due December 20, 2024

• The details: $39 million to decrease household food waste; expand compost markets and sales; and inform the public about new or existing residential food waste composting programs, including what materials are accepted, how to decrease physical contamination and information for increasing collection rates.

National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Protection and Restoration Competition: Due January 9, 2025

• The details: $13.5 million for coastal habitat restoration; coastal habitat restoration planning, engineering and design; and coastal land conservation projects.

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program: Due January 13, 2025 

• The details: $1.5 billion to improve road safety and ease of movement around communities, make transportation infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather, and improve supply chains to keep costs down for consumers. 
• RAISE in Lincoln, Nebraska: The City of Lincoln secured a RAISE construction grant to achieve a decades-long goal of building a downtown mobility hub.

Want to share your winning application with fellow grant seekers? Have a question about a NOFO? Contact Miranda Alamilla at [email protected]. 

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