Hello from the BellTower Team! July’s newsletter brings updates from FDEP whose Resilient Florida grants have just released and are open for application until September. You will also find opportunities for transportation and environmental protection. Please click the “Schedule a call” button to schedule a call with us today and discuss your project ideas.
NEA Our Town
National Endowment for the Arts
Due Date: August 1, 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $150,000 per award
The purpose of this program is to support activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities over the long term. Applicants must have completed at least 3 years of arts programming prior to the application deadline.
Public Humanities Projects
National Endowment for the Humanities
Due Date: August 14, 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $400,000 per award
The Public Humanities Projects Program supports projects that bring the ideas of the humanities to life for general audiences through public programming. Projects must engage humanities scholarship analyze significant themes in disciplines such as history, literature, ethics, and art history. Awards support projects intended to reach broad and diverse public audiences in non-classroom settings in the United States. Projects should engage with ideas that are accessible to the general public and employ appealing interpretative formats.
Public Humanities support projects in three categories: Exhibitions, Historic Places, and Humanities Discussions. These grants will also be divided into two different funding levels: Planning and Implementation. Proposed projects may include complementary components such as a museum exhibition accompanied by a mobile app. Projects may be international, national, regional, or local in focus.
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program
Department of Transportation
Due Date: August 28, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $800,000,000
Up to $800 million is available for the CFI Round 2 grant cycle for new applicants while $521.2 is available for previous applicants. Grants are provided to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure in certain locations or along designated AFCs that will be accessible to all drivers of EVs, hydrogen vehicles, propane vehicles, and natural gas vehicles. There are two categories in the Charging and Fueling Discretionary Grant Program: 1) Community Charging and Fueling; and 2) Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants.
Community Program grants may be awarded to any project that is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to expand or fill the gaps in access to eligible infrastructure. Projects may be located on any public road or in other publicly accessible locations, such as parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and public parks, or in publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by a private entity. Corridor program grant projects must be located along a designated alternative fuel corridor.
FY24 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program
Department of Transportation
Due Date: August 29, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $1,000,000,000 total funding available
The purpose of SS4A grants is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plan development and refinement and implementation focused on all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micromobility users, and commercial vehicle operators. The program provides funding to help strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety and save lives and is designated to meet the needs of diverse local, Tribal, and regional communities that differ dramatically in size, location, and experience administering Federal funding.
The SS4A program provides funding for two main types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants for comprehensive safety action plans, including supplemental safety planning, and/or safety demonstration activities to inform an Action Plan. To be eligible for an Implementation Grant, an applicant must have an existing qualifying Action Plan in place while Planning and Demonstration grants fund the development of an Action Plan.
Resilient Florida Planning Grants
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: September 1, 2024
Match: N/A
Funding: TBD
This grant supports resilience planning efforts, including further assessment of vulnerabilities of critical assets and applying with “Peril of Flood” statute, which helps to ensure coastal communities will recover and move forward faster after natural disasters.
Resilient Florida Implementation Grants
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: September 1, 2024
Match: 50%
Funding: TBD
This grant provides funding for infrastructure projects that address risks identified in a local government vulnerability assessment.
Beautification Program
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Due Date: October 1, 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $102,000
FDOT’s Beautification Grant Program aims to enhance the attractiveness of landscapes and facilities on the State Transportation System. Projects are typically installed on FDOT Right-of-Ways but can extend into publicly-owned properties that are contiguous and visible from the FDOT Right-of-Way. Eligible projects include: purchase and installation of plant materials, soil amendments and irrigation systems; and site preparation.
Applicants should work closely with their District Grant Coordinator throughout the application process. Draft grant applications are due to the District Coordinator by August 14, 2024 for review. Letters of authorization from District Coordinators should be submitted with applications.
Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program
Department of Transportation
Due Date: September 30, 2024
Match: Varies based on grant type
Funding: $200,000,000
The BIL established the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program to help reconnect communities previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure. Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program aims to remove surface transportation structures (e.g. highways or viaducts) to increase connectivity in disadvantaged or underserved communities, improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation and foster equitable development and restoration.
The program supports related planning and capacity-building activities in these communities. The grant program supports equitable transportation planning and allows residents to become more active in remedying transportation infrastructure that has negatively impacted them and the surrounding environment. RCN includes three separate grant types: Community Planning Grants; Capital Construction Grants; and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants.
Bridge Investment Program (BIP)
Department of Transportation
Due Date: November 1, 2024
Match: 20%
Funding: Up to $675,000,000 total funding for FY25
The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) provides funding to improve existing bridges in poor condition or at risk of falling into poor condition, and to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges.
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: November 21, 2024
Match: N/A
Funding: Up to $2,000,000,000
EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.
This competition is being launched in order to meet the goals and objectives of two Executive Orders: EO 14008 and EO 13985 issued by the Biden Administration that demonstrate the EPA’s and Administration’s commitment to achieving environmental justice and embedding environmental justice into Agency programs.
Please note: This program requires a collaboration with a Community-Based Organization.
Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) Program
National Renewable Energy Library
Due Date: Rolling
Match: N/A
Funding: N/A
The Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) Program reduces barriers to zero-emission bus deployment by providing school and transit bus fleets with free technical assistance to develop comprehensive and customized fleet electrification. Fleets also have the adoption of free deployment assistance from NREL at the completion of their plan.
Please note: CBPA is not an incentive program, and fleets do not receive direct funding–rather selected applicants will be allocated technical assistance resources by NREL.
Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Due Date: Rolling
Match: N/A
Funding: TBD
The FWC, pursuant to sections 206.606 and 823.11 F.S., has established a program to provide grants to reimburse local governments for removing derelict vessels from the public waters of the state. The program is funded by an appropriation from the Florida Legislature.
The FWC’s Derelict Vessel Grant Guidelines allow for receipt of grant applications on a continuing basis with no deadlines as long as funding is available. The FWC will pay for 100% reimbursement to the grantee for all eligible vessels in the grant contract.
On the horizon…
Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: Typically opens in Late Summer/Early Fall
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $19,000,000 allocated for FY2022-2026
Under the authorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA established the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program to assist underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities for the purpose of increasing drinking water facility resilience to natural hazards. Eligible applicants include public water systems, water systems located on areas governed by Tribes, and States on behalf of underserved communities.
EPA seeks to support these communities at the drinking water system level to overcome challenges caused by operational, environmental, and financial resource issues they face. This funding aims to increase sustainability of drinking water systems throughout the country and ensure that clean drinking water is accessible to all.
Eligible projects include water conservation/water use efficiency; modification or relocation of existing drinking water system infrastructure; design or construction of desalination facilities; water supply enhancement; drinking water infrastructure resiliency measures against natural hazards; elevating, relocating, or floodproofing instrumentation; retrofitting occupied utility buildings to prevent collapse; designing new facilities, control rooms, and offices that can withstand high winds.
Coastal Partnership Initiative Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Due Date: To be released in Summer/Fall 2024
Match: 1:1
Funding: TBD
Through the Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI), the Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) makes federal-specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funds available on a competitive basis to Florida’s 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within the counties’ boundaries that are required to use a coastal element in their comprehensive plan.
The CPI Program was developed to promote the protection and effective management of Florida’s coastal resources in four specific priority areas: Resilient Communities; Coastal Resource Stewardship; Access to Coastal Resources; and Working Waterfronts.
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: To be released in late 2024
Match: TBD
Funding: Up to $5,000,000 allocated for FY2022-2026
Under the authorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA established the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program to assist medium and large public water systems with protecting drinking water sources from natural hazards, extreme weather events, and cybersecurity threats.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program
US Environmental Protection Agency
Due Date: TBD
Match: TBD
Funding: Approximately $40,000,000
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants Infrastructure Grant Program provides grants to implement the National Recycling Strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure; support improvements to local post-consumer materials management and recycling programs; and assist local waste management authorities in making improvements to local waste management systems.
Eligible activities include but are not limited to:
- innovative programs that provide or increase access to prevention, reuse, and recycling in areas that currently lack access
- the purchase of recycling equipment, including but not limited to sorting equipment, waste metering, trucks, processing facilities, etc.
- upgrading to material recovery facilities (MRFs) such as optical sorters, artificial intelligence, etc.;
- developments of or upgrades to composting facilities or anaerobic digesters to increase capacity for organics recycling;
- development of or upgrades to curbside collection programs or drop-off stations for organics
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program
US Department of Agriculture
Due Date: Rolling deadline
Match: TBD
Funding: TBD
The WFPO Program provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments, and tribal organizations to help plan and implement authorized watershed projects for the purpose of: Flood Prevention; Watershed Protection; Public Recreation; Public Fish and Wildlife; Agricultural Water Management; Municipal and Industrial Water Supply; and Water Quality Management.
Please note: All Watershed Management Projects must have a local sponsor that will serve as the fiscal agent, provide project management and oversight throughout each different phase of construction, implementation, and project lifespan. The project sponsor will initiate a request for assistance from their local Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) Office to develop a preliminary feasibility study to help communities consider sustainable climate resilient solutions to address watershed resource concerns. A watershed plan must be approved and in place prior to the initiation of any corrective land treatment or structural solutions.
Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
Economic Development Administration
Due Date: TBD
Match: Yes
Funding: Up to $5,000,000 per applicant
The EDA has authority to meet the full range of communities’ and regions’ economic and development needs from planning and technical assistance to construction of infrastructure. EDA funds community or regionally generated ideas and assists communities to advance to the next level of economic development. It supports bottom-up strategies that build on regional assets to spur economic growth and resiliency and encourages its grantees throughout the country to develop initiatives that present new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.
Each funded project must be consistent with one of EDA’s Investment Priorities: 1) Equity; 2) Recovery and Resilience; 3) Workforce Development; 4) Manufacturing; 5) Technology-Based Economic Development; 6) Environmentally Sustainable Economic Development; and 7) Exports and Foreign Direct Investment.
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