Guide to Local Recovery Update: Sept. 13

A new round of infrastructure grant bootcamps is available for small and mid-sized cities. The bootcamps will focus on infrastructure grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Local governments also still have time to apply for key economic, clean energy, and wildfire defense grant programs.

Infrastructure grant bootcamps for small and mid-sized cities

The Local Infrastructure Hub is accepting applications for a series of free grant bootcamps focused on funding opportunities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. The bootcamps are open to local governments with 150,000 or fewer residents.

These bootcamps will provide communities with the resources and tools they need to build a robust federal grant application. Participants will have access to best-in-class experts, office hours, individualized coaching sessions, a library of templates, and other resources.

Each bootcamp is focused on a specific grant program or set of programs.  

• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant Program. Provides investments in road, rail, transit, and port projects to enhance freight and passenger transportation networks.
• Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program. Supports local government efforts to achieve digital equity and promote digital inclusion and broader internet access.
• Climate Action Bootcamp. Provides an overview of climate action planning and federal funding opportunities for projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in communities. This bootcamp will also guide cities through the first steps of creating a Climate Pollution Reduction Plan and help cities explore possible clean energy projects.
• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. Assists communities as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The program aims to shift the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and instead focus efforts on proactive investment in community resilience.
• Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program. Helps communities with demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems to improve transportation efficiency and safety.
• The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. Supports local communities through investments in strategies to harden resilience, in plans for flood mitigation, and in reducing the risk of damage before a disaster.

The bootcamps will last 3-4 months, with active participation required each month. The program is open to mayors and municipal staff with a wide range of job functions, including infrastructure management, budget, grants management, and community engagement.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

$200 million in flexible funding for economic development in “persistently distressed communities”

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications for its Recompete Pilot Program. Authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, the economic development program targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment trails the national average.

The program will invest $200 million in flexible funding in organizations that have a clear understanding of local conditions and can create pathways to good jobs that are shared equitably throughout the community. Awards will support a wide range of implementation activities, including workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, planning, and predevelopment.

EDA separated the application process into two phases. The Phase 1 application deadline is Oct. 5.

U.S. Forest Service releases new round of wildfire defense grants

The U.S. Forest Service is accepting applications for its Community Wildfire Defense Grant program. Now in its second year, the program helps at-risk communities plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire. Cities can use the funding to develop community wildfire protection plans or implement projects in those plans that are less than 10 years old.

The program also helps communities in the wildland-urban interface meet the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy: maintain resilient landscapes, create fire-adapted communities, and improve wildfire response. The Forest Service will prioritize projects that:

• Are in an area with a high or very high wildfire hazard potential.
• Benefit a low-income community.
• Are in a community impacted by a severe disaster within the previous 10 years that increased wildfire risk and/or hazard.

Organizations within at-risk communities must apply by Oct. 31. 

New energy program supports scalable energy projects in disadvantaged communities

The federal government opened applications for Energy Future Grants. The program funds partnerships that advance clean energy programs in disadvantaged communities. The first-of-its-kind program will support at least 50 multijurisdictional teams — ideally 3-4 or more local, tribal, and state government partners.

Teams will partner with community organizations to turn novel ideas into scalable solutions that address barriers to clean energy deployment. At least 40% of those benefits must flow to disadvantaged communities. Applications are due Sept. 30.

Green economy webinar

The National League of Cities is holding a Sept. 27 webinar on clean energy and job growth. Recent government investment to modernize and decarbonize America’s infrastructure has spurred private investment in sustainable technologies, manufacturing, and workforce training. More than 100,000 US jobs were created less than six months after the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law.

Cities also have access to clean energy incentives including solar, electrification, microgrid, and battery storage for the first time ever. Join public and private sector leaders to learn how to navigate these new incentives and opportunities.

City officials looking for additional information about the American Rescue Plan Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, or additional recovery tools can visit the Cal Cities Guide to Local Recovery portal.