Federal

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants

This program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Most state and local
    governments
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Federally-recognized Tribes

Eligible Projects:
Grants may be used to pay part of the costs of developing a complete application for USDA Rural Development Water & Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs.

Funding Source:
United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
Maximum of $30,000 or 75 percent of the predevelopment planning costs.

Funding Deadline:
Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.

Contact:
Help is always available through your local RD office.
Participating non-profit associations also offer assistance and training. You can work with your local Rural Development staff to learn about available help in your area.

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-predevelopment-planning-grants

USDA Solid Waste Management Grants

This program reduces or eliminates pollution of water resources by providing funding for organizations that provide technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Public bodies
  • Nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes
  • Academic institutions

All applicants must have:

  • Proven ability, background or experience to successfully complete a project similar to the one proposed
  • Legal authority and capacity to provide technical assistance or training

Eligible Projects:

  • Evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources.
  • Provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active landfills.
  • Provide technical assistance or training to help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill.
  • Provide technical assistance or training to prepare for closure and future use of a landfill site.

Funding Source:
US Department of Agriculture Rural Development

Funding Amount:
N/A

Deadline:
Application window is open from October 1 – December 31 each year.

Contact:
Contact the grant manager at water-rd@usda.gov.

More Information:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/solid-waste-management-grants

USDA Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Agricultural producers
    • An entity directly engaged in production of agricultural products where at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
  • Small businesses
    • Must be located in eligible rural areas and one of the following:
      • Private for-profit entity (sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation)
      • A Cooperative [including those qualified under Section 501(c)(12) of IRS Code]
      • An electric utility (including a Tribal or governmental electric utility) that provides service to rural consumers and operates independent of direct government control)
      • A Tribal corporation or other Tribal business entities that are chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 USC 477) or have similar structures and relationships with their Tribal entity without regard to the resources of the Tribal government.
    • Must meet the Small Business Administration size standards in accordance with 13 CFR 121.

NOTE: Agricultural producers and small businesses must have NO outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgment or debarment.

Eligible Projects:

Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:

  • Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
  • Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
  • Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
  • Hydrogen.
  • Small and large wind generation.
  • Small and large solar generation.
  • Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

  • High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
  • Insulation.
  • Lighting.
  • Cooling or refrigeration units.
  • Doors and windows.
  • Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
  • Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
  • Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

Energy Efficiency Improvement applications must contain an Energy Audit, or Energy Assessment (depending on Total Project Costs) that complies with Appendix A to RD Instructions 4280-B

Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:

  • Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
  • Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs.
  • Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

Renewable Energy System Grants:

$2,500 minimum.
$1 million maximum.

Energy Efficiency Grants:

$1,500 minimum.
$500,000 maximum.

Deadlines:

Open for Fiscal Years 2023 & 2024 Application Windows: June 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2024 June 30, 2024 September 30, 2024

Contact:
Gary Pereira, USDA Rural Development 9025 River Road
Marcy, NY 13403
Tel: (315) 570-2233 gary.pereira@usda.gov http://www.rd.usda.gov/ny

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in New York

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Eligible Recipients:

This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Private nonprofits
  • Federally-recognized tribes

Eligible Projects:
Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

  • Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
  • Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
  • Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
  • Storm water collection, transmission and disposal

In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

  • Legal and engineering fees
  • Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
  • Start-up operations and maintenance
  • Interest incurred during construction
  • Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
  • Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
  • See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
Long-term, low-interest loans. If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.

Funding Deadline:
Applications are accepted year round and may be filed electronically using RD Apply. The RD Apply Customer Help Guide is provided to help you get started and work through the application process.

Contact:
Contact the local representative who serves your area
Participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training.

Or, participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training.

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants

This program helps qualified, private nonprofits provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems; helps applicants prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants; and helps associations improve the operation and maintenance of water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas.

Eligible Recipients:
Nonprofits that have the proven ability, background, experience and capacity to provide technical assistance or training on a national, regional or state basis.

What is an eligible area? Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less — check eligible addresses. Tribal lands in rural areas.

Eligible Projects:

  • To identify and evaluate solutions to water problems related to source, storage, treatment, distribution, collection, treatment and disposal.
  • To provide technical assistance and training to improve management, operations and maintenance of water and waste disposal systems.
  • To prepare water and waste disposal loan and grant applications.

Funding Source:
United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
This is a reimbursement grant. Grants are subject to the availability of funds.

Deadline:
Single-state applications are accepted annually through your local RD office from October 1 – December 31. Multi-state or national applications are accepted through the RD national office.

Contact:
Contact your local RD office
National Office contact: Lorrie Davis
(202) 720-1938
Lorrie.davis@usda.gov

More Information:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants

USDA SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities & Households

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes

Areas to be served must be rural and financially distressed:

  • Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less
  • Have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data

Eligible Projects:

The predevelopment planning costs must be related to a proposed project that meets the following requirements:

  • Construct, enlarge, extend or improve rural water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater disposal facilities
  • Construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, fences or utilities, and to make other public improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities
  • Relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or utilities, and other private improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount: TBD

Funding Deadline:
Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.

Contact:
USDA Rural Development | New York State Office
Brian Murray, Acting State Director
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street, Suite 357
Syracuse, NY 13202-2541
(315) 477-6400
www.rd.usda.gov/ny

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/search-special-evaluation-assistance-rural-communities-and-households

USDA Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. Through creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners work to address our nation’s water quality, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations.

Eligible Recipients:
National and State CIG – all non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. All CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers.

Eligible Projects:
CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research.

CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of:
• Approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches; and
• Conservation technologies, practices, and systems.

Projects or activities under CIG must:
• Comply with all applicable Federal, Tribal, State, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project;
• Use a technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;
• Demonstrate, evaluate, and verify the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field;
• Adapt and transfer conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption; and
• Introduce proven conservation technologies and approaches to a geographic area or agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use.

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Funding Amount:
The total amount of Federal funding the agency expects to award through this opportunity is $15 million. The agency expects to make between 15 and 25 awards. The maximum CIG award is set annually by the NRCS Chief and historically has been either $1 million or $2 million. An applicant’s CIG funding request must be matched at least 1:1 with non-federal funding.

Application Deadline:
A CIG funding notice is announced each year.

Contact:
Complete applications must be submitted through grants.gov and e-mailed to the NRCS National Office at nrcscig@wdc.usda.gov.

More Information:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig/

Water and Wastewater Revolving Fund Grants

The Revolving Fund (RFP) Grant Program assists communities with water and wastewater systems. Qualified private non-profit organizations will receive RFP grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible entities. This grant program is to serve a rural area with a population not in excess
of 10,000.

Eligible Recipients:
Grants may be made to a private non-profit corporation that has a tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, has the legal capacity and authority to carry out the purpose, has a proven record of successfully operating a revolving loan fund to rural areas, has no delinquent debt to the Federal Government nor any outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt, and demonstrates that it possesses the financial, technical and managerial capacity to comply with Federal and State laws and requirements.

Eligible Projects:
The grant recipients will use the grant funds to establish a revolving loan fund. The loans will be made to eligible entities to finance pre-development costs of water and wastewater projects or short-term small capital improvement projects not part of the regular operations and maintenance of current water and wastewater systems. The amount of financing to an eligible entity shall not exceed $100,000 and shall be repaid in a term not to exceed 10 years. The rate shall be determined in the approved grant work plan.

Funding Source:
USDA Rural Development

Funding Amount:
Varies

Deadline:
Recurring

Contact:
Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) Staff

More Information:
www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-revolvingfund.html

Water and Waste Water Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants

Through technical assistance and training, this program helps private non-profits (a) identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems; (b) assist applicants in preparing applications for water and waste water disposal loans/grants; and (c) assist associations in improving operation and maintenance of existing water and waste water facilities in eligible rural areas.

Eligible Recipients:
Non-profits capable of providing technical assistance to Tribal Lands or rural areas with 10,000 or fewer people.

Eligible Projects:

  • Assist in preparing water and waste disposal and grant applications.
  • Provide technical assistance and training to improve existing water and waste disposal systems’ management, operations, and maintenance.
  • Identify and evaluate solutions to water problems related to source, storage, treatment, and distribution, treatment, collection, and disposal.

Funding Source:
USDA Rural Development

Funding Amount:
Varies

Deadline:
Recurring

Contact:
USDA-RD
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street,
Suite 357
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-477-6400
www.rudev.usda.gov/ny/
Or: Contact Local Field Office

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants

Rural Transit Assistance Program

This program provides a source of funding to assist in the design and implementation of training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the needs of transit operators in non-urbanized areas.

Eligible Recipients:
States, local governments, and providers of rural transit services.

Eligible Projects:
Recipients may use funds to support non-urbanized transit activities in four categories:  training, technical assistance, research, and related support services. Activities should provide maximum opportunity for the participation of rural transit operators, both public and private, in identifying and establishing priority areas of need for transportation research, technical assistance, training, and related support services in other than urbanized areas.

Funding Source:
US Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration

Funding Amount:
Up to $65,000

Deadline:
Recurring

Contact:
FTA Office of Program Management
East Building
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-2053

More Information:
http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13093_3554.html