Investments for health, prosperity

Infrastructure grants programs

The Rural Center offers three types of grants to help rural communities pay for needed infrastructure projects. Each addresses a distinct need. Two types of grants under the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program fund water and sewer projects addressing public health and environmental issues. Grants may cover planning activities associated with infrastructure development or actual construction of water and sewer projects. Depending on the source of funding, applicants may be required to document a critical need to be met. The Economic Infrastructure Grants Program assists with infrastructure construction that will lead directly to new, private sector jobs. In addition to water and sewer, grants may be used for natural gas, stormwater, broadband and certain transportation projects.

In fiscal year 2012, we have $1.1 million in appropriation funds to offer for planning grants.

Go to application and reporting forms

Here's a brief summary:

Appropriation-Funded Planning Grants

Funds: Planning (such as feasibility studies, capital improvement plans and engineering studies) for water and sewer infrastructure

Circumstances: Funding available for rural communities, all tiers

Amount available: Up to $40,000

Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties or regional agencies

Match required: Yes

Clean Water Planning Grants

Funds: Planning (such as feasibility studies, capital improvement plans and engineering studies) for water and sewer infrastructure. Funds limited, please call.

Circumstances: Funding available for economically distressed (Tier 1 and Tier 2) counties or communities within those counties and for economically distressed communities within Tier 3 counties. Tier 3 counties are not eligible.

Amount available: Up to $40,000

Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties or regional agencies

Match required: Yes

Clean Water Supplemental Grants

Funds: Water and sewer construction. Funds limited, please call.

Circumstances: Depending on the source of funding, priority may be given to projects that eliminate verifiable threats to public health, achieve significant environmental protection or retain jobs in the private sector.

Amount available: Up to $500,000 or, for communities with strong economic needs, up to $1 million

Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties

Match required: Yes

Economic Infrastructure Grants

Funds: Grants may be used for water and sewer, natural gas and broadband. In addition, grants at a reduced amount may be used for access roads, rail spurs, stormwater, water storage tanks, and wastewater pre-treatment facilities.

Circumstances: Projects that create private sector jobs in new or expanding business(es) served by the infrastructure

Amount available: For public water and sewer improvements: $10,000 per new job up to a maximum of $1 million or one-half the project cost, whichever is less. For all other projects: $5,000 per new job up to a maximum of $500,000 or one-half the project cost, whichever is less.

Who may apply: Local governments in rural county or Tier 1 urban county

Match required: Yes