Economic Recovery Stimulus Package

Energy Grant Request for Proposal announced Sept. 25, 2009

Gov. Jennifer Granholm and MI Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) officials announced the Request For Proposal (RFP) for both the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) for non-entitlement communities (less than 35,000 in population) and the LED Demonstration grant for entitlement and non-entitlement communities. The grant funding is being made available because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) but will be distributed through competitive grants by DELEG. The RFP is now available on the DELEG Web site at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice. Grant requests are due by within 30 days. 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) are expected to begin the process of soliciting applications by the end of the year for the second round of their respective stimulus-funded broadband initiatives. A total of $4.7 billion for broadband grants is available through NTIA's Broadband Technology Program, while an additional $2.5 billion will be awarded by RUS's Broadband Initiatives Program as grants and loans in Rounds One and Two. 

The clock is ticking for local governments as the federal funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), referred to as the federal stimulus package, for broadband push forward. With the window for Round One applications now closed (award announcements are pending), the State of Michigan is urging local government officials to actively engage in the effort to bring broadband connectivity to their  communities. 

It’s not too late to champion your community but you must engage now.

1) Review Round One applications at www.michigan.gov/broadband. Click on "MI’s Collaborative Effort" and "Summary of Round 1 Applications." Note:  Round one award announcements are expected to be released in December 2009.

2) Is your community covered by any of the proposed plans?

IF NO: Reach out to providers with plans from neighboring communities (see Plan for Round Two below)

IF YES: Partner with that provider NOW (the State can help):

• Invite the provider to the table along with community anchor institutions with strong interests in broadband (schools, libraries, medical facilities, etc.)
• Discuss proposed coverage, remaining needs, plan for implementation (if awarded), and permitting needs
• Stay engaged!

3) Plan for Round Two

The Round Two application window is expected in January 2010. (It is not confirmed whether there will be a Round Three.)

• Mobilize community anchor institutions  and identify needs for broadband coverage
• Seek out providers willing to service your area (the State can help)
• Identify available assets for providers such as water towers and antennas
• Work now on plans to streamline process for permits and licenses
• Build a “shovel ready” plan with your provider
• Solicit / provide endorsements for the application

4) Communicate with the State

• Visit www.michigan.gov/broadband and sign-up for email updates on the ARRA funding programs and requirements
• Contact the atate via email (broadband@michigan.gov) with questions or requests for assistance 

Access to federal stimulus dollars requires townships to take further action

On Feb. 17, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), referred to as the federal stimulus package.

The Michigan Townships Association (MTA) submitted a list of approximately 500 township projects to the governor for consideration of federal economic stimulus funding. MTA has been working with Gov. Jennifer Granholm's staff to coordinate township projects for possible federal stimulus funding.

The township list represents a broad range of projects, including numerous water and sewer infrastructure projects, and projects to bring Internet service to rural communities not currently served. The list is available by clicking on the following link: http://www.michigantownships.org/downloads/stimulus_projects_in_michigan_030309.htm

Now that MTA has submitted all known township requests for federal stimulus funding to the governor’s office for consideration, the next step to secure that funding begins in earnest.

Most federal stimulus dollars going to local units will flow through existing federal or state programs and in most cases will require the township to take action--in addition to having submitted the projects to MTA--to secure funding through these existing programs. 

These additional efforts may include filing an application and other materials, as well as filing a Municipal Finance Qualifying Statement. Townships may need to consult an engineering firm and bond counsel for assistance. See the links below for more information.

eCivis, LLC

Grants research, tracking and compliance support for elected officials and non-profits 

All Programs 

For a comprehensive list of links to Michigan-administered ARRA loan and grant opportunities for local governments, click here.

To help navigate this process, The Ferguson Group--a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm that oversees the National Association of Towns and Townships--has created an analysis that provides details on the majority of programs funded by this legislation. Download "Accessing Stimulus Dollars: A Guide for Local Governments" here.

In addition, a Web site has been created by the Granholm Administration to relay information to interested parties on future steps that need to be taken to continue the process for receiving federal stimulus funds. The Web site also includes a list of projects submitted to the governor's office: www.michigan.gov/recovery.

Water/Sewer Infrastructure

Many of the township projects submitted for possible funding fall under either water or sewer infrastructure.  The existing programs for helping to fund water and sewer infrastructure fall under the following federal and state programs:

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program (water and sewer)

Those wanting to pursue loan/grant funding through the USDA program should contact their regional representative immediately to discuss next steps. Click here to access a list of USDA contact people. The following links will provide you more background information to apply for funding through the USDA program:

USDA Rural and Community Development Web site

Pre-Application Guide for Water and Waste Loans and Grants

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (sewer)

The MDEQ Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low interest loans for sewer projects. The deadline for submitting project plans is July 1. Additional information can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_3515_4143---,00.html.

MDEQ Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (water)

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality offers a low interest loan program for drinking water infrastructure projects. The deadline for submitting project plans is May 1 to be eligible for the next round of funding. Additional information on the MDEQ Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is available at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_3515_3517---,00.html.

Buildings and Facilities

Other projects involve buildings and facilities:

USDA Rural Community Facilities Program

The USDA also has a Rural Community Facilities Program which helps provide seed money for municipal buildings. For contact information, click here. Additional information on this program can be obtained by clicking here:

USDA Rural and Community Development Web site

Pre-application Guide for Community Facilities Program Loans & Grants

Roads and Bridges

Townships will also benefit from the stimulus funds designated for road and bridge projects.  While townships do not have direct authority over roads and bridges, nearly $100 million per year is provided by townships to county road commissions for local road and bridge projects. The federal stimulus funding will provide much-needed funding to finance road and bridge projects at the state and local government levels. All such projects need to follow the normal process of working through your Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or Rural Task Force.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

This program provides federal grants to units of local government, Indian tribes, states, and territories to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and for improvements in energy efficiency. Additional information on this program can be obtained by clicking here:

http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/#le1

Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant

Designed to provide financial assistance to furnish broadband service in rural, economically challenged communities where such service does not currently exist, these funds may be utilized to deploy broadband transmission service to critical community facilities, rural residents and rural businesses, and to construct, acquire or expand, equip and operate a community center that provides free access to broadband services to community residents for at least two years. Grants will be awarded, on a competitive basis, to entities serving communities of up to 20,000 inhabitants to ensure rural consumers enjoy the same quality and range of telecommunications service as are available in urban and suburban communities. The grant deadline is June 19, 2009. For more information, click here.