Funding is a vital part of any project, but when local funds are limited, you may need to turn to a variety of grant funding sources. Keck & Wood has extensive experience with helping our clients leverage their local dollars to tap into State and Federal grant and loan programs. Our experience can help you move your project forward with assistance from multiple funding sources by aligning your needs with their requirements. We have offices located in Duluth and Fayetteville, Georgia and Rock Hill and North Charleston, South Carolina.
Services Include:
• USDA Rural Development
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
• Rural Infrastructure Authority
• US Fish & Wildlife – Fish Passage Program
• EPA 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants
• Community Development Block Grants
• USDOC Economic Development Administration
• GDOT Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) Grant Program
• FHWA Transportation Alternatives Program
• FHWA Transportation Enhancement Program
• US National Park Service – Land and Water Conservation Fund
• SC Park and Recreation Development Fund
• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
• Atlanta Regional Commission – Livable Centers Initiative Grants
USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development program provides a range of grant funding sources, ranging from business development grants to utilities development and infrastructure. The aim of USDA Rural Development is to help improve the quality of life in rural America and support economic development, such as by providing USDA land loans. Keck & Wood has done many water and wastewater projects using USDA’s Rural Utilities Service funds.
US National Park Service – Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides matching grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Keck & Wood worked with the City of York, SC to use $710,000 (50% LWCF, 50% local match) to rehabilitate and enhance an existing urban park. Learn more.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
The CWSRF program is a federal-state partnership that provides communities a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. The types of projects funded are: municipal wastewater facilities; control nonpoint sources of pollution; build decentralized wastewater treatment systems; create green infrastructure projects; protect estuaries; other water quality projects. States are responsible for the operation of their CWSRF program. Under the CWSRF, states may provide various types of assistance, including loans, refinancing, purchasing, or guaranteeing local debt and purchasing bond insurance. States may also set specific loan terms, including interest rates from zero percent to market rate and repayment periods of up to 30 years. States have the flexibility to target financial resources to their specific community and environmental needs.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
The DWSRF is a financial assistance program to help water systems and states to achieve the health protection objectives of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The types of projects funded are: improving drinking water treatment; fixing leaky or old water distribution pipes; improving source of water supply; replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks; other projects needed to protect public health. Under the DWSRF, states may provide various types of assistance, including loans, refinancing, purchasing, or guaranteeing local debt and purchasing bond insurance. States may also set specific loan terms, including interest rates from zero percent to market rate and repayment periods of up to 30 years. States have the flexibility to target financial resources to their specific community and environmental needs.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
The CDBG is a federal government grant that helps municipalities and local governments develop communities, improve social services, improve public health and fund some law enforcement construction projects. The CDBG grant is administered by HUD. Keck & Wood has helped communities use CDBG funds to construct water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects.
USDOC Economic Development Administration (EDA)
The US Department of Commerce provides a range of loans through the Economic Development Administration. These help advance regional competitiveness and create a range of jobs that improve the local economy as well as encourage industrial development in distressed communities. Keck & Wood has worked with communities and utility authorities to use EDA money to construct infrastructure projects that allowed them to take advantage of economic development opportunities and create jobs.
FHWA Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
A range of infrastructure projects that focus on non-car-based transport may be eligible for the FHWA Transportation Alternatives Program. These can include bicycle and pedestrian routes, construction of boulevards and community improvement activities. Keck & Wood understands TAP projects and how they need to be administered. Our understanding of the program translates into smoother project execution and less anxiety for our clients.
Other Funding Sources
Numerous other grant funding sources are available, depending on your project. These include:
- EPA 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants
- US Fish & Wildlife – Fish Passage Program
- Rural Infrastructure Authority
- FHWA Transportation Enhancement Program
- SC Parks and Recreation Development Fund
- GDOT Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) Grant Program
- Atlanta Regional Commission – Livable Centers Initiative Grants
All of these grants have specific objectives, ranging from allowing fish to pass through water barriers (dams, generation stations and other impediments) to enhancing local transportation both at the federal and state levels. Some funds are state-specific, such as the South Carolina Parks and Recreation Development Fund and the Atlanta Regional Commission — Livable Centers Initiative Grants, but many government grants are available to any project that qualifies, subject to budgetary requirements. This is not an exhaustive list by any means — other funding sources for community projects may be available.
Finding the right selection of grant funding sources can make or break your project, which is why it’s crucial to have the right people by your side. Keck & Wood can help you find the right grants and loans for your project so that you can get it off the ground.
To learn more about our grant funding sources assistance, please contact Keck & Wood at 877-787-4192 or contact us online.