ANNOUNCEMENTS
- With so few winners of the CPRG fundings, what’s next? See Amy Turner’s blog on where we go from here.
- If you applied for CPRG, please fill out the MCC CPRG survey to help us better understand what went into these applications and how we can support the proposed projects.
GRANTS & FUNDING SOURCES
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – $163 million in loans, grants and technical assistance for ag producers and small businesses to access clean energy and lower energy bills.
- State energy coordinators have more info – find your specific state coordinator here.
- Midwest selections so far: IA, IN, KS, MI, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI – Full list of awardees
- Some support is available to eligible entities to apply
- AWARDED: Transmission Economic and Development Siting and Economic Development grants – $371 million to 20 projects in 16 states.
- See all selected projects here.
- Illinois Commerce Commission – $8,281,841 – Siting and permitting grant
- Public Service Commission of WI – $3,000,458 – siting and permitting grant
- Michigan Dep’t of Labor and Economic Opportunity – $35,751,540 for workforce development
- City of Mott, ND – $14,284,567 – economic and community development center
- Another round of funding should be announced in Fall 2024. Does not appear that there is another opportunity to submit at this time.
- See all selected projects here.
- Reconnecting Communities Pilot – The RCP Program focuses on improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation, and foster equitable development and restoration, and provide technical assistance to further these goals.
- Learn more here
- Due Sept. 30
- For planning, capital, and technical assistance
- Potential applicants who are interested in pursuing a reconnecting type project but are not prepared to submit funding requests within 90 days can submit a request for technical assistance through the Reconnecting Communities Institute. Many reconnecting projects are also eligible for funding under formula programs or eligible discretionary grant programs. More information can be found on DOT’s Discretionary Grants Dashboard.
- Upcoming webinars by the RCP team: August 27, 2 – 3:30 pm EST over zoom – register here
- USDA Forest Landowner Grants for climate mitigation or forest resilience
- Click here for full details
- Four opportunities
- #1 For underserved landowners and owners of less than 2,500 acres in private markets
- Nonprofits, institutions of higher ed, state governments, small businesses, city or municipal governments, Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized Tribes)
- Funding limit: $2 million
- Due August 21, 2024
- #2 Tribal Access to Emerging Private Markets
- Federally recognized Tribes and Tribal Organizations (see details)
- Funding limit $2 million
- Due Sept. 30, 2024
- #3 Landowner cost share payment programs for climate mitigation and forest resilience
- State forestry agency, nonprofit, higher ed, unit of local gov’t (if not a state forestry agency, must get letter of approval from one)
- Award limits: $5 M for single-state projects and $15 M for multi-state
- Due Sept. 30, 2024
- #4 Landowner payment program for carbon stewardship practices
- State forestry organization and nonprofits
- Funding limit: $5 million
- Due Sept. 30, 2024
- #1 For underserved landowners and owners of less than 2,500 acres in private markets
RESOURCES
- Community Change Grants Technical Assistance
- Environmental Protection Network –
- Resources on grant award negotiations (because winning one isn’t the end!): https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/tcgm-resources/
- Track 1 guide: Track I Process Guide: https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/community-change-grants-track-1/
- Track 2 Guide: https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/change-grants-track-ii/
- EPN’s step by step guides to community change applications: https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/change-grants-application-process/
- Edyna / CCTA Technical Assistance intake (separate from EPN) : https://communitychangeta.org/request-technical-assistance
Events
- EPA’s region 5 roadshow:
- August 15 in Milwaukee regarding Inflation Reduction Act opportunities and resources. Space is limited – so register early!
- Space is limited!
- Indiana Climate Leadership Summit:
- Sept. 6 at Purdue University in Fort Wayne, IN – learn more here and register
- Climate Change and Small Cities Conference:
- October 24 – 26 in Winona, MN
- Learn more here
- Wisconsin: Sustain Dane 2024 Summit – November 8, 2024 in Madison
- Wisconsin 2024 Climate Fast Forward: November 14 – 15 in Rothschild, WI