Township officials are encouraged to take advantage of the many grant opportunities currently available!

America250PA Grants: America250PA will award $500,000 in grant funding in the first round of Semiquincentennial Grants. Townships are eligible to apply through December 15, 2024 and a second grant round will open in the spring.

Grant funds can be used toward expenses for programming, projects or events that connect to America250PA’s themes and platforms under the mission of Education; Preservation; Innovation; and Celebration. Questions can be directed to Christian Cassidy-Amstutz, Strategic Initiatives & Grants Manager, at Christian@America250PA.org.

Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants: DEP is now accepting applications for the 2024 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants (AFIG) program. Townships and municipal authorities are eligible to apply for funding to transition to cleaner fuel transportation. $5 million in grant funding is available to support:  

Incremental costs related to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels. 
Incremental costs to purchase new alternative fuel vehicles.
Costs to purchase and install fleet-refueling or home-refueling equipment for alternative fuel vehicles.  
Cost to perform research, training, development, and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles.

The AFIG will remain open throughout the year, with the applications period closing on December 20, 2024. For more information, visit DEP’s website. Questions can be directed to Josh Dziubek, Energy Programs Office, at jdziubek@pa.gov or (717) 705-0374.

Recycling Infrastructure and Food Waste Prevention Grants: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced approximately $58 million in funding to improve recycling infrastructure and boost food waste prevention and composting education under the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Communities program. Townships are eligible to apply through December 20, 2024 for projects that will improve collection, transport, systems, and processes related to post-use materials that can be recovered, reused, recycled, repaired, refurbished, or composted.

Eligible projects include the purchase of recycling equipment, including but not limited to sorting equipment, waste metering, trucks, and processing facilities; Upgrades to material recovery facilities (MRFs); Construction and upgrades to composting facilities or anaerobic digesters to increase capacity for food and organics recycling; and Development of or upgrades to curbside collection programs or drop-off stations for organics.

EPA will post two pre-recorded webinars on EPA’s SWIFR webpage. Questions about this opportunity can be directed to SWIFR@epa.gov.

Firefighter and EMS Grants: FEMA is now accepting applications for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Townships are encouraged to share this opportunity with their local fire departments to apply through December 20, 2024.

Fire departments and EMS organizations are eligible to apply directly for three grant opportunities:

Operations and Safety Grants to provide hands-on, instructor-led training to meet educational and performance requirements; to purchase equipment for effective response, firefighting, rescue and emergency medical operations; to acquire compliant PPE; to strengthen emergency responders’ mental, physical, and emotional capabilities to withstand the demands of hazardous operations; and to modify fire stations and other facilities including source capturing exhaust, sprinkler, carbon monoxide alarms or smoke/fire detection systems.

Vehicle Acquisition Grants to purchase NFPA 1900 compliant or equivalent vehicles, including, but not limited to, pumpers, ambulances, tankers, and aerial ladder trucks.

Regional Project Grants towards any of the above activities. Regional projects should achieve cost effectiveness, support regional efficiency and resilience, and benefit more than one local jurisdiction.

Questions can be directed to the AFG Program Help Desk at 866-274-0960 or via email at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.

Recycling Performance Grants: DEP is now accepting applications for the Municipal Recycling Program Performance Grant (Section 904 Grants) for eligible materials recycled and marketed in calendar year 2023. Performance grant awards are based on the weight of source-separated recyclable materials recovered by municipal recycling programs. Townships, authorities, councils of governments, or similar entities with recycling programs are eligible to apply through December 31, 2024.

Grant applications must be submitted through eGrants at esa.dced.state.pa.us. Questions can be directed to the Bureau of Waste Management at 717-787-7382 or mvottero@pa.gov.

National Fish Passage Program: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting applications for funding and technical assistance under the National Fish Passage Program to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic organism passage & aquatic connectivity for the benefit of Federal trust resources. Townships are eligible to apply for projects including dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, & the installation of fishways. Applications are due December 31, 2024.

Solid Waste Management Grants: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for Solid Waste Management Grants to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources through technical assistance and training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites. Rural areas and townships with a population of 10,000 or less are eligible to apply through December 31, 2024 and no match is required!

Funds may be used to evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources and to provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active landfills; to help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill; and to prepare for closure and future use of a landfill site.

More information and fact sheet can be found on the USDA’s Pennsylvania-specific grants page. Questions can be directed to the grant manager at water-rd@usda.gov.

Broadband Development Grants: The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) launched its first round of applications for $1.16 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants to provide high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved Pennsylvanians. Applications are open until January 21, 2025.

Eligible applicants include local governments, utilities, internet service providers, and public-private partnerships. A 25% match is required and applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local governments for additional points. Funds can be used for broadband infrastructure, software upgrades, planning, and more. BEAD projects must serve eligible Broadband Service Locations (BSLs) identified on the PBDA’s map.

2024 Consumptive Use Mitigation Grants: The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) has up to $6 million in funding available under the Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant Program. Townships and municipal authorities are eligible to apply through January 31, 2025.

The 2024 grant program is aimed at projects focused on reducing or offsetting CU and improving the sustainability of both streamflows and groundwater during critical low flow periods including: Water storage and release projects; Projects that modify operations to increase drought resilience or improve environmental flows; Demand modification projects; and Environmental and water quality improvement projects. A minimum 20% cash match is required.

SRBC will host an informational webinar on November 20 to provide an overview of the grant program, demonstrate the online grant application, and answer questions. To register and for full details on the grant, please visit the SRBC website.

PROTECT Grants: The US Department of Transportation is now accepting applications under the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program to plan for and strengthen surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters.

Townships are eligible to apply for four types of PROTECT grants through February 24, 2025:

Planning Grants for resilience planning, development of data tools to simulate transportation disruption scenarios, including vulnerability assessments, or evacuation planning and preparation.

Resilience Improvement Grants for construction projects to improve an existing surface transportation asset to withstand a weather event or natural disaster, or to increase the resilience of surface transportation infrastructure from the impacts of changing conditions, such as sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters.

Community Resilience and Evacuation Route Grants for projects that strengthen and protect essential evacuation routes.

At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure Grants for townships bordering Lake Erie to strengthen or enhance the resilience of bridges, roads, walkways, bicycle lanes, and culverts to protect against a weather event, natural disaster, or changing conditions, including flooding, erosion, storm surge, or sea level rise.

PennDOT will consider providing support for regional grant proposals. The deadline to request PennDOT support is February 10, 2025 via email at RA-PDTRANSFEDFUNDOPP@pa.gov. For more information, view the PennDOT grant alert fact sheet.

Keystone Historic Preservation Grants: The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is now accepting applications for two types of historic preservation grants:

Construction Grants support projects at historic, publicly accessible buildings, including preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation construction activities. Buildings must be listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Planning Grants support planning and pre-development projects at historic resources that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Eligible projects include cultural resource surveys, National Register nominations, planning and project development assistance, and archaeological investigations.

Townships that own or support a publicly accessible historic property are eligible to apply for both of these opportunities through March 3, 2025 and a 50% match is required. For more information on these opportunities, visit pa.gov and search “historic preservation.” Questions can be directed to phmckeystonegrants@pa.gov.

Ongoing Opportunities:

Rural Water Loan Fund: The Rural Water Loan Fund, established through a grant from the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, provides low-cost loans for short-term repair costs, small capital projects, or pre-development costs associated with larger projects for water and wastewater utilities. Eligible systems must be township or authority-owned serving up to 10,000 persons, or in rural areas with no population limits.

Loan amounts may not exceed $200,000 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less. Projects eligible for loan funding include planning costs for infrastructure projects; replacement equipment, system upgrades, maintenance and small capital projects; energy efficiency projects to lower costs and improve system sustainability; and disaster recovery or other emergency loans.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Townships may contact the PA State Rural Water Association for assistance in preparing and submitting required documents.

Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program: USDA Rural Development’s Electric Infrastructure Loan Program provides insured loans and loan guarantees to finance the construction of electric distribution facilities in rural areas. Funds may be used to finance maintenance, upgrades, expansion, energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and replacement of distribution, sub transmission and headquarters (service, warehouse) facilities.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Townships in rural areas must contact the Pennsylvania General Field Representative to determine whether the proposed service area qualifies as rural as several factors will determine eligibility under this program. For more information about the program, contact USDA’s Office of Loan Origination and Approval at 202-720-1422.

EPA Free Water Technical Assistance: The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the availability of Water Technical Assistance program to help communities address challenges in providing safe drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services to their residents. Townships are eligible to apply for free technical assistance services that will support communities and their water utilities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis to: Identify water infrastructure or water quality improvement needs; plan for capital improvements; build technical, managerial, and financial capacity; and prepare for, and develop, application materials for financing a project through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs or other programs under the funding agency.

Statewide Waterway Access Mini Grants: The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers is now accepting applications for the Statewide Waterways Access Grant (SWAG) Program, funded by the PA Fish and Boat Commission and DCNR for projects related to public access to Pennsylvania waterways, including acquisition, design and engineering, construction, or upgrade and rehabilitation of non-motorized access areas and launches. Townships are eligible to apply, and applications will be accepted and awarded on a rolling basis through January 1, 2025. For more information, visit the grant page or contact Janet Sweeney, POWR, jsweeney@pecpa.org.

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grants: USDA Rural Development administers the Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program to provide clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, and storm water drainage in eligible rural areas. Townships with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible to apply for funding 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

Applications are accepted year-round and may be filed electronically using RD Apply or through your township’s Local RD office.

Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants: USDA Rural Development administers Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to help communities prepare for, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Events that qualify as an emergency include, but are not limited to, droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and chemical spills. Townships with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible to apply for funds for the following purposes:

Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and address related maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply
Water source grants up to $1,000,000 for the construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, and/or other sources of water (water source up to and including the treatment plant)

Applications are accepted year-round. Interested townships are encouraged to contact the Pennsylvania state program specialist prior to filling out any forms or applications for this opportunity.

Municipal Assistance Program: DCED’s Governor’s Center for Local Government Services offers the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) to provide funding to assist local governments to plan for and efficiently implement a variety of services and improvements, and soundly manage development with an emphasis on intergovernmental approaches. Funding is available for two groups of activities: shared services, and community planning. Townships are eligible to apply throughout the year to cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs related to:

Community Planning: Planning activities to support community and economic development, including, the development of comprehensive community plans, land use ordinances, and Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) studies
Shared Services: Intergovernmental cooperation initiatives including, regional police and fire services, shared personnel agreements, and boundary change studies

For more information including program fact sheet, guidelines, and link to apply, visit DCED’s MAP website.

Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Grants: The Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program is a non-point source pollution control program for local municipal road officials. Under this program, the State Conservation Commission provides grant funding through county conservation districts to townships to eliminate stream pollution caused by runoff and sediment from dirt, gravel and low volume roads

Grants may be used for expenses related to the implementation of environmentally sound road maintenance practices on dirt and gravel roads and low volume paved roads. Townships may apply to the conservation districts for grant funding. Conservation districts establish their own grant application periods. Applicants must attend a two-day “Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance” training. For additional information, contact your county DGLVR program specialist.

The Pipeline Investment Program Grants: The Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks, existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which will result in the creation of new economic base jobs in the commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents. Funds may be used for acquisition, construction, and site preparation costs associated with extending natural gas pipelines to serve eligible applicants. Townships are eligible to apply for funding throughout the year. A 50% match of the total project cost is required. For more information, visit DCED’s website or email ra-dcedsitedvpt@pa.gov.

Peer and Circuit Rider Local Capacity Building Project Funding: The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers grant programs to fund projects that help municipalities, multi-municipal partnerships, and council of governments to increase local capacity for recreation, parks and conservation.

The Peer Program is available to assist municipal entities with hiring a professional consultant to study specialized small-scale issues. A minimum ten percent (10%) local cash match is required.
The Circuit Rider Program provides grant funds for regional organizations, including Council of Governments and multi-municipal entities, to hire a professional, full-time staff person. This is a four-year commitment of funding. Match is variable based on the year of funding.

Townships are eligible to apply for funding throughout the year. All applicants must contact Kelly Rossiter before applying at 717-772-3319 or krossiter@pa.gov. For additional information, including frequently asked questions and grant instructions, visit DCNR’s Grants website.

Clean Energy Tax Credits: The U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service issued guidance on accessing clean energy tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA’s “elective pay” provisions allow townships, for the first time, to be able to receive a payment equal to the full value of tax credits for building qualifying clean energy projects. Townships can also transfer certain tax credits through a process known as “transferability” to other parties. 

Tax credits eligible for direct payment or transferability include projects that generate clean electricity through solar, wind, and battery storage projects; installing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure; and purchasing clean vehicles for vehicle fleets. Please note, the tax credit for commercial EVs is up to $7,500 for vehicles under 14,000 pounds and up to $40,000 for vehicles over 14,000 pounds. Only certain vehicles are eligible for the credit, as there are manufacturing and final assembly requirements. 

Townships can refer to the National Association of Towns and Township’s Guidance to Accessing Clean Energy Credits for additional information, as well as the IRS’s Frequently Asked Questions document or the White House fact sheet on direct pay. 

Pilot Program for Economic Development: The Shapiro Administration announced a new pilot program, PA SITES, which will make $10 million in grant funding available to help municipalities and authorities prepare “shovel ready” sites to attract and retain businesses. Grants may be used for transportation access improvements, utility extensions, or grading of pad-ready sites, including redevelopment of previously used or underused sites. Click here for the press release and here for program guidelines.

USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. Rural townships with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible to apply for grants and low-interest direct loans to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and/or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment, and pay related project expenses. Essential community facilities include public facilities (municipal buildings, courthouses, street improvements); community support services (community centers, fairgrounds); public safety services (fire departments, police stations, public works vehicles or equipment); and more. Townships are eligible to apply for funding throughout the year. For more information, visit the Community Facilities Program website or call the PA Rural Development office at (717) 237-2299.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has grant funding to support the recruitment of approximately 2,000 new full-time law enforcement officers throughout the commonwealth. This solicitation is open to local law enforcement agencies to support Act 120 mandatory training and recruitment activities for law enforcement officers provided through the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).

Supported by funding through the Local Law Enforcement Support (LLES) Grant Program established under Act 54 of 2022, eligible law enforcement agencies that do not cover the costs of Act 120 training can request up to $7,000 per new officer to support costs associated with the training or, if they currently hire officers that are already Act 120 trained or the agency already covers training costs, apply for up to $5,000 per new officer to support stipends, signing bonuses, or marketing efforts. Priority consideration in awards will go to law enforcement agencies serving areas with high rates of violent crime and that have low clearance rates for violent crimes.

Applicants can find more information on funding requirements and how to apply on PCCD’s active funding announcements webpage. The solicitation will remain open until all funding is committed. Awards will be announced on a rolling basis.

U.S. Department of Transportation Grant Dashboard: The DOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard is a helpful resource developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide communities with an overview of grant opportunities related to transportation infrastructure needs. Townships can use the “Eligible Applicants” dropdown tool and select “Local Governments” to see all eligible grant opportunities or narrow down the search to just those related to specific activities, transportation types, and match requirements. The dashboard is updated weekly and will also soon include a Rural Grant Applicant Toolkit to assist rural townships in utilizing the dashboard.