Kaj Gumbs Comes On Board as TFG Associate

Kaj brings legal and legislative experience from the public and private sectors to enhance TFG advocacy services.

Kaj Gumbs Comes On Board as TFG Associate

WASHINGTON D.C. – We are excited to announce that Kaj Gumbs has joined TFG as an Associate at the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Kaj has impressive legal expertise in large bankruptcy litigation, legal research, and legal consultation, as well as legislative experience in the public and private sectors in issues ranging from emerging facial recognition technology to topics under the Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission.

TFG Presents 2023 Congressional Calendar

The Ferguson Group (TFG) compiled a 2023 Congressional Calendar with session and recess dates for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate 118th Congressional session. 

TFG in the Craig Daily Press: "Tri-State Generation brings grant-writing support to Craig to aid in coal transition"

Lane Dickson, TFG Principal, and Catherine Minerich, TFG Grants Project Manager, visited Craig, Colorado to kick off working relationship.

TFG in the Craig Daily Press: "Tri-State Generation brings grant-writing support to Craig to aid in coal transition"

CRAIG, CO. – Lane Dickson, Principal at The Ferguson Group (TFG), and Catherine Minerich, TFG Grants Project Manager, visited Craig, Colorado to kick off their new partnership with the City and Community of Craig, Colorado and Tri-State Generation and Transmission  – a Colorado-based electric co-operative – to provide grant and advocacy services that help identify and pursue funding opportunities that will aid the community transition its economy.

Joonsoo Yi Joins TFG as an Associate

With policy and campaign experience in the US and abroad, Joonsoo helps strengthen TFG’s services.

Joonsoo Yi Joins TFG as an Associate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – We are pleased to announce that Joonsoo Yi joined The Ferguson Group (TFG) as an Associate in recent months.

Chris Griffin Joins TFG as Senior Associate

After four years working in the U.S. Senate, Chris brings extensive natural resources and energy experience to TFG.

Chris Griffin Joins TFG as Senior Associate

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Ferguson Group (TFG) is pleased to announce Chris Griffin as TFG’s newest Senior Associate. Chris previously spent nearly four years on staff in the United States Senate: first as a legislative aide to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and then as Legislative Aide to Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-A.K.

First34568101112Last

Overview

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) serves as the primary vehicle through which Congress authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and establishes policy frameworks for water resource development nationwide. Enacted on a biennial schedule, WRDAs provide congressional authorization for USACE to conduct feasibility studies, construct flood risk reduction projects, improve navigation infrastructure, restore aquatic ecosystems, and assist with environmental infrastructure development.
Since the enactment of WRDA 1986, Congress has used these omnibus authorization bills to both create new USACE authorities and refine existing programs based on evolving national priorities and lessons learned from program implementation. Recent WRDAs have addressed critical issues including drought resilience, water supply development, infrastructure modernization, and support for economically disadvantaged communities.
The most recent legislation, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024, P.L. 118-272), continued Congress's bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's water infrastructure by authorizing new construction projects, modifying existing authorities, and establishing updated policy guidance for USACE operations. WRDA 2024 also authorized five new regional environmental infrastructure programs, each incorporating flexible delivery mechanisms that allow federal assistance to be provided through grants or reimbursements to nonfederal sponsors.
Authorization through WRDA is typically a prerequisite for USACE activities to receive federal appropriations through the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations process. This two-step framework—authorization followed by appropriation—ensures congressional oversight of both program scope and funding levels.
Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended, represents one of USACE's most geographically expansive environmental infrastructure assistance authorities. Originally enacted to authorize design assistance for 18 specific projects, Section 219 has been amended by subsequent Congresses to authorize both design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure in hundreds of municipalities, counties, and states across the nation.
The Congressional Research Service has identified over 600 environmental infrastructure assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling approximately $18.1 billion. Section 219 authorities constitute the majority of these geographically specific project authorizations, covering at least 46 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.
Section 219 projects address critical community needs including wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and distribution systems, stormwater management infrastructure, surface water protection, and environmental restoration. These projects support public health, environmental quality, and economic development in communities that have secured congressional authorization for USACE assistance.
Congress has continued to expand Section 219 in recent legislation. WRDA 2022 added 132 new Section 219 authorities and amended 24 existing authorities. WRDA 2024 authorized an additional 193 new Section 219 authorities and amended 53 existing authorities, providing a combined $5.4 billion increase in authorization of appropriations. WRDA 2024 also established a seven-year pilot program to increase the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for Section 219 projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.
Unlike traditional USACE water resource projects, Section 219 assistance does not require completion of the agency's standard feasibility study process. However, projects receiving Section 219 assistance must comply with applicable federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act.
«February 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
2627282930311
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
2324252627281
23

Grant Due Industry Transformation: FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024 was issued. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? District organizations of EDA-designated economic development districts (EDDs); Indian tribes or consortia of tribes; states, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions of a state; institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education; and public or private nonprofit organizations or associations

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $1,447,000,000

WHEN IS IT DUE? March 3, 2026 (Industry Transformation); Rolling (Readiness and Implementation)

Read more
45678

US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos
/ Categories: News, News & Alerts

TFG Presents Earmarks Lessons Learned in ICMA Annual Conference Workshop

TFG appropriations veterans will provide local government leaders key information to help secure federal earmarked funding.

COLUMBUS, OH. Today, TFG federal funding experts will present “Earmark Debrief: Lessons Learned and Tips for Success” at the 2022 Annual International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Conference. TFG helped clients secure over $54 million in earmarked funds in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). In this presentation, Jennifer Imo, TFG Managing Partner of Client Services, and Kristi More, TFG Managing Partner of Strategic Development, will work directly with communities to help them identify the best projects for federal funding and give them tips on the information needed to set those communities up for success in the FY 24 appropriations process.

“I’ve worked with communities across the country to secure earmarked funds for two decades,” said Jennifer Imo. “Amidst administration changes and evolving priorities in Washington, TFG has been nimble in adjusting our strategies to ensure local governments are armed with the resources necessary to meet their community needs. I’m excited to strategize with local leaders face-to-face to set their priority projects up for success!”

“I’ve been lucky to work with communities from across the country in my over 20 years with TFG,” said Kristi More. “The return of earmarks over the last two appropriations cycles has offered another important source of funding for priority projects. I can’t wait to cut through the noise and share the lessons learned with local government leaders so they can effectively meet their community goals.”

This presentation follows the workshop TFG held called “Demystifying Earmarks: Secure Federal Funding for Your Community” at the 2021 Annual ICMA Conference on October 3, 2021. The ICMA Annual Conference brings together thousands of government management professionals for presentations, workshops, and events to equip attendees with the tools they need to strengthen their own communities. TFG is a longtime ICMA Strategic Partner and an annual sponsor of a scholarship to The Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program Scholarship for senior level city and county managers that are ICMA members.

Join the Conversation

What:     Earmark Debrief: Lessons Learned and Tips for Success

Who:      Jennifer Imo, Managing Partner of Client Services

               Kristi More, Managing Partner of Strategic Development

Where:  ICMA 2022 Annual Conference, Columbus, OH. (in-person and online)

When:    Monday, September 19, 2022; 1:15PM ET

Register: ICMA 2022 Annual Conference

Print
9425

Latest TFG News

A Message from Roger Gwinn on the Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa 7 January 2026

A Message from Roger Gwinn on the Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa

WASHINGTON, D.C. – TFG CEO, Roger Gwinn, released the following statement regarding the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

Meet a Team Member

Latest Coronavirus Updates