Grant Due: FY 2023 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants

10/10/2023
Author: DeAndre' Smith
Number of views: 337
0 Comments

FY 2023 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this new program is to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. The program funds projects that are focused on using technology interventions to solve real-world challenges and build data and technology capacity and expertise in the public sector. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? States, political subdivisions of a state, public transit agencies or authorities, public toll authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), or a group of two or more eligible entities

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $50 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? October 10, 2023

Grant Due (JustGrants): FY 2023 Building Local Continuums of Care to Support Youth Success

10/10/2023
Author: DeAndre' Smith
Number of views: 278
0 Comments

Grant Due (JustGrants): FY 2023 Building Local Continuums of Care to Support Youth Success

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program will assist communities in planning and assessing promising and evidence-based prevention and intervention services to facilitate the development of a community-based continuum of care for youth at risk of becoming or already involved in the juvenile justice system. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Local and state governments, special district governments, for profit organizations other than small businesses, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, and small businesses

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $16.2 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? October 10, 2023 (JustGrants)

Grant Due: FY 2023 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning (TOD Pilot Program)

10/10/2023
Author: DeAndre' Smith
Number of views: 301
0 Comments

FY 2023 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning (TOD Pilot Program)

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to improve public transportation for U.S. communities by providing funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning with a new fixed-guideway or core capacity transit capital investment. This program intends to support comprehensive planning that will improve economic development, ridership, multimodal connectivity and accessibility, transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and mixed-use development near transit stations. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? A State or States, U.S. Territory, or local governmental authority, and Federal Transit Administration grant recipients

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $13.4 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? October 10, 2023

Grant Due: FY 2023 Historic Preservation Fund: African American Civil Rights Preservation Grants

10/10/2023
Author: DeAndre' Smith
Number of views: 497
0 Comments

FY 2023 Historic Preservation Fund: African American Civil Rights Preservation Grants

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to preserve and protect sites associated with the struggle for equality from the transatlantic slave trade forward. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Local, states, and special district governments, independent school districts, institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments and organizations, and nonprofit organizations

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $24 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? October 10, 2023

Grant Due: FY 2023 Historic Preservation Fund African American Civil Rights History Grants

10/10/2023
Author: DeAndre' Smith
Number of views: 530
0 Comments

FY 2023 Historic Preservation Fund African American Civil Rights History Grants

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The program funds the documentation, interpterion, and preservation of site and stories of the full history of the African American struggle to gain equal rights from the transatlantic slave trade froward. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Local and state governments, special district governments, (including Certified Local Governments), nonprofit organizations, private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, educational institutions, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $24 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? October 10, 2023

Overview

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

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 Environmental Infrastructure

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.