NLC will host a new bootcamp series beginning in June focused on additional funding opportunities made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. These five bootcamps are open for registration and programming will run through Summer 2023.
- The Combined Railroad Crossing Elimination Program & CRISI: This program provides funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects, promoting safety and mobility for people and goods. Communities can use grant funding for track relocation; to improve or install protective devices, signals, or signs; to improve safety; and to conduct environmental audits of eligible projects.
- The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: This fund provides municipalities with opportunities to address urgent water challenges facing local communities. More specifically, the fund offers a variety of financial assistance through loans, purchase of debt or refinance, guarantees, insurance, investments, and additional subsidization. Through these grants, local governments can improve their drinking water and wastewater systems.
- Broadband Opportunities: This bootcamp introduces municipalities to the entire ecosystem of federal broadband opportunities, as well as ways municipalities can engage with the private sector and serve as promoters of household programs. Municipalities will learn about broadband in their community, identify future opportunities, and do a deep dive into available federal programs, particularly the new Broadband Equity, Access, & Development Program (BEAD), which helps fund opportunities for communities looking to expand high-speed internet access through broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption projects and activities.
- Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program: The Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program helps to reconnect neighborhoods divided by infrastructure. Municipalities can use funds to address local infrastructure projects such as removing, replacing, or retrofitting highways and freeways. This grant program supports equitable transportation planning and will allow residents to become more active in the infrastructure projects that negatively impact them and their surrounding environment.
- The Bridge Investment Program: The Bridge Investment Program works alongside all levels of government to meet community infrastructure needs with a focus on reducing the number of existing bridges in poor condition or in fair condition as risk. This funding marks an unprecedented focus on bridge infrastructure, which is vital for connecting residents and local communities.
Spots are limited, and registration closes on May 31. Municipalities can group together to register as a coalition of municipalities.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.