Investments for health, prosperity
Infrastructure grants programs
The Rural Center offers grants to help rural communities pay for needed infrastructure projects. Each addresses a distinct need. The Economic Infrastructure Grants Program assists with infrastructure construction that will lead directly to new, private sector jobs. In addition to water and sewer, grants may be used for natural gas, stormwater, broadband and certain transportation projects.
Grants under the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program assist water and sewer projects addressing public health and environmental issues. Funding is currently limited for these projects. When available, grants may cover planning activities associated with infrastructure development or actual construction of water and sewer projects. Applicants may be required to document the critical need to be met.
Go to application and reporting forms
Here's a brief summary:
Economic Infrastructure Grants
Funds: Grants may be used for water and sewer, natural gas and broadband. In addition, grants at a reduced amount may be used for publicly owned access roads and rail spurs.
Circumstances: Projects that create private sector jobs in new or expanding business(es) served by the infrastructure
Amount available: For public water and sewer improvements: $10,000 per new job up to a maximum of $1 million or one-half the project cost, whichever is less. For all other projects: $5,000 per new job up to a maximum of $500,000 or one-half the project cost, whichever is less.
Who may apply: Local governments in rural county or Tier 1 urban county
Match required: Yes
Appropriation-Funded Planning Grants
Funds: Planning (such as feasibility studies, capital improvement plans and engineering studies) for water and sewer infrastructure
Circumstances: Funding available for rural communities, all tiers
Amount available: Up to $40,000
Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties or regional agencies
Match required: Yes
Funds: Planning (such as feasibility studies, capital improvement plans and engineering studies) for water and sewer infrastructure.
Circumstances: Funding available for economically distressed (Tier 1 and Tier 2) counties or communities within those counties and for economically distressed communities within Tier 3 counties. Tier 3 counties are not eligible.
Amount available: Up to $40,000
Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties or regional agencies
Match required: Yes
Clean Water Construction Grants
Funds: Water and sewer construction.
Circumstances: Depending on the source of funding, priority may be given to projects that eliminate verifiable threats to public health, achieve significant environmental protection or retain jobs in the private sector.
Amount available: Up to $500,000 or, for communities with strong economic needs, up to $1 million
Who may apply: Local governments in rural counties
Match required: Yes