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Grants and Funding Monthly Newsletter - September 2014 |
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Capital Improvement Plans Help Score Points with Grant and Loan Applications!
Going through the annual or budget process and reviewing / updating your community's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) can produce not only a clear direction of the next round of projects to be undertaken, it can help you score precious points on grant and loan applications at both the state and federal levels. Identifying deficiencies within a community's water, sewer, stormwater and road infrastructure network, let alone the myriad of capital equipment needs facing communities each year, helps demonstrate the community's understanding of critical needs and commitment to funding specific solutions.
The CIP process offers several additional benefits to a community, including the following:
- Aiding in the effective allocation of limited resources among a seemingly unlimited number of demands and needs for public service;
- Improving communications and cooperation among various community stakeholders with varying vested interests;
- Providing continuity in financial decisions by linking long-term planning to the programming and budgeting of major projects;
- Stabilizing local tax rates by more effectively relating expenditures to financial capacity in a given time frame; and
- Improving local ability to use state and federal grant-in-aid programs.
CIPs can range in scope and detail from a general overview of community needs to a more detailed analysis of specific project, including proposed timelines and financing mechanisms. USDA Rural Development, the State Revolving Loan Funds (Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water) and the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) applications all benefit from a refined CIP demonstrating an individual funded project as a priority. Either way, CIPs might just help catalyze grant funding for your next community project.
Wondering how to create a CIP for your community? MSA can assist, email us at [email protected] to find out how we can help your community! |
Wisconsin
MSA assisted the City of Elroy, WI complete its most recent CIP in 2011 and has successfully submitted and received funding for three consecutive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications as well as principal forgiveness on two consecutive Safe Drinking Water Loan applications...receiving over $1.6 million in funding along the way.
A sound CIP, coupled with a great engineering and funding team can help offset the cost of infrastructure projects in your community. MSA is only a phone call away - please contact Justin Sornsin, Municipal Funding Team Leader at (608) 355-8914 or via email for more information. |
Illinois
MSA was assisting the Village of Gifford, IL in establishing a capital improvement plan when an EF-3 tornado with winds of 140 mph tore through the middle of the community on November 17, 2013. The tornado damaged the Village's existing 50,000-gallon water tower.
The Village Board through the CIP process had identified a new 150,000-gallon water tower as a capital priority for the Village. The process allowed the Village to take advantage of the USDA-RD Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant program - Gifford received a grant in the amount of $150,000 to help cover construction costs of a new water tower, which is anticipated to be completed and online in the spring of 2015.
Also through the CIP process, the Village identified the need for street surface improvements. The Illinois Department of Transportation has awarded the Village more than $350,000 for street, sidewalk, alley, sign and other roadway improvements.
Contact MSA Client Service Manager Gregory Crowe at (217) 372-5278 or via email to discuss creating a CIP for your community. |
Iowa
MSA assisted the City of La Porte City, IA develop a Municipal Utilities CIP. The CIP identified necessary improvements to the system and established cost estimates. These improvements were broken down by priority, fundability and cost effectiveness. The plan also included an implementation schedule spanning 10 years that identified improvements, costs, financial impact and probable funding scenarios. MSA assisted the utilities in obtaining nearly $1 Million in grant funding to begin implementation of their CIP.
Contact MSA Client Service Manager Jim Holz at (563) 584-2884 or via email to request assistance in completing a CIP for your community. |
Minnesota
MSA recently completed a GIS system project for the Town of Thomson, MN that will help them manage the development of their CIP over the coming years. We are also currently assisting the City of Carlton, MN update their 10-year-old CIP.
Our funding and planning experts in Minnesota are experienced in creating CIPs that are beneficial to communities as they take into account planning for the future while looking at current projects within the community. Wondering how you can create a CIP in your community? Email us at [email protected] to reach one of our funding specialists. |
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Upcoming Deadlines
September 30, 2014
Wisconsin
(Principal Forgiveness Deadline)
November 2014
Iowa
December 2014
Iowa
December 31, 2014
Wisconsin
EIF (CWFP and SDWLP): Notice of Intent to Apply Form (ITA and Priority Evaluation and Ranking Form (PERF) Due
Wisconsin
TBD-Spring, 2015
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Applications Due
If you have questions about upcoming deadlines or newsletter content, or if you're interested in learning more about how funding programs can assist your community,
for more information.
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Wiscosin DNR Goes Mobile
Recenty, WDNR launded its Offical Guide for Wisconsin State Parks and Forest Mobile Applications.
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