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Posts for Federal Funding

Tax-Exempt Entities: New Source of Funding Available for Clean Energy Projects

October 2, 2024  by  Alison Benge ,  Stacey Crawshaw-Lewis
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Federal Funding

Local governments that undertook clean energy projects may be able to recoup some project costs through clean energy federal tax credits. Thanks to 2022 federal legislation, these credits are now available to certain tax-exempt entities as direct, elective payments. 

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a broken storefront window

Overcoming Roadblocks: How Federal Funds Can Support Local Business

September 16, 2024  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Financing Economic Development ,  Gift of Public Funds ,  Federal Funding

Businesses that experience interruptions due to public street projects can impact a whole community. Local governments may want to help, but they also must follow the statewide gift of public funds prohibition. Use of federal grants funds may help accomplish both objectives.

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New Guidance for Obligating Remaining ARPA Funds

April 29, 2024  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Federal Funding

Cities, towns, and counties must obligate their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) by the end of the year, with limited exceptions. But what does it mean to “obligate” these funds?

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A man is excited to have received a gift card

Safely Using Incentives in Public Engagement Activities

February 8, 2023  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Gift of Public Funds ,  Inclusive Communities ,  Federal Funding

Can gift cards be given as an incentive for completing a local government survey? Can stipends be provided to volunteers participating in local government projects or advisory boards? With proper procedures in place, incentives can be a way to boost community participation.

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Funding for Broadband Expansion

December 21, 2022  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Telecommunications ,  Federal Funding

Is your local government looking to expand broadband access to un- or underserved communities? Fortunately, there are existing state and federal grant programs to tap for help as well as exciting new federal funding opportunities.

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Local Governments Prepare for Broadband Expansion

December 19, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Telecommunications ,  Federal Funding

With potential new sources of funding to support the expansion of reliable broadband services, local governments across Washington are busy building partnerships, identifying un- and underserved areas, and planning equitable deployment strategies to reach all communities.

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Historic Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Open to Local Governments

February 14, 2022  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Public Works Finance ,  Federal Funding

Building a Better America invests $400 billion over five years to support major transportation and infrastructure projects nationwide. Local governments are eligible for funding, including for several competitive grant programs, and should begin the planning process now. 

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Treasury Releases Final Rule on American Rescue Plan Fiscal Recovery Funds

January 24, 2022  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Federal Funding

Local governments seeking guidance on how to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) now have an answer in the recently released Final Rule from the ​U.S. Department of Treasury.

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