INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA)
Download FFIS’s IIJA State Allocations Spreadsheet FFIS continues to populate its IIJA spreadsheet with new announcements on program implementation; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. A dedicated tab includes recently issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). New or updated allocations are provided for:
- Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Grants (FY 2024; includes Low-No program awards)
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Continues Approving BEAD Proposals Most recently, an initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program was approved for Maryland.
NTIA to Highlight Strategies for Streamlining Broadband Deployment In a series of blog posts, NTIA will highlight key areas where states and territories can streamline permitting processes to expand high-speed internet service more efficiently, showcasing best practices of states and territories.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Updates State and Local Solution Center Webinar Schedule Topics include EV charging infrastructure, weatherization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and more.
DOE Publishes July State Energy Program (SEP) Bulletin It includes upcoming webinars, report submission due dates, program tools, and other resources relevant to the SEP and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).
DOE Issues Guidance on Approval Process for Releasing the Remaining 50% of Obligated Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Funds from the IIJA Grantees must meet a set of performance milestones related to the first tranche of funding to access these funds.
DOE Awards $14 Million to Two Retailers for Expanding Battery Recycling Drop-Off and Collection Points Additional information on the projects is here.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (FEMA) Makes $7 Million Available for Environmental Justice, Human Wellbeing, and Ecosystem Recovery Projects in the Puget Sound Applications are due September 10.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Updates Events Webpage Offerings include overviews and trainings on grant programs; Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements; emergency planning; and more.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Announces Availability of $120 Million for Tribal Climate Resilience The funding includes appropriations from the IIJA and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Applications are due October 18. Information on virtual office hours, a grant writing webinar, and an informational webinar will be updated at the link in heading.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Awards $1.5 Billion for 117 Projects to Replace Buses and Improve Public Transportation Through the FY 2024 Buses and Bus Facilities Program The awards, which can be found here, include competitive grants and Low- and No-Emission Grants.
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Makes $153 Million Available for FYs 2021-2024 Through the Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program Funds will assist with operating costs for eligible projects that will establish passenger rail service on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations, and enhance service on existing routes. Applications are due September 30. A webinar will be held July 24, 2:00 p.m. ET (register).
FRA Announces Availability of More Than $1.1 Billion for FYs 2023-2024 for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program The program supports highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. Applications are due September 23. A webinar will be held July 25, 1:00 p.m. ET (register). Additional information is here.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Posts Notice of Procedures for the August Redistribution of Unneeded FY 2024 Federal-Aid Highway Program Obligation Limitation State plans are due July 22.
FHWA Seeks Comment on Proposed Information Collection for Applicants Under the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program Responses are due September 9.
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA)
Download IRA State Allocations Spreadsheet The spreadsheet, updated weekly, lists state allocations and estimates, summary information on eligibility and other grant features, and links to additional information; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. No updates are provided this week.
ENERGY
DOE Awards $1.7 Billion in Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grants The funding will support the conversion of 11 shuttered or at-risk auto manufacturing and assembly facilities across eight states to manufacture electric vehicles and their supply chain. Full project descriptions are here.
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Issue FAQs on Registration for Clean Fuel Production Credit
CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT (CHIPS)
Download FFIS’s CHIPS Act Spreadsheet Updated weekly, the spreadsheet provides information on CHIPS-related NOFOs and awards that may be of interest to states. Each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. There are no updates this week.
Department of Commerce (DOC), Natcast Announce Selection Processes for First Three CHIPS Research Facilities The facilities include an Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility (to be operational in 2028), an Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Center (2026), and an Administrative and Design Facility (2025). A webinar on the facilities and selection processes (different for each facility) was held on July 12 – video is posted here, and additional information is available here.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Publishes Data on Regional Innovation Engines Letters of Intent NSF is sharing the data to facilitate collaboration among proposers.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet No updates are provided this week.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces Meat and Poultry Processing Awards A total of $83 million will be awarded to 24 processors in 15 states through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, while $26.9 million will go to 33 projects in 23 states through the Local Meat Capacity grant program. Both are funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Announces Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) Problem Solving Clinics The next clinic is July 25, 12:30 p.m. ET. Register via the link above.
TREASURY
Treasury Posts State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Materials These include:
- Guide on obligating SLFRF funds through an interagency agreement
- State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds April 2024 reporting data analysis (through March 31, 2024)
- Updated SLFRF dashboard (through March 31, 2024)
- A reminder that Quarter 2 Project & Expenditure (P&E) Reports and Annual Recovery Plans are due on July 31.
Treasury Posts State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Fact Sheet: A Summary of Participating Jurisdictions’ 2022 and 2023 Annual Reports
Treasury Releases SSBCI Spotlight: How States, the District of Columbia, Territories, and Tribes are Using SSBCI to Catalyze Investment in Underserved Entrepreneurs and Venture Capital Fund Managers
OTHER NEWS
BUDGET UPDATE
FFIS Updates Jim Martin Table The table has been populated with recommended appropriations for selected grant programs based on the most recent actions in the House and Senate. Appropriations progress can be viewed here.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
President Signs Bill to Reauthorize Appropriations for the United States Fire Administration, Firefighter Assistance Grants (AFG), and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants The bill would reauthorize AFG and SAFER through FY 2030 and the USFA through FY 2028. It also aims to boost nuclear energy, including by simplifying the regulatory and permitting processes for small modular reactors.
GENERAL
HUD and FEMA Publish Pre-Disaster Housing Planning Initiative Report The report promotes collaborative approaches to disaster housing recovery and bolsters state planning for housing recovery before disasters occur.
Census Bureau Releases 2023 Survey of Income and Program Participation
Administration Releases Semiannual Regulatory Update The Spring 2024 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions reports on actions federal agencies plan to take in the near and long term.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Announces Awards Under Multiple Programs
- Environmental Education Grants: $3.6 million awarded to 38 organizations
- Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies Centers of Excellence: $5 million awarded to establish four Centers of Excellence and one national clearinghouse for new and emerging stormwater control technologies
- Innovative Water Workforce Development Grants: $20 million awarded to 13 workforce development organizations
EPA Updates Recommendations for Contaminants that State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Governments Should Consider Monitoring in Locally Caught Freshwater Fish National and regional guidance are available here.
HEALTH
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Proposed Rule Includes New Policies to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Advance Health Equity, and Support Underserved Communities The Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center proposed rule includes exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services “four walls” requirement and codifies the requirement of 12 months of continuous eligibility for children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), among many other changes. The proposed rule is available here and a fact sheet here.
CMS Releases Companion Guide to Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule The guide focuses on the fee-for-service financial provisions of the rule.
CMS Publishes Physician Payment Proposed Rule The Medicare proposed rule focuses on increasing value-based care, strengthening primary care, and expanding access to behavioral and oral health care.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Releases Proposed Rule to Improve Patient Engagement, Information Sharing, and Public Health Interoperability The proposed rule implements provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act and focuses on improving information sharing among patients, providers, payers, and public health authorities. A summary is available here.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Updates Eligibility of Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) guidance reflects the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, which extends federal public benefits to eligible parolees who arrive between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
ACF Seeks Comments on Changes to State and Tribal Child Support Agency Profiles ACF is proposing minor changes to the profiles, which provide high-level descriptions of each state and tribal program. Comments are due September 9.
HOMELAND SECURITY
FEMA Issues Final Rule to Fully Implement Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) and Update Review Process for Certain Floodplain Actions The rule, which incorporates both current and future flood risk into FEMA’s evaluation of certain projects, is effective September 9. FEMA also announced a notice of availability for its policy to implement the final rule.
FEMA Requests Information on Community Rating System (CRS) Redesign Effort, Announces Public Meetings The CRS is a voluntary incentive program within the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that recognizes and encourages floodplain management practices that exceed NFIP minimum requirements. FEMA is seeking input on ways to improve the program, including how it can support state and local goals around floodplain management. Comments are due September 9. FEMA will host three public meetings to provide an overview of the request and to receive feedback:
- August 21, 2:00 p.m. ET (register)
- August 22, 3:00 p.m. ET (register)
- August 27, 3:00 p.m. ET (tribal focused; register)
HOUSING
HUD Accepts New Communities to Participate in the ConnectHomeUSA Initiative The initiative provides training and technical assistance to help communities access affordable internet access, affordable devices, and digital skills training. A list of 97 new communities is here.
HUD Makes $40 Million Available to Prevent Evictions The Eviction Prevention Grant Program provides no-cost legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction from their homes. Applications are due August 20.
HUD Awards More than $30 Million Through Jobs Plus Program The program supports work readiness and connects public housing residents with employment, education, and financial empowerment services. Awards were made to 14 public housing agencies in 12 states; they are listed in the press release.
HUD Awards Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants Communities in Alabama, Florida, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas received $325 million to redevelop distressed housing with high-quality mixed-income options, while also providing residents with services focused on income, health, and education. Recipients are listed in the press release.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Updates Broadband Data Collection Processes, Proposes Rules to Enhance Precision of Broadband Map Comments on the proposal will be due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
FCC to Hold Webinar on Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program The pilot program will provide $200 million over a three-year period to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment. The webinar will take place July 23, 2:00 p.m. ET. (register)
INTERIOR
National Park Service (NPS) Awards Grants for Historic Preservation
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant Program: $10.6 million for 15 projects
- American Battlefield Protection Program Preservation Planning Grants: $1.2 million for eight projects
- Japanese American Confinement Sites grants: $3.3 million for nine projects
U.S. Geological Survey Seeks Comment on Draft Strategic Plan for National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) The NSDI is the technology, policies, criteria, standards, and employees necessary to promote geospatial data sharing throughout the public and private sectors. Additional information on the draft strategic plan for 2025-2035 is here. Comments are due August 6.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Awards Apprenticeship Grants In the second round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Grants, $39 million in formula grants will go to 46 states and territories, while $49 million in competitive grants will go to nine states. The agency is also awarding $195 million to 43 recipients in round 2 of the Apprenticeship Building America initiative.
DOL to Host Webinar on New Access for Unemployment Insurance Agencies to Do Not Pay Data Sources Through the Integrity Data Hub The access is the result of a new data sharing partnership between the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service Office of Payment Integrity and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ Unemployment Insurance Integrity Center. The webinar will take place July 23, 2:00 p.m. ET.
NUTRITION
USDA Awards $14.3 Million in Farm-to-School Grants The grants will support 154 projects in 46 states and territories. A full list of awardees is here.
USDA Announces Availability of Additional Nutrition Hub Funding A total of $4.5 million will be available to establish three additional USDA Nutrition Hubs to advance food and nutrition security and help prevent diet-related chronic diseases. The complete Request for Applications is available here (Program Priority 7i), and applications are due October 3.
USDA Announces Grants to Help States, Territories, Tribes Implement Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) The one-time grants, totaling $100 million, will support development and modifications to state technology systems needed to run the program with proper controls and integrity. The funds are available to all agencies implementing SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) this year as well as those planning to launch it next summer.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Partners Award $10 Million in School Food System Transformation Grants These awards from Full Plates Full Potential and the Illinois Public Health Institute, as well as earlier awards from the Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise State University and the Chef Ann Foundation, are listed here.
FNS Posts Webinar on Implementing Financial Review Requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program The requirements are those codified in the recently finalized Child Nutrition Program Integrity final rule.
FNS Posts Memo Answering Questions About Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Affecting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
FNS Publishes Guide to SNAP Corrective Action Plan State Requirements
FNS Publishes Annual Rate Adjustments
- National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates for School Lunch, Special Milk, School Breakfast Programs
- Payment and Reimbursement Rates for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
The rates took effect July 1 and extend through June 30, 2025.
TRANSPORTATION
U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System Requests Information to Identify Barriers to Planning for Climate Resilience in Ports Responses are due August 29.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Seeks Comment to Inform Update to Its Equity Action Plan Comments are due August 14.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Updates Uniform Procedures for State Highway Safety Grant Programs The revision increases from $5,000 to $10,000 the threshold for equipment purchases for which states must seek pre-approval. The rule is effective October 1 (for FY 2025 grants).
Maritime Administration Awards $8.75 Million in Small Shipyard Grants Across 12 States
FTA Reopens Comment Period for Proposed Information Collection on Program Evaluation for Processes and Outcomes Comments will be accepted through August 9.
TREASURY
Federal Bank Regulatory Agencies Release List of Distressed or Underserved Nonmetropolitan Middle-Income Geographies Revitalization or stabilization activities in these geographies are eligible to receive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) consideration under the community development definition for 12 months after publication of the current list.