Finally, football season is upon us again! But what does this have to do with your infrastructure funding? Well, if you are a football fan, you know that every play starts with a huddle. In a football huddle, the quarterback gathers all of their teammates and calls the best play for the situation. The decision of which play to call is based on an analysis of the team’s current situation and with the input from many individuals and perspectives. With a little luck and when everyone does their best to complete the play, the team moves down the football field and scores. Sometimes it takes a lot of plays to score, other times it happens with just one play. This same huddle process and play calling goes on in most government infrastructure funding agencies to help communities advance their water utilities. The government agency funding huddle is probably a bit more complex than most football team huddles. But huddle up they do and communities move their water services forward (for the score).
Confused? Let us explain a bit more in football terms.
The Team
The team is composed of several federal and state agencies that fund water infrastructure projects. Each agency has strengths (projects/applicants that their programs can fund) and weaknesses (projects/applicants that they cannot fund or fund easily). In most states, there are at least two “stars” of the team. One is the state agency that administers the State Revolving Fund program. The second is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development. Each of these agencies have several different funding programs that your community’s water infrastructure project may qualify for. For example, your state agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund or Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs may be the perfect “play” for your community’s needs. Or, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program may be the best “play” for your community’s needs depending on several factors. It all just depends on the analysis by the organizations of your situation. Some of these factors include:
- What infrastructure your community needs (water or wastewater or stormwater)
- The urgency of your community’s needs
- Your community’s financial capacity or ability to finance the infrastructure
- The overall priorities of the funding agencies
- The overall funding available from the funding agencies
The “Team” is not limited to just these two agencies. The “Team” varies in each state. The Environmental Finance Center Network has compiled a roster of the “Funding Team” for you. There are other “stars” out there. For example, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSmart programs are an excellent option for some projects in western states. Other “stars” include private banks and various organizations. The EFCN has compiled a very thorough roster of the “team” so make sure you check it out.
The Huddle
The huddle is the meeting of the various funding agencies to assess your community’s situation and to make recommendations on which funding programs to pursue. The “huddles” occur differently in each state. In Kansas, the huddle is officially known as the “Kansas Interagency Advisory Committee” or KIAC. It meets once a year to review projects and make recommendations. The huddle in Oklahoma is known as the “Funding Agency Coordination Team” or FACT. It meets quarterly and involves funding agencies, technical assistance providers, and other organizations involved with the water industry. The actual “huddle” process varies between states. In some “huddles” the community is invited to attend and answer questions about their projects. In other states’ “huddles” the community has to prepare a general application answering questions about their projects, but they are not invited to attend in person to the “huddle”.
The outcome of the “huddle” is recommendations to the applicant communities about the different funding programs that are available to fit their needs.
The “Play” and “Options”
Teams and quarterbacks have a wide range of “plays” they can select from. In order for your community to have a “play” to be considered and called, you need to get in touch with one or more of the funding agencies and become familiar with their requirements and funding processes. This process varies between states and between funding organizations. Some organizations will accept proposals year-round, others require the proposals to be submitted during specific time frames. And in emergency situations, like a leaking water tower, some organizations may have emergency funding programs available to help your community. This may take a couple of days to do, but the EFCN’s roster of the “Funding Team” will get you off to a great start with potential contacts to reach out to. In addition, most state and federal agencies have field staff that are excellent starting points to get in touch with and may be able to direct you to specific individuals to contact. Here are a few tips for this process:
- Complete a quick assessment of your community’s infrastructure needs. What is the realistic time frame that the infrastructure is needed (ie, ASAP or in a few years?). Be open and honest with the agencies as you discuss potential funding options.
- Ask the funding agencies:
- Is there a specific time frame that applications are accepted?
- Is there a specific application/form that must be completed and if so, how do you obtain the form?
- Ask which funding programs they administer that may fit your community’s infrastructure needs? Ask the staff if they know of other organizations programs that may also fit your needs?
- Can the organization provide examples of previous applications that were accepted for funding?
- Are there any specific requirements/compliance issues for a program that they are aware of that has caused other applicants’ issues?
- Make sure that you have the proper staff member and their contact information for follow up questions.
The Quarterback
The quarterback is you. This is your chance to shine and help move your community forward with its water utility. You will have some decisions to make. First, you will need help to move ahead. The help may come in the form of other co-workers who can do some of the research/inquiring needed to bring the funding team together. Or the help may come in the form of a technical assistance provider such as your region’s Environmental Finance Center, your state’s Rural Water Association, (Rural Community Assistance Providers) or other technical assistance providers. Next, call the play/make the best decision for your community based on the recommendations and options you receive from your other teammates that are in the huddle with you. Listen to the teammates and their recommendations/options that are available as they huddle and review your community’s needs. Ultimately, you are the quarterback, and the ball is in your hands to move your community forward for the win!
