How to Apply for New Water/Sewer Infrastructure Grants

Join us Monday, June 14 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm for a live technical assistance webinar on how your community can apply for newly available water/sewer infrastructure grant programs. These new programs are funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP Act) and House Bill 632 passed by the 67th Montana Legislature.

The webinar will be recorded and made available to the public after June 14. Email DOCCDD@mt.gov or call 406.841.2770 if you have questions and visit ARPA.MT.GOV for more information on the American Rescue Plan Act and what it might mean for your community.

What is the ARP Act?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides state and local aid to make necessary investments in water and sewer infrastructure. The 67th Montana Legislature passed HOUSE BILL 632 which directed the federal funds available under the American Rescue Plan Act for use in Montana. Section 1 – Section 5 address how the federal funds will be distributed to necessary water and sewer infrastructure projects. House Bill 632 created the Infrastructure Advisory Commission who will oversee spending on water and sewer infrastructure projects along with the Governor of Montana.

House Bill 632 establishes two grant programs for water and sewer, a Competitive Grant Program, and a Minimum Allocation Grant Program.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is responsible for reviewing and ranking projects as well as recommending them for funding to the Infrastructure Advisory Commission.

The Montana Department of Commerce is responsible for assembling a technical assistance team to notify local governments, with an emphasis on rural local governments, about the water and sewer grant opportunities available, to assist local governments in the application process and to offer limited engineering assistance.