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 Conferences
 2023 IACC Conference in Wenatchee Oct. 24–26: Invigorating Infrastructure
If you're attending the 2023 Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council Conference in Wenatchee this month, come find us! Brownfields staff from Ecology, EPA, and Commerce will be participating in sessions and hosting a table (we'll be showcasing brownfield successes in the Wenatchee area and asking for your brownfield funding roadblocks -- just look for Oscar the Grouch). Conference participants can check out resources and technical assistance and connect with representatives from local, state, federal, and Tribal governments. Registration is now closed but you can download past presentations and watch for 2023 presentations to post after the event. Learn more.
Funding opportunities & resources
EPA's Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup grants: apply by November 13
EPA is accepting applications for Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup grants. These grants are available to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and Tribes that are working to clean up vacant and abandoned properties to create community assets that will attract jobs and promote economic revitalization.
You can use these grants for a range of eligible assessment and cleanup activities in a target area or for a single contaminated site. Note that there won't be a solicitation for new Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grants this year, but EPA will offer supplemental funding to existing RLF grantees in spring 2024.
Applications must be submitted in Grants.gov by Monday, Nov. 13, 8:59 p.m. Pacific.
Non-Tribal applications require a letter of support from Ecology. Contact Ecology's Brownfields Team if you're considering applying for these grants. Learn more.
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EPA Informational Webinars
EPA hosted two webinars with overviews of the narrative/ranking criteria for the FY24 grant solicitation.
EPA's pre-recorded videos are a great resource for an overview of the grant submission process, the Narrative Information Sheet, and threshold requirements.
CCLR can review your grant applications!
The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) offers free technical assistance for brownfields practitioners in EPA Regions 9 and 10. (One good incentive to contact them: 91% of applications CCLR reviewed during FY2022 were awarded grants.) Connect with their team early in your application process. Learn more.
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Washington grants for rehabbing historic theaters: apply by October 31
There are more than 80 historic theaters operating in Washington state. If you own or lease one of them, you may be eligible for a $75K grant from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation to stabilize and rehabilitate the building. Eligible theaters must meet all four criteria:
- Originally built as a theater;
- Currently operating as or will be restored for use as a theater;
- In need of capital improvement (physical repairs); and
- Currently listed (or applying to be listed) in either the Washington Heritage Register or the National Register of Historic Places.
Applications due Tuesday, Oct. 31 by 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Watch the 2021–23 video to walk through the application -- it's the same process for the 2023–25 biennium. Learn more.
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Wildfire grants from Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program: apply by October 31
The Community Wildfire Defense Program helps at-risk local communities and Tribes plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire. The funding helps communities develop and revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), and implement projects described in their CWPP that's less than ten years old. Applications due through Grants.gov by Tuesday, Oct. 31 by 8:59 p.m. Pacific. Learn more.
National education grants for building skills and awareness: apply by November 8
EPA's Environmental Education Grants help build awareness and teach people skills that protect the environment. Each grant addresses one or more environmental issue and has an educational priority such as teacher training, educational advancement, or career development. Eligible applicants are:
- Local education agency
- State education or environmental agency
- College or university
- Nonprofit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
- Noncommercial educational broadcasting entity
- Tribal education agency
Applications due through Grants.gov by Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific. Read the FAQs. Learn more.
One $4M technical assistance grant available to Tribal Nations: apply by November 13
One recipient under a cooperative agreement will receive up to $4 million over 5 years in this new grant from EPA. The grant's purpose: provide specialized technical assistance that increases the capacity of Tribal governments and entities for building sustainable brownfield programs and strengthening capacity to manage successful brownfields reuse. Funds will become available in spring 2024. Applications due Monday Nov. 13 by 8:59 p.m. Pacific.
Washington grants for equipment caches: apply by November 14
Ecology offers grants that help communities prepare for and respond to emergencies like oil spills and fires. As an incentive, check out previous projects awarded in previous funding cycles. Applications due Tuesday, Nov. 14 by 5 p.m. Read the Sept. 13 blog. Learn more.
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Millions available to enhance legacy diesel fleets: apply by December 1
If you need to step up the upgrade, retrofit, and turnover of your legacy diesel fleet, apply for funds from EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act--they're awarding $115 million over the next two fiscal years. Applications due Friday Dec. 1 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific. Learn more.
Washington program funds EV charging installation
Dept. of Commerce's Electric Vehicle Charging Program reduces the costs associated with installing Level 2 and direct current fast chargers for public use. Recipients can receive up to 100% off eligible costs. Visit the eligibility & requirements page to start planning.
Your guide to federal brownfields programs & tax incentives
Explore 22 federal programs and 5 federal tax incentives that support brownfields cleanup and revitalization in EPA's 2023 Brownfields Federal Programs Guide.
You'll find descriptions of financial and technical assistance resources available from each agency, and the redevelopment process phase that applies. Each entry also has eligibility information, website links, and contacts, and a "snapshot highlight" of a local brownfield project that leveraged their assistance. Check out departments such as Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Small Business Administration--and even the National Endowment for the Arts.
Apply for a Targeted Brownfields Assessment
EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) program promotes the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields by helping states, Tribes, municipalities, other government entities, and nonprofit organizations minimize the uncertainties of contamination often associated with brownfields. Unlike funded grants, TBAs are an EPA service, and the assessments are conducted by an EPA contractor. A TBA may encompass one or more of three activities:
- “All appropriate inquiries” assessment (Phase I), which includes a background and historical investigation, and a site inspection.
- Full site assessment (Phase II), including sampling activities to identify areas of contamination and types and concentrations of contaminants.
- Determining how much more investigation is needed and/or establishing cleanup options and cost estimates based on planned uses after redevelopment.
No application deadlines for this service. Learn more.
 Affordable Housing
Washington grants reduce costs of affordable housing's utility connections: apply by October 31
Local governments in Washington can apply for grants to improve affordable housing utilities through Dept. of Commerce's Connection Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). The program's goal is to build more housing units faster by covering the upfront costs of infrastructure and connections to municipal systems. The program also spurs affordable housing development options by helping local governments reduce per unit connection fees that pay for area-wide improvements to water or wastewater systems. Project requests are limited to $2 million and the funds can pay for:
- Onsite water, sewer, and stormwater improvements for the housing development.
- Offsite water, sewer, and stormwater improvements in the right-of-way, connecting to the development.
- Waived system development charges for the project.
Apply for the 2023–25 funding biennium through Tuesday Oct. 31, 2023, by selecting the CHIP link on ZoomGrants. Learn more.
HUD grants to revitalize housing and neighborhoods: apply by November 21
HUD's Choice Neighborhoods program offers nationwide grants to communities to help severely distressed public and/or assisted housing and make critical improvements in their neighborhoods. There are two deadlines. Previous winners can apply for Supplemental Grants by March 2024. New applicants can apply for Implementation Grants in Grants.gov by Tuesday Nov. 21 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific.
Environmental & Climate Justice
Habitat restoration grants for Tribes and underserved communities: apply by December 19
NOAA offers grants for projects that advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of Tribes and underserved communities. The funding also helps communities build capacity for participating in restoration activities. $20 million of the $45 million available is specifically available to U.S. federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and organizations that represent Tribes through formal legal agreements. Proposals due in Grants.gov by Tuesday Dec. 19 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific. Read the news release. Learn more.
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Playbook offers rural communities practical steps
EPA has a playbook to help rural communities revitalize their downtowns, with practical steps for organizing a local team that has the right mix of skills to reimagine, initiate, and attract investment. Download the PDF. Download the webinar.
Recorded webinars spotlight EJ funding opportunities
Learn how EPA's Environmental and Climate Grant Program works through webinar recordings and slide decks, and find out if your organization is eligible for this funding. Several sessions were held in August for select audiences that include federally recognized Tribal governments, Alaskan native villages, Tribal community representatives, and interested parties within specified U.S. territories. Access the slides & recordings.
 Contact us if you have a brownfield project!
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