Major Funding Opportunities for the OVRDC Region

 

Governor’s Office of Appalachia/Ohio Department of Development

 Name/Link Deadlines Eligible Entities General Purpose Funding

Appalachian Community Grant Program (ACGP)

 

Round 1 awarded.

Round 2 application period opens November 2023, due late December 2023 early January 2024.

Entities must be exclusively within the 32-county Ohio Appalachian region. Local units of government and government-related entities are eligible to serve as Lead Applicants for a project. Educational institutions and nonprofits are also Eligible Lead Applicants. Additional details can be found in the program guidelines. Technical Assistance Grants and Development Grants

Assist local stakeholders to identify opportunities for transformational change and include one or more components from three concentration areas:  infrastructure, healthcare, or workforce

$500 million available in multiple rounds; no match required; applications must be minimum of $1 million and up

Broadband Funding 

 Name/Link Deadlines Eligible Entities General Purpose Funding
Broadband USA/National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Interactive Grant Guide

 

multiple Local Government/Public Agency/Non-Profits The interactive guide is based on the information
provided by federal agencies and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for NTIA’s
BroadbandUSA Federal Funding Website.
Varies
Broadband – USDA ReConnect  various

Corporations, LLCs and  Partnerships, Co-Op, State or Local Government, Agency, Political Subdivision, Territories, or Indian Tribes

Broadband Construction, Improvement, Facility Acquisition & Equipment in Eligible Rural Areas Varies – 100% grant, 100% loan, or 50% grant/plus 50% loan

Community Connect Grant Program – Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Program

June 20. 2023

An incorporated organization,  Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304;
a State, unit of local government; any other legal entity, including a cooperative, private corporation, or limited liability (LLC) company organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis; applicant may not be an individual or partnership

Serve a Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA) where Broadband Service (25 Mbps/3 Mbps) does not currently exist; grant funds be used to fund at least 2, but not more than 10 computer access points

Grant guidelines available here.

minimum $100k, maximum $5million  (15% cash match required)
Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program (ORBEG) Round 2 coming soon

Click here for list of Rd 1 awards to ISPs

Internet service providers Broadband Construction Projects (in unserved and underserved areas of Ohio) Varies (5% – 15% match required)

Economic & Community Development

 Name/Link Deadlines Eligible Entities General Purpose Funding
AARP Community Challenge Grant March 501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits, Government entities and Others Small grants to fund quick-action projects (completed in the same year awarded) to help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Varies, usually $10k – $15k, no match
ARC – Appalachian Regional Commission  Pre-application due May 19, 2023 Local Government/Public Agency/Non-Profits Jobs/Infrastructure/Culture through various programs including Distressed County, Area Development, Rapid Response, Access Roads Varies
ARC – Appalachian Regional Commission Varies Local Government/Public Agency/Non-Profits Individuals/Students INSPIRE, POWER, ARISE, READY and capacity building opportunities including ARC Leadership Academy, STEM Academy Varies
Building Demolition & Site Revitalization Program – Ohio Department of Development Ongoing

Counties must establish one “Lead Entity” as Applicant, Usually a Land Reutilization Corporation

Blighted, Vacant, or Abandoned Structures Eligible for Demolition

FAQ available here

$500,000 set-aside per county that will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis until June 30, 2022
COVID-related Business and Community Grants Multiple Multiple Community, Individuals & Business-related Grants Varies
EDA Distressed Areas RECOMPETE Program Rd 1 October 15, 2023 Local Government/Public Agency/Non-Profits Invest in persistently distressed communities to create and connect people to good jobs, renew economic opportunity in communities where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through large, flexible investments Varies – $200 million total available
Don Myers Legacy Fund – Foundation for Appalachian Ohio March 2023 Non Profit and Public Organizations Improve Quality of Life (Educational, Regional Networking Opportunities, Support for Community Leaders, and Fulfillment of Basic Needs
Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Community Grant Program September 2023 Lawrence, Vinton, Gallia,  Highland, Jackson; and for Black-led and Black-serving organizations across Appalachian Ohio local nonprofit and public organizations working in Arts & Culture, Community & Economic Development, Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Health & Human Services at least $10,000
Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation – NRAC September 29, 2023 by 4 pm Multiple Preserve/Revitalize Green Space Varies
EDA – Economic Development Administration  Multiple Public Agency Create/Retain Jobs Varies
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency Multiple Multiple Improve Air & Water Quality Varies
EPA – Recreation Economy for Rural Communities November Local Governments/Indian Tribes/Non-Profits Planning Assistance Workshops and Project Funding Varies
FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) December 2023 Fire Departments, non-affiliated EMS, State Fire Training Academies Operations and Safety, Vehicle Acquisition and Regional Projects Varies
FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFIR) February 2023 Fire Departments; any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization; and nonprofits representing the
interests of volunteer firefighters
Hiring of Firefighters (Hiring) Activity; plus Recruitment and Retention (R&R) Activity Varies – program has $560 million total capitalization (no match required)
Just Transition Fund RFP  rolling for some funds Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits Support for Coal Communities Funding Applications (technical support, planning, match and more) Up to $25,000
ODNR – H2Ohio:  Ohio River Basin Wetlands Grant Program April 1, 2022 Multiple Improve Water Quality Up to $500,000  (no match)

Ohio Arts Economic Relief Grant Program

March 31, 2023 Ohio Performing Arts Organizations or operators of Cultural Arts Museums Performing Arts Organizations or operators of Cultural Arts Museums in the state of Ohio. The grants can be used to defray the organization’s or operator’s operating expenses Up to $1.5 million, equal to 10% of the applicant’s calendar year 2022 operating expenses
OPWC – Ohio Public Works Commission Multiple Government Water/Sewer/Road Varies
RIPL – Rural Industrial Park Loan Ohio Department of Development Multiple Multiple Infrastructure/Business Varies
RLF – Revolving Loan Funds Rolling Businesses Create/Retain Jobs $300,000 max
School Safety Grants from Ohio AG Office Feb. 28, 2023 (by 11:59 p.m.) Public schools, charter schools, educational service centers, STEM schools, and schools operated by county boards of developmental disabilities Safety projects, crisis-response technology, training, resources, supplies Varies $2,500 up to $20k
TechCred Ohio Quarterly Businesses Upskilling/Training for Credentials Varies
T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program Quarterly – next due date is September 2023 Small towns with population fewer than 50k

Funds for projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your community

Up to $50k
USDA – Rural Energy for American Program Technical Assistance Grant  July 15, 2023 – August 15, 2023 A unit of State, Tribal, or local government; A land-grant college or university, or other institution of higher education; An electric cooperative; A public power entity; Investor-owned utility; A council, as defined under the Resource Conservation and Development Program, at 16 U.S. C. 3451; Not-for-profit entity; For-profit entity; Sole proprietor business; Other business entities (regardless of legal structure)
  • Assisting agricultural producers or rural small businesses to apply for assistance under the Rural Energy for America Program for Energy Efficiency Improvements, or Renewable Energy Systems.
  • Providing information on how to improve the energy efficiency of the operations and to use renewable energy technologies and resources in their operations.
  • Conducting and promoting energy audits and assessments as defined in Section 4280.103.
  • Preparing a technical report in accordance with the Section 4280.110.
  • Assisting with filing in SAM and UEI registration.
  • Assisting with completing a REAP grant application in accordance with Section 4280.116
  • Assisting with planning construction and development in accordance with Section 4280.125
  • Assisting with completion of environmental reports required for completion of applications.
$100k to $500k
USDA – Rural Energy for America Program REAP will host six quarterly competitions to obligate $1.05 billion throughout the remainder of FY 2023 and FY 2024. A unit of State, Tribal, or local government; A land-grant college or university, or other institution of higher education; An electric cooperative; A public power entity; Investor-owned utility; A council, as defined under the Resource Conservation and Development Program, at 16 U.S. C. 3451; Not-for-profit entity; For-profit entity; Sole proprietor business; Other business entities (regardless of legal structure) Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.

Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs.

Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

 

The maximum grant size was increased from $250,000 to $500,000 for energy efficiency projects and from $500,000 to $1 million for renewable energy systems.

USDA – US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Multiple Multiple Infrastructure/Business/Facilities/Housing Varies
Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Grants (CARES Act/ARPA) Rolling (until funds are depleted) County, Township, Municipal Corporation, also Public Entities (within a political subdivision with the authority to own and operate public water and sewer systems and non-profit, non-community public water systems) Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Varies, typically $5mil – $10mil

Transportation Funding

Name/Link Deadlines Eligible Entities General Purpose Funding
Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) March 2022 Government Freight/Inter-Modal/NHS $5mil or $25mil+
National Park Service (NPS)

NPS History of Equal Rights (HER) 

NPS Underrepresented Communities Grant Fund (URC)

 

July 11, 2023

 

July 18, 2023

Multiple HER Grants will fund a broad range of preservation projects for historic sites including: architectural services, historic structure reports, preservation plans, and physical preservation to structures

URC Grant projects include surveys and inventories of historic properties associated with communities underrepresented in the National Register, as well as the development of nominations to the National Register for specific sites

Varies
Ohio Bridge Partnership Program  April 15, 2022 Counties/Municipalities Bridges Varies up to $1mil
Safety  April 30/Sept 30 Government Roadway Safety Varies
Safe Routes To Schools (SRTS) March 5, 2022 Government Improve School Travel Safety Varies
Small Cities June 15, 2022 Cities (5k to 25k) Chillicothe, Hillsboro, Jackson, Portsmouth, Washington CH, Wellston Multiple Varies
OVRDC Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) August 1, 2023 by 3 pm Project must be located in one of OVRDC RTPO member counties: Adams, Brown, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, rural portions of Lawrence (not covered by KYOVA), Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton Roadway projects on Federal-Aid Eligible Routes (exceptions for bike/ped, transit, safety, non-highway freight projects) Requires 10% local match; Max $200k for preliminary engineering; $500k for other phases of construction
Township Safety Sign Program (ODOT) May 2023 Townships Upgrade/Install Signage; Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Up to $50K
Township Stimulus Program (ODOT) November 19, 2021 (one time program) Townships Only Roads, Sidewalks, Culverts Up to $250,000 (no match required)
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Letter of Interest due

October 31, 2022
Government Bike/Ped/Other Varies
Trails-Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) April 2023 Multiple Trails/Design/Acquisition  $850,000 max
Trails – ODNR CleanOhio Trail Fund April 17, 2023 Local governments, park and joint recreation districts, conservancy districts, soil and water conservation districts, and non-profit organizations Trails/Design/Acquisition

  • New recreational trail construction (non-motorized and motorized)
  • Trail maintenance/restoration
  • Trailside and trailhead facilities (for example, parking, restrooms, potable water, etc.)
  • Acquisition of easements and property for recreational trails or recreational trail corridors
  • Educational programs promoting trail safety and environmental protection (These projects cannot exceed 5 percent of Ohio’s annual RTP apportionment.)
typically there are 1.6 million dollars available annually through RTP and 6.25 million dollars available annually through the COTF
 

Mobility Management

February 22, 2021 Multiple Transportation operations and needs Varies up to $80,000

For an expanded list of funding opportunities available from the Ohio Department of Transportation see the links below.