GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO –Local governments will have a chance to compete for badly needed infrastructure funding. The Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District is offering a new grant program this summer.
On Monday, July 2, applications will be available on the District’s website (www.colorado.gov/gcfmld) for the new Joint Grant Program, which encourages eligible entities to work together on major capital projects. One entity will serve as the primary applicant and fiscal agent for the grant, but must be joined by one or more entities, all of whom must participate financially to a significant degree in the application and project. The project would need to be completed within two years of the grant award date.
“The Directors are making $1,000,000.00 available for this program,” Board President Gregg Rippy said. “As with our regular grant programs, applicants will have to be eligible entities seeking funding for eligible projects.”
To be eligible for funding through the FML District, applicants must be political subdivisions of the state. Normally projects eligible for funding are planning, construction and maintenance of public facilities, or the provision of public services. But for the new program, applications will only be accepted for the construction and maintenance of public facilities.
“We’re excited about this. I’ve been pushing for this program for years,” Director Mike Samson said. “It’s the Board’s hope that entities will work together for their common good. I have faith everybody will use their imaginations to come up with some great projects. We know there’s a lot of need out there.”
In order to give towns, cities, school districts, and special districts enough time to identify projects of mutual benefit, applications are being made available one month before the Fall Grant Cycle begins on August 1. The Fall Cycle will again include a traditional grant program and a mini grant program.
Eligible entities will be able to submit applications in all three programs, and filing deadlines for the Joint Grant Program will be the same as those for the other two programs in the Fall Grant Cycle.
At present, the Joint Program is planned as a one-time program. “The Directors are able to offer this program now because the district has funds in reserve,” General Counsel Andrew Gorgey said. “Their goal is to get these funds out into the community where they are needed and not to have them sitting in a reserve account.”
CONTACT:
Gregg Rippy, President, Board of Directors
Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District
817 Colorado Ave., Suite 201
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 379-6100 (direct)