Grants

County officials and employees may find the following resources helpful when searching for grant funding and low-interest loans. Any specific questions concerning these resources should be directed to the specific agency.

NACo Funding Opportunities for Counties Matrix

SCDOT Accepting Letters of Intent for TAP Projects: Deadline May 3

The first round of funding for the 2024 South Carolina Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) opened this month.

The S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is now accepting letters of intent for the program that supports a variety of non-motorized transportation projects. The deadline is 4 p.m. May 3.

Find the letter of intent form, view a recording of the March workshop and get more information via SCDOT’s TAP page.

If you have questions about the program or your proposed project--especially if it exceeds $1 million--contact SCDOT TAP Program Manager Amy Blinson at (803) 737-1952.

FY24 Historic Preservation Fund Grants: Application Deadline April 30

Applications and instructions for the FY24 Historic Preservation Grants are available at this link. Administered by the SHPO, the matching grants can assist two types of projects: Survey and Planning and Stabilization. Any local government, non-profit, or institution in South Carolina may apply for a Survey and Planning Project. Local governments, non-profits and institutions located in a CLG community may also apply for a Stabilization Project. At least 10% of the state’s annual allocation from the National Park Service must be awarded to CLGs. Grant awards generally range from $2,500 to $35,000. For more information, contact Brad Sauls at 803-896-6172, or bsauls@scdah.sc.gov.

Energy Grant and Funding Opportunities

US Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program

Competitive EECBG Grants

The US. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program available to local governments in South Carolina. The first prerequisite to apply for the EECBG Program is completing the Pre-Award Information Sheet, due April 28 by email to eecbg@hq.doe.gov. The information provided regarding the decision to apply for a voucher or a grant in the Pre-Award document is non-binding. Counties pursuing the grant option will need a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number to submit the form. If you do not have one, please register on the System for Award Management.

Note: This can take three weeks to process, so it’s important to get started early!

DOE continues to release information about the EECBG Program, including informational webinars about the grant application process, vouchers option, and the DOE technical assistance available to support eligible entities. More information about upcoming webinars and webinar recordings can be found on the DOE EECBG Program website. If you have questions, you may direct them to the EECBG Program Inbox: eecbg@doe.hq.gov.

Formula EECBG Funding

Ten South Carolina counties are initially eligible for EECBG formula funding. For more information contact SC Department of Energy office at rtolton@ors.sc.gov.

EECBG for SC Formula Eligible Entities Webinar

ConserFund Loan

ConserFund is a revolving loan program administered by the South Carolina Energy Office for energy-efficiency improvements in state agencies, public colleges or universities, school districts, local governments, and 501 (c)(3) organizations. The loan program is focused on supporting the implementation of energy-efficient improvements that provide long-term cost reductions and energy savings. Loans range from $25,000 to $500,000 per fiscal year with a maximum 10-year term. More information is available on the SC Energy Office's page.

SCDOT Publishes List of On-Call Consultants for Local Government Project Management Services

All local governments are asked to contact Roxanne Ancheta, SCDOT’s Director of Grants, at least a month in advance if you are planning to apply for a federal or state grant or earmark for a project on the State Highway System. Ms. Ancheta can be reached at (803) 737-1232 or via email at AnchetaRM@scdot.org

White House Guidebook on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

FEMA announced a significant investment in climate resiliency by authorizing $3.46 billion for the 59 major disaster declarations issued due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

With the growing climate change crisis facing the nation, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program will provide funding for states, tribes and territories to maximize their investment in mitigation measures that result in safer and more resilient communities. This new funding will allow communities across the nation to further develop capacity and take mitigation actions that will foster greater resilience and reduce disaster suffering.

Across the country, Americans have witnessed the enormous and devastating effects of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and other events. The increasing duration, intensity and severity of such disasters, which are exacerbated by changes in population, land use and weather patterns, are alarming and highlight one of the most important emergency management challenges facing the United States. The impacts of natural hazards on communities, families, individuals and our economy make it imperative to invest in creating infrastructure and communities more resilient to natural hazards.

FEMA encourages state, local, tribal and territorial governments with significant vulnerabilities that lack the resources to invest in mitigation to leverage the funds being authorized through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

For more information, visit FEMA.gov.

The USDA - Rural Development

The Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area. Learn more & apply on the USDA - Rural Development website.