PROGRAM PRIORITIES
Native American Grants
Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC)
Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP)
Colonias Grants
Alaskan Villages Grants
 

Native American Grants

Funds have been set aside for eligible projects that benefit members of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (Tribal Members). Applications are processed in accordance with all eligibility and other requirements of 7 C.F.R 1777, Section 306C Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants. These funds cannot be used for projects that are eligible for funding under any other R D set-aside.

The use of R D loan funds, as well as funds from other sources, in conjunction with the grant funds is strongly encouraged whenever feasible to maximize the investment in Indian Country. Generally, applicants are expected to borrow as much as they can afford to repay, as in the regular loan program.
 

 Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) and Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) funds

Program funds for EZ/EC are designed to empower people and communities all across this Nation by inspiring Americans to work together to improve living conditions in their communities, and create jobs and opportunity.

The REAP initiative was established to address critical issues related to constraints in economic activity and growth, low density settlement patterns, stagnant or declining employment, and isolation that has led to disconnection from markets, suppliers, and centers of information and finance.

Fifty-seven rural areas have been designated as EZs and ECs and an additional 5 REAP zones have been selected. These communities meet certain poverty and distress criteria and have prepared creative strategic plans for revitalization. The Federal government will focus special attention on working cooperatively with designated communities to overcome regulatory impediments, to permit flexible use of existing Federal funds, and to assist these communities in meeting essential mandates.
 

Colonias

Colonias is a term used to describe subdivisions that exist outside incorporated areas located along the United States-Mexico border. Colonias are generally characterized as small communities with inadequate drinking water, poor sanitary waste disposal facilities, and substandard housing.

Water and waste disposal systems can obtain up to 100 percent grants to construct basic drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste disposal and storm drainage to serve residents of Colonias. Also, the systems can obtain funds to provide grant assistance directly to individuals to install necessary indoor plumbing like bathrooms and pay other costs of connecting to the system.

Applications for systems are processed in accordance with all eligibility and other requirements of 7 C F R 1777, Section 306C Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants. Applications for individuals are processed in accordance with all eligibility and other requirements of 7 C F R Part 3550, Appendix 8, Section 306 Water and Waste Disposal Grants to Individuals.

 

 Alaskan Villages Grants

There are great needs in rural Alaska, where many villages are not even accessible by road, and some are essentially inaccessible during the long, hard winters. They lag far behind the lower 48 States in having safe and dependable drinking water and suitable waste disposal systems available. In addition, construction costs are extremely high. This is due in part to the severe weather conditions, which make laying pipe difficult, if not impossible, and which require the use of heavy insulation. It is also due in part to the remoteness of many of the communities, since in some cases the only way to get materials to a site is by barge, adding significantly to the cost.