Local governments will again have a chance to compete for infrastructure funding through a special Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District program that encourages local government entities to work together.<\/p>\n
Even though no grants were awarded in the first year of the program, the FMLD board is giving it another shot.<\/p>\n
Applications are now available on the District\u2019s website [www.colorado.gov\/gcfmld] for the Joint Grant Program, which encourages eligible entities to work together on major capital projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne 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,\u201d explains a press release from the Garfield FMLD.<\/p>\n
The project would need to be completed within two years of the grant award date.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe directors are again making $1 million available for this program,\u201d FMLD Board President Gregg Rippy said in the release. \u201cAs with our regular grant programs, applicants will have to be eligible entities seeking funding for eligible projects.<\/p>\n
To be eligible for funding through the FMLD, applicants must be political subdivisions of the state located in Garfield County.<\/p>\n
Typical grant projects involve planning, construction and maintenance of public facilities, or the provision of public services. For the joint grant program, applications will only be accepted for the construction and maintenance of public facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been pushing for this program for years, and last year we finally got it off the ground,\u201d Director Mike Samson said.<\/p>\n
The FMLD did not fund any of the joint grant applications it received last year, because none met the full spirit or requirements of the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked about it, and we\u2019re willing to give it another try,\u201d Samson said. \u201cIt\u2019s our ongoing hope that entities will work together for their common good. There\u2019s a lot of need out there. It doesn\u2019t make sense when communities say they need money and they don\u2019t even apply for the funds we have. We\u2019re confident this year we\u2019ll have better results than last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
In order to give towns, cities, school districts and special districts enough time to identify projects of mutual benefit, applications are again being made available one month before the fall grant cycle begins on Aug. 1. The FMLD will again award traditional and mini grants for the cycle, as well.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to get these funds into the communities where they are needed and not have them sitting in a reserve account,\u201d board Secretary Steve Rippy said.<\/p>\n