The Strategic Growth Council requests submittal of Proposals for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program. Cities, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs), Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (RTPAs), Councils of Governments (COGs), or combination thereof, are eligible to apply. It is anticipated that proposals funded under this solicitation will be not less than $100,000 nor greater than $1,000,000 each. 

Sustainable communities shall promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment and promote healthy, safe communities.There are several focus areas. Proposals need to be responsive to the program objectives in order to be competitive.

There are three focus areas for funding:

Focus Area # 1: Local Sustainable Planning
Eligible Applicants: Cities & Counties
Intent: Support the development and implementation of effective and/or innovative local plans that support the state's AB 32 GHG emission reduction targets and implement SB 375, while creating sustainable communities.

Focus Area # 2: Regional SB 375 Plus
Eligible Applicants: MPOs
Intent: Fund MPOs to collaborate with local governments to implement SB 375 and/or AB 32 at the city or county level, within the context of the three E's of sustainable communities: healthy environment and economy and equitable access to regional resources and amenities. The outcome of these efforts should support successful Sustainable Community Strategies that help meet the regional targets established by CARB.

Focus Area # 3: Regional Planning Activities with Multiple Partners
Eligible Applicants: Cities, Counties, RTPAs, JPAs and COGs.
Intent: Support collaboration between cities and/or counties, JPAs, COGs or RTPAs to work with local governments to develop or implement regional plans that meet the intent of SB 732.

Proposals are due August 31, 2010. Workshops will be available  to provide technical assistance in preparing grant applications and vetting project proposals for eligibility and competitiveness. Please follow the link below for a complete schedule of dates and locations.

For any questions regarding the SGC Planning Grants please email
SGCSustainablecommunities@conservation.ca.gov or call (916) 322-3439

The Department of Toxic Substances Control Revolving Loan Fund provides subgrants or loans for the redevelopment of brownfields to municipalities, nonprofits or developers who are bona fide purchasers, innocent land owners, or contiguous property owners. Contact Thomas Cota at 714-484-5459 or tcota@dtsc.ca.gov.

The Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (USTCF) provides owners or operators of onsite leaking underground storage tanks with assessment and cleanup funds. Contact Diana Romero at 916-341-5766 or dromero@waterboards.ca.gov.

The Orphan Site Cleanup Fund (OSCF) provides eligible owners or operators of UST sites that are not covered by the USTCF with assessment and cleanup funds. Contact Judy Reid at 916-341-5760 or jreid@waterboards.ca.gov.

The Cleanup Loans and Environmental Assistance to Neighborhoods (CLEAN) Program provides low interest loans to finance environmental assessment and hazardous waste cleanups. Loans for Preliminary Endangerment Assessments are available up to $100,000. At this time, DTSC is not accepting CLEAN applications, but anticipate accepting loan applications in Fall 2010.

Under the Targeted Brownfields Assessment program, EPA Region 9 contractors conduct environmental site assessments for public agencies at brownfields where there are reuse plans. Contact Carolyn Douglas at 415-972-3092 or douglas.carolyn@epa.gov.

Under the EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities program, CCLR provides in-kind technical assistance and training to communities and other stakeholders on brownfields issues with the goal of increasing the community's understanding and involvement in brownfield cleanup and revitalization. The TAB grants serve as an independent source of information assisting communities with community involvement, better understanding the health impacts of brownfield sites, science and technology relating to brownfield site assessment, remediation, and site preparation activities, brownfield finance questions, and information on integrated approaches to brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. Contact Ignacio Dayrit at 415-398-1080 x107 or ignacio.dayrit@cclr.org.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to award $600 million in TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants. Funds for the TIGER II program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

Eligible applicants include State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi-State or multi-jurisdictional groups applying through a single lead, eligible applicant.

Pre-applications must be submitted by July 16, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 23, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The DOT pre-application system will open no later than June 15, 2010 to allow prospective applicants to submit pre-applications. DOT will evaluate all applications and announce the projects that have been selected to receive TIGER II Discretionary Grants no sooner than September 15, 2010.

Public comment on the NOFA will be accepted until May 28, 2010. For more information, see Question 3 of the FAQ (link below).

- Fact Sheet

- Full announcement and FAQ

- Interim Notice of Fund Availability

EDA announces general policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs that will promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress.

Current Closing Date for Applications: September 30, 2010 - Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received.

For more information, visit http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09-EDAP-FFO-FINAL.pdf

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) advances economic growth by assisting communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. EDA requests proposals for the following programs: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, EDA has allocated $14.7 million to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. Proposals are being accepted and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Eligible Entities: State and local governments, nonprofit organizations

Application Due: September 30, 2010

For more info, including contact info, go to the following link:

The California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act of 2004 (AB 389) provides qualified innocent landowners, bona fide purchasers or contiguous property owners with immunity from liability for certain hazardous materials response costs or other damages.

The Site Designation Process (AB 2061) allows a Responsible Party who agrees to carry out a site investigation and remedial action to request the Site Designation Committee within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) to designate a single state or local agency to oversee the cleanup action.

The California Land Environmental Restoration and Reuse Act (CLERRA, SB 32) enables cities and counties to direct or conduct the investigation and remediation at brownfield sites that are outside of redevelopment areas.

The Polanco Redevelopment Law provides redevelopment agencies with tools to respond to brownfield properties. Polanco prescribes processes for redevelopment agencies to follow when cleaning up a hazardous substance release in a redevelopment project area. It also provides immunity from liability for redevelopment agencies and subsequent property purchasers for sites cleaned up under an approved cleanup plan.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control and local Regional Water Quality Control Boards have various programs to expedite the remedial process and to limit liability for prospective purchasers.

The Strategic Growth Council requests submittal of Proposals for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program. Cities, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs), Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (RTPAs), Councils of Governments (COGs), or combination thereof, are eligible to apply. It is anticipated that proposals funded under this solicitation will be not less than $100,000 nor greater than $1,000,000 each. 

Sustainable communities shall promote equity, strengthen the economy, protect the environment and promote healthy, safe communities.There are several focus areas. Proposals need to be responsive to the program objectives in order to be competitive.

There are three focus areas for funding:

Focus Area # 1: Local Sustainable Planning
Eligible Applicants: Cities & Counties
Intent: Support the development and implementation of effective and/or innovative local plans that support the state's AB 32 GHG emission reduction targets and implement SB 375, while creating sustainable communities.

Focus Area # 2: Regional SB 375 Plus
Eligible Applicants: MPOs
Intent: Fund MPOs to collaborate with local governments to implement SB 375 and/or AB 32 at the city or county level, within the context of the three E's of sustainable communities: healthy environment and economy and equitable access to regional resources and amenities. The outcome of these efforts should support successful Sustainable Community Strategies that help meet the regional targets established by CARB.

Focus Area # 3: Regional Planning Activities with Multiple Partners
Eligible Applicants: Cities, Counties, RTPAs, JPAs and COGs.
Intent: Support collaboration between cities and/or counties, JPAs, COGs or RTPAs to work with local governments to develop or implement regional plans that meet the intent of SB 732.

Proposals are due August 31, 2010. Workshops will be available  to provide technical assistance in preparing grant applications and vetting project proposals for eligibility and competitiveness. Please follow the link below for a complete schedule of dates and locations.

For any questions regarding the SGC Planning Grants please email
SGCSustainablecommunities@conservation.ca.gov or call (916) 322-3439

August 11-12, 2010

Hilton Pasadena

Stayed tuned for more information about this Sustainable Redevelopment Conference, co-hosted by the California Redevelopment Association.

Registration Open!

The 2010 Western Brownfields Workshop
Missoula, Montana - September 14 - 16

EPA is now accepting registrations for the 2010 Western Brownfields Workshop in Missoula, Montana, September 14-16. This collaborative interactive workshop offers EPA Brownfields grantees in Regions 8, 9, and 10 an opportunity to network with other grantees, EPA representatives, and other public, private, and nonprofit Brownfields experts. It is is open to veteran and new EPA Brownfields grantees, those parties interested in applying for EPA Brownfields grants, federal and state partners, and consultants invited by grantees.

The workshop is free, but registration is required. Download the registration form. Any questions or completed registration forms should be directed to wbwregistration@sra.com.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to award $600 million in TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants. Funds for the TIGER II program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

Eligible applicants include State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi-State or multi-jurisdictional groups applying through a single lead, eligible applicant.

Pre-applications must be submitted by July 16, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 23, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The DOT pre-application system will open no later than June 15, 2010 to allow prospective applicants to submit pre-applications. DOT will evaluate all applications and announce the projects that have been selected to receive TIGER II Discretionary Grants no sooner than September 15, 2010.

Public comment on the NOFA will be accepted until May 28, 2010. For more information, see Question 3 of the FAQ (link below).

- Fact Sheet

- Full announcement and FAQ

- Interim Notice of Fund Availability

EDA announces general policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs that will promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress.

Current Closing Date for Applications: September 30, 2010 - Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received.

For more information, visit http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09-EDAP-FFO-FINAL.pdf

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) advances economic growth by assisting communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. EDA requests proposals for the following programs: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, EDA has allocated $14.7 million to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. Proposals are being accepted and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Eligible Entities: State and local governments, nonprofit organizations

Application Due: September 30, 2010

For more info, including contact info, go to the following link:

February 3-5, 2011
Charlotte, NC

Today, more than ever, we are faced with environmental and economic challenges that will define our generation, shape our future, and test our resilience as cities, regions, states and a nation. Join leaders from across the U.S. as we tackle these challenges head-on and demonstrate smart growth solutions that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create a green economy, assure a healthy population, and expand transportation and housing options for all Americans.

The program will kick off on Thursday morning and continue through Saturday afternoon and includes a dynamic mix of plenaries, breakouts, implementation workshops, specialized trainings, and coordinated networking activities. Exciting tours of local model projects from Charlotte, NC and surrounding cities will be featured. There will be something for everybody, from veteran experts to smart-growth novices, with nearly 90 sessions and workshops. Learn from hundreds of speakers who cross disciplines to share insights, and valuable tools and strategies for making smart growth a success in your community.

Plan to join us, and others, from across the U.S. next February for the smart growth event of the year! Visit www.NewPartners.org to get more details.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the 14th National Brownfields Conference will be held on April 3-5, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!