fundsforNGOs - United States

Grants and Resources for Sustainability

You are here: Home / Type of Eligible Entity / Businesses / Kentucky: Infrastructure Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grants

Kentucky: Infrastructure Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grants

Infrastructure Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grants provides funding for infrastructure projects that improve water quality, such as stream restoration, constructed wetlands, bioretention, rain gardens, rainwater harvesting and pervious pavement installation.

Donor Name: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

State: Kentucky

County: Fayette County (KY)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 07/26/2024

Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000

Grant Duration: 2 Years

Details:

The Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program has been established to assist property owners, businesses, and organizations in the implementation of projects that serve to improve water quality through innovation and education throughout Fayette County. The Incentive Grant Program is funded by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Water Quality Management Fee (WQMF) and is administered by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ).

The main goal of the Incentive Grant Program is the improvement of surface water quality in
Fayette County. To accomplish this goal, the program provides financial assistance for projects
that meet the following objectives:

  • Improve water quality in our impaired streams through pollutant reduction or other means;
  • Address stormwater concerns on existing, developing, or redeveloping parcels;
  • Reduce stormwater runoff and flooding; or
  • Provide public or private education related to these items.

Funding Information

The maximum Class B Infrastructure Grant for FY 2025 is $360,000. The Applicant shall be required to contribute at least 20% of the total project’s cost (i.e., $90,000 for maximum grant) either in cash expenditure or in-kind cost share.

Three types of Class B Infrastructure Incentive Grants are available:

  • Feasibility Grant: To assist with long-range planning projects (i.e., no immediate plans for design or construction). The maximum grant award is $55,000. The Applicant must contribute at least 20% of total project costs (e.g., $13,750 cost share on a $55,000 grant for a total project cost of $68,750) either in cash expenditure or in-kind services. (Note: Approval of a Feasibility Only Grant does not guarantee subsequent selection of any future grant application related to the project.)
  • Projects $75,000 or Less: This type of grant focuses on design and/or construction of smaller projects. The maximum grant award is $75,000. The Applicant must contribute at least 20% of total project costs (e.g., $18,750.00 cost share on a $75,000 grant for a total project cost of $93,750,000) either in cash expenditure or in-kind services.
  • Regular Grant (Design and/or Construction): To assist with the design and/or construction of projects. The maximum grant award is $360,000. The Applicant must contribute at least 20% of total project costs (e.g., $90,000 cost share on a $360,000 grant for a total project cost of $450,000) either in cash expenditure or in-kind services.

Project Period

Typical project timelines for infrastructure projects are 12 to 24 months.

Eligibility Requirements

  • The types of projects for Class B grants
    • There are two general types of projects eligible for this program:
      • Education Projects – Projects designed to provide and promote public or private education and involvement related to the importance of stormwater quality in Fayette County
      • Infrastructure Projects – Projects that install equipment or construct infrastructure that serve to reduce pollutant discharges to LFUCG’s stormwater conveyance system and the Waters of the Commonwealth, and/or reduce peak offsite stormwater discharge rates and/or runoff volumes in excess of minimum requirements specified in LFUCG’s Engineering Manuals.
  • Who can apply for funding?
    • Owners of a “Class B” parcel who pay the WQMF;
    • Tenants of a “Class B” parcel who pay the WQMF;
    • Groups legally incorporated organized as a corporation, governmental entity (excluding LFUCG, but not excluding outside agencies which receive LFUCG funding), association, non-profit, etc. and which are designated “Class B” fee payers of the Water Quality Management Fee.
  • Other eligibility requirements to be aware of:
    • The proposed project must be located in Fayette County on property designated as a “Class B” parcel
    • If a project involves installation of permanent infrastructure or equipment on a Class B parcel not owned by the Applicant, then the property owner must also sign the Application Form
    • The Applicant must be in full compliance with all applicable provisions of LFUCG’s Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 – Buildings and Building Regulations, Chapter 7 – Finance and Taxation, Chapter 12 – Housing, and Chapter 16 – Sewage, Garbage, Refuse, and Weeds or in compliance with Kentucky Department of Housing Buildings and Construction rules and requirements as is appropriate for those state institutions, parcels or buildings which are subject to state regulations and oversight as opposed to local ordinances and regulations prior to qualifying for grant award. Significant non-compliance prior to or after grant award may negatively impact the applicant’s present or future eligibility
    • The Applicant must be current and not in arrears on all services billed via LEXserv throughout the grant application, selection and awards, and project implementation processes. The Applicant must receive a LEXserv bill in the applicant’s name which includes the Water Quality Management Fee billed as a Class B ratepayer
    • For Class B Infrastructure Grants, the Project Team must include a design consulting firm, and must include either a Registered Landscape Architect and/or Professional Engineer licensed to perform such work in accordance with the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS). Failure to include a design firm which meets these qualifications on the Project Team will render the application ineligible for consideration
    • The maximum allowable grant request for this year’s infrastructure program is $360,000. Incentive Grants are not-to-exceed amounts. Amendment requests to an ongoing Incentive Grant shall not be considered by the Water Quality Fees Board absent extraordinary circumstances.

Eligibility Criteria

Businesses, schools, churches and non-profits located in Fayette County that pay the Water Quality Management Fee are eligible to apply for these grants.

For more information, visit LFUCG.

Subscribe