The Montgomery County Commissioners announced an exciting new grant program for municipalities as part of the implementation of the county’s comprehensive plan, Montco 2040: A Shared Vision.
Donor Name: Montgomery County
State: Pennsylvania
County: Montgomery County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $200,000
Grant Duration: 24 months
Details:
The Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program is intended to assist municipalities in making targeted physical improvements that achieve real progress toward the goals of the plan. The program focuses on supporting local projects that specifically further the goals of the county comprehensive plan and the plan’s themes of Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy.
Project Categories
Eligible projects need to address a stated goal in the county comprehensive plan. This provides a wide range of potential projects, but they must result in physical improvements or acquisitions that further both local and county goals. The greater the reach and impact of a project will result in a higher likelihood of funding. Opposite is a generalized list of potential projects as they connect to the comprehensive plans themes and goals. They represent the most obvious connections between goals and improvements, but the list should not be considered finite. Creative and effective projects that still address the goals are welcome for consideration.
Connected Communities
- Sidewalks / pedestrian connections
- Bicycle improvements and/or facilities
- Local trail connections to county trails or natural areas (or connect to high profile areas, such as employment, shopping, downtown, transit centers, etc.)
- Local greenway preservation
- Specific downtown revitalization initiatives
- Arts and culture facility improvements
- Library improvements
Sustainable Places
- Improving existing roadway connections
- Road diets
- Traffic calming
- Green streets
- Energy conservation or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- Stormwater management improvements
- Limiting the impact of flooding
- Natural resource protection
- Make communities more walkable
- Increase the supply of local, fresh food
- Local park improvements
- Preservation of historic properties
- Reinvigorate tree canopy in communities
- Sustainable green parking lot retrofits
Vibrant Economy
- Improve access to employment centers
- Expand or improve transit options in employment centers
- Assist in the redevelopment of underutilized or vacant industrial land
- Modernizing older office and business parks through access, amenity, or infrastructure improvements
- Assist in the creation of walkable, mixed use, transit-friendly, and entertainment supportive employment centers, towns, and destinations
- Meet the needs of an aging population through improvements or connections
- Signage and wayfinding systems to promote destinations and help visitors get around
Project Requirements
- Projects must specifically address a stated goal within the three themes of the comprehensive plan: Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy.
- Projects that fall under a Focus Category will receive greater consideration during the application review.
- Grant award may only be applied to physical improvements, i.e. construction, infrastructure/site work, materials, land acquisition.
- Grants will be disbursed as reimbursements for eligible costs.
- Project length is limited to 24 months from the date a grant is awarded.
Funding Information
- Maximum grant award is $200,000, but average award may be closer to $100,000.
- Minimum local match is 20% of the grant amount—other funding sources and greater matches are encouraged. Open Space Preservation projects require a 50% minimum local match.
Eligible Applicants
- Applications must be submitted and administered by municipalities, but they may join with non-profit or private entities to achieve a public benefit.
- Municipalities may submit two applications, but are eligible to receive only one grant award unless part of a multi-municipal project.
Review Criteria
- Impact of Project—Extent of the project’s benefit, transformative ability, longevity, visibility, educational component, and social equity.
- County & Local Planning Consistency—Credit for municipalities with current county planning assistance contracts, projects that connect to county-owned assets, and follow local and/or county policies or plans.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—Projects that address disparities in access to services or programs based on race, age, gender, and/or several other factors.
- Project Readiness—Design or engineering work completed, permits obtained, other agency coordination.
- Funding—Percent and type of matching funds, commitment of local contribution, other funding sources.
For more information, visit Montgomery County.
