The following is a list of federal programs that provide grants, loans, and technical assistance for community-based economic development projects related to planning and governmental assistance. See additional lists of other federal programs here.
Programs and their requirements are subject to change, so please check department websites for current information. The Just Transition Fund last updated this list on February 23, 2023.
Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant
Department of Agriculture
The Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with pre-development feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. Eligible areas are those which have a population of 2,500 or less and have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan household income. Eligible applicants include most state and local government entities, nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes.
Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
Department of Agriculture
The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funds may be used to finance projects relating to water sourcing, sewer systems, solid waste, and stormwater. The program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include state and local government entities, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes.
Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees
Department of Agriculture
The Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees Program helps private lenders provide affordable financing to qualified borrowers to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems for households and businesses in rural areas. Funds can be used to construct or improve facilities for drinking water, sanitary sewers, solid waste disposal, and storm water disposal facilities. Eligible applicants include federal and state-chartered banks, savings and loans, Farm Credit Banks with direct lending authority, and credit unions.
Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants
Department of Agriculture
The Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects. Eligible applicants include most state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and federally-recognized tribes.
Water & Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands
Department of Agriculture
The Water & Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands program helps get safe, reliable drinking water and waste disposal services to low-income communities that face significant health risks, are on federally-recognized lands, and that have populations of 10,000 people or fewer. Funds can be used to build basic drinking water and waste disposal systems, including systems to handle storm-water drainage. Eligible applicants include federally-recognized tribes, state and local governments, and nonprofits.
Clean Energy to Communities Program: In-Depth Partnerships
Department of Energy
The Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) Program: In-Depth Partnerships will offer subcontracting funding, technical assistance, and multi-year technical partnership support to communities aiming to develop reliable, resilient, and affordable clean energy systems. C2C program in-depth technical partnerships will focus broadly on cross-sectoral issues related to renewable energy, mobility, and buildings. One of the partnerships will be focused on a rural community. Eligible applicants include Community teams consisting of representatives from local government, community-based organizations, and electric utilities.
Distressed Cities Technical Assistance
Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Distressed Cities Technical Assistance (DCTA) program provides technical assistance to improve fiscal health and build administrative capacity for units of general local government that are economically distressed and have been recently impacted by a natural disaster. The program offers a range of assistance designed to improve financial management, build program capacity, and improve internal processes. Eligible applicants include local governments in areas meeting criteria for economic distress, natural disaster impacts, and population size.