USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for funds available to help private non-profit organizations and public bodies, including local governmental-based jurisdictional organizations, to assist rural Nebraska communities in water, wastewater, and solid waste needs. The application deadline is December 31, 2015. Two types of funding are available, technical assistance and training grants and solid waste management grants.
Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grants are available to eligible, private non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service that have the proven ability, background, experience, legal authority, and actual capacity to provide technical assistance and/or training on a wide range of issues relating to delivery of water and waste disposal service. These associations will provide services in rural areas or cities and towns with a population of 10,000 or less.
Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grants are used to:
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Identify and evaluate solutions to water problems of associations in rural areas relating to source, storage, treatment and distribution;
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Identify and evaluate solutions to waste problems of associations in rural areas relating to collection, treatment and disposal;
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Assist associations with Rural Development water and/or wastewater loan and/or grant applications;
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Provide technical assistance and/or training to association personnel that will improve the management, operation and maintenance of water and waste disposal facilities; or
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Pay expenses associated with providing technical assistance and/or training authorized in bullet points above.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Grants are available to private non-profit organizations and public bodies, including local governmental-based jurisdictional organizations. Applicants must have the proven ability, background, experience, legal authority, and actual capacity to provide technical assistance and/or training on a regional basis to associations.
The purpose of the Solid Waste Management Grant Program is to assist communities through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipients to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources in rural areas and to improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas.
Solid Waste Management Grants are used to:
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Evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to water resources.
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Provide technical assistance and/or training to enhance operator skills in the operation and maintenance of active landfills.
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Provide technical assistance and/or training to help communities reduce the solid waste stream.
- Provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills which are closed or will be closed in the near future with the development and implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling within permit requirements.
Visit: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/solid-waste-management-grants/ne for Solid Waste Management Grants and http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants/ne for Technical Assistance and Training Grants for complete information, including the FY 2016 Application Guide, for each program. Contact Mary Sneckenberg at USDA Rural Development, (402) 437-5567 for additional program information.
For more information, contact the Rural Development office nearest you. You can locate an office by visiting: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices/ne. Visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services for information on all of Rural Development’s programs.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.