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Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

closed
April 24, 2024 – June 28, 2024


state first par here

FY 2024 Funding Opportunity Announcement

What does this program do?

This program helps qualified nonprofits and tribes create a revolving loan fund to increase access to clean, reliable water and septic systems for households in eligible rural areas.

Who may apply for these grants?

Nonprofits that have:

  • Expertise and experience promoting the safe, productive use of individually-owned household water wells systems
  • Legal authority to act as a lender
  • Sufficient expertise and experience in lending activities
  • Financial, technical and managerial capacity to comply with relevant federal and state laws and regulations

How may grant funds be used?

Grant funds may be used to help a nonprofit create a revolving loan fund for eligible individuals who own and occupy a home in an eligible rural area. The fund may be used to construct, refurbish, or service individually-owned household water well and septic systems. Terms for the loans include one percent fixed interest rate, 20-year maximum term, and an $15,000 maximum loan per household.

What is an eligible area?

Are matching funds required for the grant?

Yes. The nonprofit must contribute at least 10 percent.

  • Matching funds may be from the non-profit applicant or a third party.
  • Matching funds may not be in-kind.

Note: Homeowners seeking a loan should contact RD for details on nonprofits participating in this program.

Are there any Environmental requirements associated with this grant?

RUS will notify a successful applicant by an award letter accompanied by a grant agreement and multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement.  The grant agreement will contain the terms and conditions for the grant; the multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement will detail the Recipient’s responsibilities in meeting the Agency’s Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR part 1970, in particular §1970.55 which applies to multi-tier actions or relending actions.  The multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement acknowledges that further “tiered” environmental review may be required and coordinated by the Recipient prior to approving Subrecipient applications for re-lending purposes.  The applicant must execute and return the agreements, accompanied by any additional items required by the award letter or grant agreement.

How do we get started?

  • Electronic applications are accepted through Grants.gov.

Who can answer questions?

What governs this program?

  • Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR 1776
  • Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

This program helps communities improve access to safe, reliable drinking water for households and improve the sanitary conditions caused by inadequate septic systems in rural areas.

 

NOTE: Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information for this program and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application. Please also refer to the application materials listed below.

FY 2024 Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program Application Guide | PDF

National Architect Requirements:

There are no other architect, engineering or environmental requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above. 

There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.

Connecticut

Norwich Area Office
Serving Windham and New London Counties
238 West Town Street
Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: (860)887-3604 Ext. 4
Fax: 855-947-9638

Area Director: Tricia Anderson
Tricia.Anderson@usda.gov
(P) (508) 295-5151 ext. 7241
 

Windsor Area Office
Serving Tolland, Middlesex, Hartford, Litchfield, New Haven, and Fairfield Counties
100 Northfield Drive, Floor 4
Windsor, CT 06095
Phone: (860)902-5382
Fax: 855-947-9638

Area Director: Tricia Anderson
Tricia.Anderson@usda.gov
(P) (508) 295-5151 ext. 7241


Massachusetts

Hadley Area Office
Serving Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties
195 Russel Street, B7
Hadley, MA 01035
Phone: (413) 585-1000 Ext. 4
Fax: 855-596-7672

Area Director: Lyndon Nichols
Lyndon.nichols@usda.gov
(P) 413-585-3244
(C) 857-321-2704

Holden Area Office
Serving Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties
52 Boyden Road
Holden, MA 01520
Phone: (508) 829-4477 Ext. 4
Fax: 855-596-7672

Area Director: Lyndon Nichols
Lyndon.nichols@usda.gov
(P)508-829-4477 ext 7031
(C) 857-321-2704

Wareham Area Office
Serving Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth, Dukes, Nantucket, and Barnstable counties
8 Thatcher Lane
Wareham, MA 02571
Phone: (508) 295-5151 Ext. 4
Fax: 855-596-7672

Area Director: Anne Correia
Anne.Correia@usda.gov
(P) 508-295-5151 ext. 7242
(C) 857-321-2697


Rhode Island

Warwick Office
Serving Rhode Island
60 Quaker Lane, Suite 44
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 826-0842
Fax: 855-944-7488

Area Director: Anne Correia
Anne.Correia@usda.gov
(P) 508-295-5151 ext. 7242 
(C) 857-321-2697