Inside 208

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) annual National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) grant program provides opportunities for Michigan communities and organizations to invest in sustainable, nature-based resilience solutions. Over the next four years, the NCRF anticipates making over $140 million in funding available annually to support planning, design, and...

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her fifth executive budget recommendation The budget recommendation totals $79 billion, and it includes a general fund total of $14.8 billion and a School Aid Fund total of $19 billion. It provides a significant amount of one-time funding while maintaining a structural balance in...

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has scheduled a public hearing on Thurs., Sept. 8, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., to hear public comments on new, draft definitions and scoring criteria proposals prior to finalization. Recently enacted Public Act 132 of 2022 changes the term “disadvantaged” community to...

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for Community Forestry grants. Eligible organizations including local and tribal governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits can apply for grants of $1,000-$25,000 with a 1-1 match for projects that increase urban forest cover or improve community forest care and management. Projects...

The Michigan Municipal League Foundation is launching a new program for MML member and non-member communities next week and everyone is invited. Our new MI Water Navigator Helpdesk gets launched next week with a virtual news conference at 10 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2022. And then, during our CapCon Tuesday...

The Michigan Small Community Education Grant Program is open now through October 2022. The effort is funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) along with The Recycling Partnership, the nonprofit action agent transforming the U.S. residential recycling system for good. Eligible communities and organizations include...

The Whitmer Administration unveiled its proposed Executive Budget Recommendation on Wednesday for the upcoming 2022-23 Fiscal Year that starts October 1st. The budget recommendation totals $74.1 billion, including a historic $14.3 billion in General Fund dollars, compared to the current year’s $11.7 billion…the highest GF budget proposal in recent history. ...

The White House and US Department of Transportation shared the following information yesterday on the recently signed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The new law combined a reauthorization of federal transportation funding with significant other infrastructure investments in water, broadband, electric vehicles and charging, cybersecurity, and the nation's energy grid.  This $1.2...

National League of Cities and Serve MI City is reminding members of FEMA’s BRIC Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) program designed to help smaller communities and those with less staff capacity with free advice and support. Applications to apply for assistance are due January 28, 2022 at 3:00 PM EST. FEMA’s BRIC DTA...

The Michigan House and Senate wrapped up their work last week for the calendar year as the mid-point of the current 2021-22 legislative session.  Following the holidays, the legislature will return to session on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 to resume action.  All legislation introduced during 2021 remains eligible for action...