Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the opening of the next round of Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) program grants. They have made over $600 million available for both planning and construction projects that seek to restore mobility, accessibility, and community connectivity that is harmed by defined dividing infrastructure facilities. This announcement contains all of the remaining Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding for the program. Applications are due Sept 30.

The Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) has begun publishing Grant Summary Reports on open Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant programs potentially applicable to Maryland municipalities with open Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). Grant Summary Reports have been published on Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants (currently open for applications), the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (currently open for applications), and the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (now closed for applications).

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management, the Department of Information Technology, and the Maryland State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) Planning Committee have released another funding opportunity through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. The application period began Tuesday, September 3, 2024, and will end Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress established the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) to “award grants to eligible entities to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems owned or operated by, or on behalf of, state, local, or tribal governments.”

Covered projects can include (not limited to):

In line with its all-of-Maryland approach, the Maryland Department of the Environment has contracted the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center to provide no-cost, direct technical assistance to the following 12 counties and municipalities within: Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester.

This assistance will be delivered at no cost to recipients through an award from the Maryland Department of the Environment. Available services include assistance identifying climate pollution reduction projects; developing plans; building technical, financial, and managerial capacity; and completing funding application materials.