The State of Maryland's Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) continues to assist Maryland municipalities in understanding the eligibility, compliance, and reporting requirements of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFRF) program.

As municipalities work to take advantage of funding opportunities, success depends on more than simply identifying potential grants; it requires clear project development, strong internal readiness, and the ability to translate planning into execution. MTAP’s offerings bring these elements together through its newly expanded Fund Mapping service, an internal capacity self-assessment resource, and a real-world example of successful project delivery. 
 
Building on this foundation, MTAP is now expanding this service to include two new components: Project Scoping and Federal Agency Application Reference Guides. Project Scoping helps to sharpen municipal project ideas while Federal Agency Application Reference Guides spell out key forms, documentation, and more to help municipalities prepare applications. Together, these newly expanded services will provide more targeted, hands-on assistance to help communities refine project ideas and navigate application requirements with greater confidence.  
 
To request a Fund Map, please complete the MTAP Fund Mapping Intake Form. To discuss Project Scoping or Federal Agency Application Reference Guides, or to explore which services best fit your needs, please contact MTAP directly at [email protected]. 
 
MTAP has also released an Internal Capacity for Federal Grant Funding Self-Assessment, which can serve as a companion to fund mapping or as a standalone resource for municipalities to evaluate their organizational readiness. By identifying strengths and gaps across key areas of grant management and compliance, the tool helps communities assess themselves as effective potential stewards of federal funding and identify areas for improvement. 
 
Finally, MTAP highlights success stories such as the City of Westminster’s PUREWater initiative to demonstrate what is possible when strong project development, internal capacity, and strategic funding alignment come together. As a first-of-its-kind project in Maryland, PUREWater Westminster offers a tangible example of how municipalities can successfully advance complex infrastructure projects when these elements are in place. Collectively, these resources and examples provide municipalities with a clearer pathway from identifying opportunities to achieving successful outcomes.