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PROTECT Grant Funding Applications Now Open

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the next round of Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) discretionary grant funding. The PROTECT Discretionary program provides funding to strengthen surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, heat waves, flooding, extreme weather, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure. There are four general categories of grant awards from the PROTECT program. There is a $100,000 minimum for planning grants. There is a $500,000 minimum for construction grants. Last round, planning awards ranged from $142,000 - $5.3 million and $750,000 - $60 million for construction. At least 25% of the funding must be used for projects in rural areas, at least 2% of the funding must go to Tribal area projects, and no more than 25% of total funding may be used for Intercity Rail projects. 

Eligible Facilities: Planning and resiliency grants may be awarded to support the following facilities:

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ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF): December 31 Obligation Deadline

The obligation deadline for municipalities receiving SLFRF funding is December 31, 2024.  Funds not obligated by the deadline will not be available to benefit your community and will need to be returned to the U.S. Treasury.

If your town is struggling to expend SLFRF funds or with the compliance process, we encourage you to contact the Department of Budget and Management’s Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP). Given the impending December 31 deadline, MTAP has moved its Office Hours to every Tuesday, now through December 17, to increase the number of opportunities to discuss the obligation deadline. Please see below for the Office Hours meeting link and call in number. You can use the same meeting link each Tuesday.

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Green and Healthy Homes Initiative Launches Application Period for $40 Million in Environmental Justice Project Funding

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region has announced the availability of $40 million in subgrants for communities through the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program.

Announced by EPA in December 2023, this program includes 11 Grantmakers, such as the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI), designated to operate in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Region 3), which includes Maryland. This initiative was established under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program, collaborating with the Technical Assistance Centers for Environmental Justice Thriving Communities (TCTAC), which is part of the federal government's Investing in America Agenda. Applicants in the Mid-Atlantic territory can now seek subgrants ranging from $150,000 to $350,000 for various environmental projects with one- or two-year terms.

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ARPA and Federal Funds Needs Survey

The Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) is seeking your feedback to better understand your municipality’s needs and current progress through the ARPA SLFRF and Federal Funds surveyThis 5–10-minute survey will gather data on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) obligation progress ahead of the December 31, 2024, obligation deadline and municipal interest in federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) at the local government level.

 

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Civic Engagement - Grants

The Maryland 250 Commission is offering $500 mini-grants to municipalities on a rolling basis. This is a great opportunity to help host meetings and events in your communities associated with civic engagement - which many of you all are already doing.

"The MD Two Fifty Commission is offering $500 grants to fund the launch of short-term (generally not more than 3-months) free educational programs offered by counties and municipalities for residents to learn how their local government works, get to know their local elected and staff officials, and learn about opportunities for citizen engagement."

These grants are accepted on a rolling deadline and will be reviewed starting this week. No applications have been received from Prince George's County, so please consider applying.

More information here: Grants & Applications | MD Two Fifty (maryland.gov).


 








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Time is Running Out

Only seven days are left to join a record number 84 municipalities and their officials at this year's Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference. The Fall Conference is known to draw our most engaged members and this year's line up will a deliver dynamic 40+ sessions and workshops revolved around relevant issues to help Maryland's municipalities serve their more than two million residents.

Details

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MML Lunch & Learn: Nature-Based Child Care License Pilot Program

Join the Maryland Department of Education and the Maryland Municipal League for a Lunch & Learn webinar on October 17, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM via Zoom. Discover the benefits of the Outdoor, Nature-Based Child Care License Pilot Program, which enhances children’s health, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into key policy decisions and early childhood initiatives—register now! 

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Rural Maryland Council 24th Annual Impact Awards - Nominations Now Open

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Maryland Stormwater Regulations

 

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has proposed revisions to Chapter 2 of the Stormwater Design Manual (Design Manual), the stormwater management regulations. Changes to Chapters 1, 3, 5, and the appendices will also need to be made. The proposed changes as a whole are designed to simplify the stormwater management design process, remove outdated and conflicting material that is currently in the Design Manual, and combine into one the two chapters (Chapters 3 and 5) that describe stormwater management practices. More information on this process can be found here.

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New Funding Opportunities from EPA

On September 16, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced three new funding opportunities, totaling approximately $117 million, to improve recycling infrastructure and consumer education and outreach on wasted food prevention and composting. Two are Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants for communities and for Tribes and intertribal consortia - focused on improving solid waste management infrastructure. The third is for the Recycling Outreach and Education (REO) grant program and is focused on wasted food prevention and composting.

Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Funding Opportunities

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Lunch & Learn October 10 - City Manager Check-In

We are offering an opportunity to Maryland's city and town managers to join the MML Executive Committee and senior management team for a Lunch and Learn, on October 10 at noon, to hear about an engagement initiative with the League to represent Municipal managers across the state and network with over 115+ manager colleagues. 

The Maryland Municipal League City and Town Administrators Department was created in 1978 as an affiliate of the League, designed to focus on specific municipal matters that may impact a city manager’s duties and responsibilities; and serves to help municipal managers stay tapped into League-wide resources that may benefit their municipality.

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Collect Your Academy Elective Credits at this Year's MML Fall Conference

This year's jam-packed Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference includes five (5) workshops designated as Academy for Excellence in Local Governance elective classes.  To see which classes qualify for elective credit, visit the updated preliminary conference schedule on the Maryland Municipal League website.

Academy Electives include:

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2024 Maryland Clean Energy Summit

The 2024 Maryland Clean Energy Summit will take place on October 7 - 8 at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. 

  • Experts have been assembled
  • Breakout sessions are scheduled
  • Funding and financing resources have been identified
  • Procurement and project design assistance is accessible

Community leaders concerned about rising energy costs and reducing carbon emissions won’t want to miss this conference. Hear from presenters and meet with vendors who will help identify the right solutions for your community from idea to implementation.

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Roam Our Hall

Explore and search through MML's Hall of Fame Inductees, now featured on the MML website! Browse through a rich history spanning from 1997 to 2024, celebrating the remarkable contributions of municipal officials

We honor and celebrate over 150 elected officials who honored their community through municipal service. Thank you!

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Calling for Public Art Submissions -- Excellence in Leadership MML Fall Conference

Do you have a wall mural or street art from your city or town that you want to display? A sculpture in your city or town that you think deserves more recognition? Consider submitting a photo of your city or town's public art to be showcased at the Excellence in Leadership MML Fall Conference! 

Submission Guidelines:

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EPA Issues Two New Enforcement Alerts Following Investigations Finding Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Operators are Failing to Properly Conduct Compliant Monitoring and Maintenance of Gas Collection and Control System

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found recurring Clean Air Act compliance issues at Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills leading to the significant release of methane, a climate super-pollutant, and other air pollutants. More than 100 EPA inspections over the past three years reveal that many MSW landfill operators are not complying with applicable regulatory requirements, including gas collection and control systems (GCCS) requirements, surface emissions monitoring (SEM) procedures, and maintaining cover surface integrity. 

As a result, EPA is issuing two enforcement alerts on MSW landfills at the same time:

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Sustainable Maryland Action Grants

Sustainable Maryland is excited to announce the inaugural year of funding for the Sustainable Maryland Action Grants for incorporated municipalities, furthering a commitment to enhance livability for all Marylanders by supporting a wide range of community-scale sustainability efforts. Funding for this grant program was made possible by the State of Maryland when it created the Sustainable Maryland Program fund in 2022. This fund sets aside a portion of the state’s annual budget specifically to support Maryland’s municipal sustainability efforts through the Sustainable Maryland program. By offering $100,000 to municipalities that are registered and certified with Sustainable Maryland, these grants seek to bridge the gap between local budget and resource capacity and state funding.

For more information, visit the Sustainable Maryland SM Action Grants webpage.

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NLC City Summit and 100th Anniversary Celebration

Plan to join the National League of Cities (NLC) in Tampa Bay for City Summit and NLC’s 100th anniversary celebration November 13-16, 2024. Be part of the most dynamic conference for municipal staff and officials. Connect with local leaders from across the country, policy experts, and industry professionals to gain knowledge and expand your network.

Packed with the latest trends and valuable connections, the Centennial City Summit is an epic celebration of strengthening cities, towns, and villages from 1924 to 2024. 

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Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference Preliminary Schedule is Available

Preliminary Schedule Announced!

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MML Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference, November 6-8

We're excited that the City of Cambridge will play host to the 2024 Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference, convening November 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake. The golf resort and conference center offers scenic river views and spacious meeting rooms to accommodate this year’s more than 40 conference sessions. 

The Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference is known to draw our most engaged members and this year's line up will deliver dynamic general sessions and workshops revolved around relevant issues to help Maryland's municipalities serve its more than two million residents.

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