The National League of Cities (NLC) announced that more than 1,000 cities have utilized the Local Infrastructure Hub’s free grant-writing trainings designed to help communities develop competitive grant applications for federal funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. NLC runs a program within the Local Infrastructure Hub focused on helping small and mid-sized cities, towns and villages effectively pursue federal infrastructure funding. To date, participating cities have secured more than $315 million in federal infrastructure dollars for their communities.
“The Local Infrastructure Hub’s free grant writing resources are essential to help smaller municipalities compete for federal infrastructure dollars so they can deliver for their communities,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “Through a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Local Infrastructure Hub drives results for local leaders. From the start of the federal grant writing process to shovels in the ground, NLC is committed to helping local leaders achieve their innovative and community-driven infrastructure projects.”
The Local Infrastructure Hub has designed resources to help cities craft competitive applications for specific federal grant programs; resources include training sessions, individualized coaching, and peer learning sessions. Throughout seven phases that have taken place since the program launched in 2022, resources have been tailored to help cities secure funding to improve roadway safety, install electric vehicle charging stations, repair and restore bridge infrastructure, reconnect communities and neighborhoods by modifying surface transportation structures, and develop natural hazard mitigation plans.
The Local Infrastructure Hub is now enrolling local governments for its upcoming phase, beginning in January 2025. These trainings will help smaller municipalities effectively manage and implement infrastructure projects to avoid scenarios where the funding could be clawed back.