* updated since the original presentation

There are three types of entities that may apply for match funds: (1) municipalities; (2) counties; and (3) certain public utilities not regulated by the Public Service Commission. The match funds can be utilized to make necessary and cost reasonable investments in water, wastewater and stormwater projects. The funding will be provided to eligible entities in the form of reimbursement grants.

Applicants for these grant funds will have to certify to MDEQ that each expenditure of the funds awarded to them under this Act is in compliance with ARPA guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended from time to time by the United States Department of Treasury.

MDEQ will have a portal in which applicants can submit their applications online and which will allow applicants to upload documents. Senate Bill 2822 requires applicants to provide the following information, at a minimum: (a) applicant contact information; (b) a detailed project description and type of project; (c) project map (likely in the form of a shape file); (d) estimate of population affected by the project; (e) disadvantaged community criteria, to include population, median household income, unemployment rate, and current water/sewer rates; (f) estimated project cost; (g) list of match funds of direct Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received or to be received from the federal government and a certification that such funds have been or will be used for the project detailed in the application and documentation of commitment; (h) estimated project schedule and readiness to proceed; (i) engineering services agreement; (j) engineering reports; and (k) information about the status of obtaining any required permits.  

MDEQ may add requirements associated with the list of items above and these will be made available through the published Rules & Regulations. MDEQ will take this information and rank each applicant based on a number of factors prescribed by SB2822. In other words, this is a competitive grant process. Therefore, completeness and thoroughness in the application is key for applicants to establish eligibility and to be ranked relative to other applicants. MDEQ will provide a series of webinars detailing the application process and answering any questions. Moreover, this site will have a continually updated Frequently Asked Questions section.    

This page will serve as an information hub for applicants and interested parties for the life of the program. It will be periodically updated with information provided by the U.S. Treasury as well as pertinent information specific to the program as may be determined by MDEQ. Applicants should not use this site as their sole basis for knowledge regarding federal requirements associated with ARPA programs.