Cities To Have Access To $4M in Grants

Two federal agencies will announce Tuesday a new initiative that will make available $4 million in grant funding to help local municipalities improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. 

At a news conference set for Tuesday morning at in , the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will unveil "Greening Local Infrastructure: A Local Government Assistance Program." 

According to a statement from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, funding is available in three forms.

1. Grants for green infrastructure showcase projects. A total of $2 million will be made available in $750,000 competitively-awarded grants for integrating green practices into existing programs.
2. Local government capacity building. A total of $1.25 million is available for governments seeking to overcome challenges to improving water quality.
3. Technical assistance as needed. General technical assistance will be provided via consultants and contractors at up to $40,000 per request.

The program's targets are to assist local governments in reaching goals to improve the health of local tributaries, acknowledge leaders in the movement, offer technical assistance and to facilitate more programming.

Among other projects, could dedicate grant funding toward some of the major improvements necessary to divert .

The announcement will be made at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday on the Promenade at Concord Point. Local and regional officials will attend.