In the Pipeline: ARPA and IIJA Water Infrastructure Funding, How to Apply

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With so many moving parts happening around water infrastructure funding through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) the top question is: how can my community access these funds to improve our water infrastructure? Below you will find the latest updates on available funding through these channels and how they are being allocated through MI Public Act 53 (Senate Bill 565). For more information about Public Act 53 (Senate Bill 565) and how funds are being allocated through the State Revolving Funds, please refer to this PowerPoint published by the MI Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

 

What’s covered by Public Act 53 of 2022 (Senate Bill 565)?

  • $4.7 Billion of infrastructure funding
  • $1.9 billion of these funds will be administered by EGLE
  • 3 Funds included
    • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
    • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)/Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA)
    • General Fund
  • Increases the available SRF pool by 15 times the annual amount

 

What will Public Act 53 do?

  • Support water infrastructure projects statewide
  • Provide grant and loan funds with the majority being grants
  • Expand SRF capacity

 

What will Public Act 53 NOT do?

  • Fund 100% of statewide water infrastructure needs
  • Violate Federal and State statute
  • Unlikely to decrease current water rates

 

What funds can communities apply for within Public Act 53?

  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
    • Communities can access water infrastructure ARPA funds via the SRF process. Communities must submit project plans in accordance with the SRF application. Communities can contact the MI Water Navigator helpdesk at www.miwaternavigator.org for technical assistance, priority will be given to disadvantaged/overburdened communities. The Intent to Apply form can be found here.
    • $1 billion in grant funding is available
      • $600 million drinking water
      • $400 million clean water

 

  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)/Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
    • Communities can access water infrastructure IIJA funds via the SRF process. Communities must submit project plans in accordance with the SRF application. Communities can contact the MI Water Navigator helpdesk at www.miwaternavigator.org for technical assistance, priority will be given to disadvantaged/overburdened communities. The Intent to Apply form can be found here.
    • $500 million in loans and loan forgiveness is available

 

How can communities apply for funds within Public Act 53?

  • Communities can apply for funds within Public Act 53 by submitting an SRF Intent to Apply Form.
  • The Intent to Apply form can be found here.
  • The Intent to Apply form will trigger one of three funding trajectories:
    • SRF Traditional
    • SRF IIJA
    • ARPA

 

When can communities apply?

  • Communities who applied for 2023 SRF cycle are eligible for IIJA and ARPA funding (funding determinations will be made by October 2022)
  • Communities who have not applied for 2023 SRF cycle can apply by November 2022 to be eligible for 2024 funding (funding determinations will be made by October 2023).

 

 

IMPORTANT SRF APPLICATION CHANGE
Please note that the Intent to Apply application deadline has been moved forward to November 2022.

 

 

Contact Information

For communities that have not applied or those wanting general information regarding funding opportunities, contact Water Infrastructure Financing Section staff at 517-284-5433 or email at EGLE-WIFS@Michigan.gov

Communities that have applied: contact your assigned EGLE project manager and engineer.