Funding Sources 

The grant writing and grant administration staff at Miller & Associates is dedicated to serving their clients and their client’s needs.  It is not uncommon for our staff to seek funding for a project from more than one source.  Several of the grants our staff is administering at this time have a combination of funding sources involved in completing the project.

Some of the funding sources that the firm is capable of pursuing are as follows:

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
  These grants are available through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and range from planning, community development, housing, tourism, and economic development activities.  Grant amounts can range from a maximum of $30,000 for planning to $350,000 for community development activities. 

• United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA-RD)
  Several grant and loan opportunities are available through USDA-RD.  The grants our staff is most familiar with are the Community Facilities Loans and Grants and the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants.
  • Community Facilities Loans and Grants are available to non-profit groups or public entities such as municipalities, counties, non-profit corporations, special purpose districts and Indian tribes.  They are available for community service facilities including fire and rescue buildings/equipment, streets, utilities, community buildings, libraries, senior citizen centers, day-care centers, airports, industrial parks, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc.
  • Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants are available to municipalities, special purpose districts, Indian tribes and non-profits.  They are available for water and waste disposal, solid waste and storm drainage including water and waste development costs such as construction, improvements, equipment, facilities, land rights, engineering fees, etc.

• Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Funds (NDEE)
  These funds are available to municipalities.  There are several funds available from this funding source and they include:
  • The Source Water Protection (SWP) grant is available for drinking water preliminary engineering reports. The maximum grant amount is $10,000 with 10% match required.
  • The Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds are for small town water grant projects for communities with a population from 800 to 5,000.  This $100,000 matching grant is available for water system improvement projects.  Low interest loan funds are also available for drinking water construction projects for eligible Public Water Suppliers.
  • The Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funds are for small town wastewater grant projects for communities with a population from 800 to 5,000.  This $250,000 matching grant funding for wastewater improvements for small communities is available along with an emergency grant feature for natural disasters.
  • Facility Planning Grants of $15,000 each are available with a 10% match required.
  • Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants provide partial reimbursement for the purchase of crumb rubber and tire-derived products, such as playground surfaces, running tracks and artificial turf surfaces for soccer and football fields, and rubber-enhanced asphalt.

• Nebraska Game & Parks Funds (NE - G&P)
  There are several grant programs through this entity.
  • Land and Water Conservation Fund - These grants are available to municipalities for ball parks, swimming pools, playground equipment, trails, splash pads, picnic shelters, etc.  These applications are due October 1st of every year and require a 50% match.
  • Recreational Trails Program - These grants are available specifically for trail surfacing and trail related support facilities.  These grants will fund 80% of the project with the applicant matching the other 20%.

• Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR)
  • This entity has a grant for Transportation Enhancement Funds that allow local, regional and state governmental entities to construct and restore transportation facilities that are not eligible for funding through other programs.  Maximum grant awards are $500,000 per project.  Applicants will be required to provide a minimum of 20% non-federal cash match of the total eligible project costs.  Deadlines for submitting intent-to-apply and final application forms will vary with each fiscal year.  Specific dates for application deadlines are not established until February of each annual funding cycle.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Assistance to Firefighters Grants
  These grants are available to fire departments for fire and rescue equipment, firefighter equipment, and firefighter training.  Grant amounts vary depending on the budget passed by United States Congress.