Our municipal consulting clients often ask us, “Does this project qualify for funding?” We spoke with Vice President of Municipal Engineering Kurt Corrigan and Grant Coordinator Nicole Petrone to learn how V3 helps assess grant eligibility and supports municipalities seeking project funding.
Understanding funding parameters
With so many funding opportunities available for municipal projects, it’s clear why most conversations start with grant eligibility. Government funding applications can put a serious strain on internal resources, with dozens of hours spent on research and applications.
At V3, our goal is to guide clients through the process with a clear understanding of what’s involved, covering all considerations before moving forward.
This includes a deep dive into the grant’s:
- Timing: Certain grants have a considerable lead time that would negatively impact the intended project schedule, with some sources taking 3-5 years to come through. We discuss the timing of each funding option to determine whether the money is worth waiting for or if there is a better fit elsewhere.
- Eligibility: Submission guidelines are not always clear. Industry jargon may mislead those less familiar with the process into thinking a project meets eligibility criteria, yet the fine print suggests otherwise. On the other hand, some projects may qualify for opportunities that are less obvious, giving them an advantage. Our grant and funding experts know how to read between the lines and give an honest assessment on whether an opportunity is worth pursuing.
- Minimums: It’s important to assess how this funding fits into the project’s overall financial situation. If this funding is secured, does the municipality have the fiscal means to get the job done? Failure to have enough resources can mean money sitting locked in accounts, or worse, rescinded. Losing funding due to inaccurate budgeting or inability to spend within the allocated time frame results in major delays and frustration.
This education helps our clients solidify priorities and set actionable plans.
“We are very direct with our clients so they can make the most informed decisions. Being honest about what’s possible minimizes delays and leads to better results.”
Kurt Corrigan, Vice President of Municipal Engineering
Finding alternative solutions
Our municipal consulting experts do extensive research to understand what funding resources are available for our clients. Our primary goal is to move your project forward. Even if one funding source doesn’t work, we can help support the municipality’s goals and priorities through alternate means.
We can help you find alternative:
- Funding sources: Being ineligible for one funding source doesn’t mean financial support is off the table. Federal, state, and regional grants are all worth exploring, ranging from economic development to community block grants. Projects can have multiple investment sources, so our goal is to uncover those opportunities and help municipalities maximize budgetary success.
- Funding timelines: Many grants like to reward projects that are already in motion, as moving past the earliest phases of research and design shows real stakeholder commitment. Depending on project timelines, it can make sense to delay funding pursuit until wheels are officially in motion as proof that the project can and is moving forward.
“My focus as a Grant Coordinator is to bring our clients’ most meaningful and important projects to life by assisting them with finding and securing access to resources that they might not otherwise be able to afford. It’s all about contributing to positive change and witnessing the impact these projects can have on our communities, society, and the world.”
Nicole Petrone, Grant Coordinator
Find municipality project funding support with V3
If you are seeking public works grants in the Midwest, our municipal consulting team can help. Connect with us to learn more.