GRANT WATCH WEDNESDAY

Funding Opportunities for Parks, Drinking Water, Economic Development, and Community Revitalization

As municipalities continue planning FY2027 capital improvements and community initiatives, several state and federal funding opportunities are available to help advance projects related to parks, conservation, water infrastructure, economic development, and environmental revitalization.

This week’s Grant Watch Wednesday highlights funding opportunities that support long-term community investment while helping municipalities leverage outside resources for projects that improve quality of life, strengthen local economies, and preserve public assets.

Connecticut Opportunities

Connecticut Brownfield Municipal Grant Program 

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development continues to support municipalities through its Brownfield Municipal Grant Program. 

Funding helps communities redevelop contaminated and underutilized properties that have the potential to generate new housing, commercial development, employment opportunities, and tax revenue.

Funding may support: 

• Environmental assessment 
• Site remediation 
• Brownfield redevelopment 
• Downtown revitalization 
• Economic development projects 

Only municipalities and municipal entities are eligible to apply. 

Future funding rounds are anticipated, and municipalities should begin preparing redevelopment projects now.

Federal Opportunities

EPA Brownfields Program – Prepare Now for FY2027 Funding 

Although the next EPA Brownfields Notice of Funding Opportunity has not yet been released, municipalities should begin preparing now for the FY2027 competition. 

EPA Brownfields grants continue to be one of the most valuable funding sources for communities seeking to redevelop vacant or contaminated properties. 

Funding categories typically include: 

• Assessment Grants 
• Cleanup Grants 
• Multipurpose Grants 
• Revolving Loan Funds 
• Coalition Grants 

Brownfields projects can support housing production, downtown redevelopment, waterfront revitalization, commercial redevelopment, and environmental cleanup. EPA has indicated that information for the FY2027 competitions will be released this summer, making now an ideal time to begin assembling projects and partnerships. 

Florida Opportunities

Florida Forever Parks and Open Space Program 

Florida communities seeking to expand recreational opportunities and preserve natural resources should monitor upcoming Florida Forever funding opportunities. 

The program supports: 

• Park acquisition 
• Greenways 
• Public open space 
• Outdoor recreation 
• Conservation projects 

Communities with adopted parks or comprehensive plans are encouraged to begin identifying acquisition and recreation priorities in advance of future funding announcements.

Maine Opportunities

Maine Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development Program

The Maine Office of Community Development will soon begin accepting Letters of Intent for the Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program. 

The program provides gap financing for projects that create or retain jobs for low- and moderate-income residents. 

Eligible activities include: 

• Working capital 
• Capital equipment 
• Business expansion 
• Job creation initiatives 

Maximum Award:
Up to $100,000 

Letters of Intent Begin:
July 3, 2026 

Municipalities apply on behalf of eligible local businesses.

Massachusetts Opportunities

Massachusetts Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program

Massachusetts Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program. Massachusetts municipalities have an opportunity to protect valuable natural resources through the Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program.

The program provides reimbursement funding to acquire conservation land and conservation restrictions that preserve open space, protect wildlife habitat, and expand passive recreational opportunities.

Eligible projects include:

• Conservation land acquisition
• Agricultural preservation
• Passive recreation areas
• Natural resource protection
• Conservation restrictions

Maximum Award: Up to $425,000

Application Deadline: July 9, 2026

Communities with updated Open Space and Recreation Plans are encouraged to apply.

New Mexico Opportunities

New Mexico Overflow Sewer Grant Program 

The New Mexico Environment Department administers the Overflow Sewer Grant Program to help municipalities address aging wastewater infrastructure. 

Funding may support: 

• Sewer system improvements 
• Overflow mitigation 
• Wastewater infrastructure upgrades 
• Public health protection projects 

In many cases, eligible projects may receive significant grant assistance through the program. 

Municipalities planning sewer infrastructure improvements should begin preparing project documentation for the next funding cycle.

Vermont Opportunities

Vermont Municipal Planning Grant Program

The Vermont Municipal Planning Grant Program helps communities strengthen local planning efforts that support housing, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure improvements. 

Funding may support: 

• Municipal plan updates 
• Housing planning 
• Zoning modernization 
• Capital improvement planning 
• Flood resilience planning 
• Village and downtown revitalization 

The FY2027 funding announcement is expected this summer, making now an ideal time for municipalities to begin preparing projects.

Looking Ahead 

Successful grant applications rarely begin when a funding announcement is released. Communities that consistently secure grant funding invest time in identifying priorities, preparing engineering and planning documents, building partnerships, and developing competitive project narratives well in advance of application deadlines. 

If your municipality is considering a capital project but isn’t sure what funding opportunities may be available, now is an excellent time to begin developing a funding strategy for upcoming state and federal grant cycles.

We hope that CSS can assist with your grant writing, research, and compliance needs!