Rural Infrastructure Planning Grants

Local governments can use rural infrastructure planning grants to fund road design.

Although rural communities are small in population, they still require funds to plan future projects such as roads, transit lines, schools and government buildings. Planning grants are distinguished from typical grants (often known as implementation grants) in that planning grants are used to fund the design or planning process of projects, rather than the construction process. Several rural infrastructure planning grants exist.

Ministry of Community and Rural Development

The British Columbia, Canada Ministry of Community and Rural Development' (MCRD) Infrastructure Planning Grant Program provides funding to rural British Columbia towns, hamlets and townships for infrastructure development projects. The program provides as much as CND$10,000 for water, sewer, road and capital asset planning projects. As of August 2010, municipality officials can download the application guide and form from the MCRD's website.

Ministry of Community and Rural Development

P.O. Box 9838 Stn. Prov. Govt.

Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 9T1

250-387-4060

cd.gov.bc.ca

California Transit Planning Grant Program

The California Transit Planning Grant Program provides funding to rural communities for transportation and transit projects, such as roads, light rail and buses. Grant funding is available to small communities throughout the state of California. The amount of the grant varies based on available funding as well as project cost and community financial need.

Department of Transportation

Division of Transportation Planning, MS #32

P.O. Box 942874

Sacramento, CA 94274-0001

916-653-1447

dot.ca.gov

North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center

The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center is a private nonprofit organization that provides aid to rural communities in the state. The organization has a planning grants program that provides funding for rural sewer and water infrastructure project plans. As of August 2010, the program provided up to $40,000 of grant funding to rural governments.

North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center

4021 Carya Dr.

Raleigh, NC 27610

919-250-4314

ncruralcenter.org

References

• California Department of Transportation: Transportation Planning Grant Program
• Ministry of Community and Rural Development: Infrastructure Planning Grant Program
• University of North Carolina School of Government: Improving Rural Infrastructure
• Ministry of Community and Rural Development: Department Staff Contacts
• North Carolina Rural Development Center: Contact Us