The League of Wisconsin Municipalities E-Newsletter | January 2022
HIGHLIGHTS
Important! The League & LWMMI interim address!

Please use this interim address until further notice:

League of Wisconsin Municipalities
PO Box 6358
Monona, WI 53716

The building that housed the League's offices was closed due to concerns with the underground parking structure. We are in the process of seeking new office space.
Register Now:
Using the League’s New Zoning Guide for Affordable Housing
CNU is providing training for municipal elected officials, staff, and private planning consultants interested in using the Wisconsin-specific Zoning Guide. The training is free but attendance is limited and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

The overall goal of the Guide and the training is to show that bite-sized zoning code changes are possible and can have an immediate impact on removing obstacles to the development of workforce and missing middle housing. 

(The Guide will be available for download in mid-February, prior to the workshops. Background is available on the League's website here.) 

The training will cover how to use the documents in the Guide, navigating the steps to amending a code, and determining where to start. Both the morning and afternoon sessions will focus on the methodology of incremental code reform and the process and implementation described within the Guide.

The morning session will be geared for elected municipal officials, city and village administrators/managers, builders, and advocates. The afternoon session will be geared for municipal planning staff and private planning consultants. 

You may attend both the morning and afternoon sessions.
 
February 21 - Eau Claire, A.M. Session 9 - 11:30; P.M. Session - 1:00 - 4:00  
February 22 - Plover, A.M. Session 9 - 11:30; P.M. Session - 1:00 - 4:00 
February 23 – Oshkosh, A.M. Session 9-11:30; P.M. Session - 1:00 - 4:00
 
*Please note each session is limited to 40 participants.
TAKE ACTION! Contact your Legislators

Check your email. We sent an email this morning asking you to contact your legislators. Local government’s ability to use the market data that is needed to provide for fair assessments of property is in jeopardy! 

The consequences of these proposed changes have the potential to turn assessments on their head and cause a shift in property taxes.

Didn't get the email? Learn more and, if you haven't yet, take action here.
Take the League's Member DEI Survey!

The purpose of the survey is to gather information on where the municipalities of Wisconsin are on the road to fostering diversity, understanding equity, and achieving inclusion. This survey contains 16 questions and will take approximately 5-6 minutes to complete.

There are no right or wrong answers, nor is there judgement associated with those answers. We recognize that every community has its own unique circumstances, requires a different approach, and proceeds at a different pace. This will serve as a baseline to support us in understanding where Wisconsin communities are at on racial equity. Your responses will help inform future training and planning, thereby helping you and your fellow Wisconsin local government leaders learn and grow. Your input is key to this effort.
Fundamentals for Race, Equity, and Leadership
Thursday, January 27th, 1-3PM, Free
This workshop provides an introductory overview for local leaders and staff on the history of racism in the United States. It will equip participants with a shared language for racial equity, support participants in examining existing racial disparities, and provide insight into the responsibility of government to create equitable outcomes for everyone, including People of Color. Facilitated by National League of Cities (NLC) Racial Equity And Leadership (REAL) team.
 
Register in advance or at the time of the meeting. Register here.
Panel Event: Public Rights in Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast
The UWM Center for Water Policy in the School of Freshwater Sciences
January 19, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
The League's Government Affairs Director, Toni Herkert is on the panel.
Sponsored by Wisconsin's Green Fire & the Environmental Law Section of the Wisconsin State Bar
Often overlooked, much of the city's coastline and riverfronts are not original — they’re built on lakebed or riverbed that has been filled to create new land. This webinar features six speakers who bring a diversity of perspectives to the “public trust doctrine” that governs use of filled lakebed and riverfronts. What is public enough to satisfy the public trust doctrine? Can the state and other developers exclude the public? What are the permissible uses on the newly created land? Join us to learn more about the origins of the coastline, policy and funding issues around what to do with dredged sediment, and public rights in this iconic Lake Michigan waterfront. 

1.5 CLE credits available (pending approval.)
ARPA Resources

US Treasury has released the final ARPA Rule: 


January 10 - ARPA Final Rule Released

Stay tuned to the League's Legislative Bulletin for details. Check out the ARPA Resources on the League's website.
On December 3, 2021, Governor Evers signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 112 which includes 2021 Senate Bill 489 Procedural Changes for Clean Water Fund Program, (CWFP) and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) Applications. An overview of Act 112 and the changes that DNR is proposing as a result of Act 112 are described in the draft Environmental Loans Policy Paper available on the Environmental Loans Statutes & Administrative Codes webpage. DNR is accepting public comments on the paper until January 31, 2022.
2023 Urban Nonpoint Source Construction Grant Applications Now Available

Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water (UNPS & SW) Construction Grant applications for projects beginning in 2023 are now available on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s grant program webpage.

The grant program offers local governments competitive grants to control pollution that is carried by storm water runoff from diffuse urban sources. The grants reimburse costs of construction projects that control this type of pollution. Eligible construction projects include:
  • Construction of structural urban best management practices including wet detention
  • Infiltration, or wetland basins, or infiltration trenches
  • Engineering design and construction services for best management practices installation
  • Land acquisition and easement purchase, including appraisal cost
  • Storm sewer rerouting and removal of structures
  • Streambank and shoreline stabilization
Please note that Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water planning grant applications will not be solicited in 2022 but will be solicited again in 2023.

Urban Nonpoint Source Application Webinar
The DNR and UW-Madison Division of Extension
Feb. 15, 2022, 1 – 2:30 p.m. 
Overview of the Urban Nonpoint Source Construction grant program, what's changed since the last grant cycle and what makes a good construction project.
Register in advance for the webinar here.
Wisconsin Downtown Action Council is pleased to announce the next in a series of free webinars presented in partnership with AARP Wisconsin in lieu of the 2021 Downtown Summit.
 
Creating a vibrant place: the arts and creativity in your downtown
With Anne Katz, Director, Arts Wisconsin and WDAC board member
Friday, January 28, 11 am - 12 noon
It’s a proven fact that the arts help establish and provide a sense of place in downtowns large and small. 

Anne Katz of Arts Wisconsin will report on research, models, best practices and ideas for you to make sure the arts are a fixture of your vibrant downtown. 
Downtown leaders, local artists, designers, business owners, community leaders and anyone interested in the arts or downtown is invited to participate. 
Register here. Click here to share this opportunity from the WDAC Facebook page to your own.
Winter Placemaking
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
January 19 at 12:00 noon, Webinar, Free
Darrin Wasniewski, AARP-Wisconsin will discuss the benefits of winter placemaking and share ideas for communities of all sizes. Wisconsin winters are not for the faint of heart. Snow, ice, cold temperatures, and long hours of darkness are just some of the challenges to active living during the wintertime. However, communities can create opportunities year-round for outdoor activities and active transportation. The concept of “winter placemaking” embraces those challenges to connect people with public spaces during the winter season.
Wisconsin Rural Partners
Top Rural Development Initiative Awards Nomination
​
Nominating your initiative for consideration as a Top Rural Development Initiative is pretty easy. Just follow the steps listed below. The deadline for submission is February 7, 2022 . The award winners will be notified of their selection by email no later than March 1, 2022. Winners will be invited to the WRP Rural Summit in April where they will be presented with their award.
  
  • Download the Nomination Form. (Microsoft Word - click to enable editing.)
  • Complete the form addressing all of the 5 elements of the initiative listed on the form.
  • Save the completed form to your computer.
  • Submit the nomination form to Sandy Decker at email.
Podcast: UniverCity Alliance with Waunakee, WI and Ho-Chunk Nation
Better places, together. Two guests joined the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) podcast to talk about the UniverCity Year partnership between the Village of Waunakee, WI, the Ho-Chunk Nation, and students from the University of Wisconsin.

Todd Schmidt is the Village Manager of Waunakee and Bill Quackenbush is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation. They shared how the partnership came about and what the organizations worked on together.
Learn more and listen here.
The USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities. This includes communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. RISE provides grants of up to $2 million to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas.

The funding may be used to support innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, form new businesses, and identify and maximize local assets. USDA encourages applications that serve the smallest communities with the lowest incomes. The deadline to submit applications is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, April 19, 2022. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.

Potential applicants may submit a concept proposal for review by the agency to [email protected] no later than February 18, 2022. For additional information, see page 71868 of the Dec. 20, 2021, Federal Register.

Applicants are encouraged to contact their nearest USDA Rural Development State Office ahead of the application deadline for more information about the program or the application process. 
DNR Releases New PFAS Resource For Firefighting Community
The Firefighting Foam & PFAS In Wisconsin brochure from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now available. The brochure is designed to assist fire departments and contains best management practices (BMPs) to help reduce PFAS-related impacts on human health and the environment.

Firefighting Foam & PFAS In Wisconsin provides information about situations when PFAS-containing foam may legally be used and the responsibilities of fire departments after using this type of foam. It also shares recommended best practices for the storage, use, collection and disposal of PFAS foam and information about evaluating PFAS-free foams to determine if they meet the fire department’s needs.

Additional information about firefighting foam and PFAS is on the DNR’s website.
Reminder NEW LEAGUE GRANTS RESOURCE!

Need help with grant opportunities? The League has created a Grants Resource page on our website.

It includes the Grants Assistance Spreadsheet - a list of companies available to assist you with grants, including grants management. It will download as an Excel spreadsheet to your computer.

We'll be adding to this page in the future. If you have a grants resource you'd like to see posted, please contact Gail Sumi at email.
In response to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases and the strain hospitals are experiencing as they seek to provide both COVID and regular care to their communities, the Wisconsin Hospital Association has launched a new public education campaign encouraging vaccination and boosters.

Watch the Wisconsin Hospital Association video. Click here to share this video from the League's Facebook page to your own or your municipalities page.
Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters

All vaccinated adults 18+ should get a COVID booster.  
  • Get it at least 6 months after your 2nd dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. 
  • Get it at least 2 months after your single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. 
To find vaccines near you, visit vaccines.gov (English) or vacunas.gov (Spanish). 

For more information on COVID vaccine boosters, please visit the CDC website for the latest details and guidance here. 
Thanks to the HHS COVID-19 Community Corps Team.
OPPORTUNITIES
Re-envisioning Rural America
How to Invest in the Strengths and Potential of Rural Communities

To help build a better foundation for leveraging rural assets, we studied populated census tracts across the US that are defined as “micropolitan,” “small town,” or “isolated rural” by the rural-urban commuting area codes from the US Department of Agriculture. Using characteristics of these rural census tracts, we constructed a typology that places each tract in one of seven peer groups according to their assets.

Learn more. Click here to share or comment on this resource from the League's Facebook page.
Thanks to Arts Wisconsin for sharing this with us.
Agitated Subjects & Ketamine: Working Together to Enhance Safety 
Lexipol - (Open to anyone, regardless of whether your municipality is insured by League Mutual Insurance.)
January 18, 2022 - 12 pm Central - Free
Several incidents have made headlines involving EMS administration of ketamine following an interaction between the patient and law enforcement. At least one of these incidents involves criminal charges against EMS personnel.

While ketamine administration is not warranted in most interactions between law enforcement and resisting subjects, it remains a valuable, lifesaving tool for certain agitated subjects in order to facilitate further medical evaluation. Join our panel of experts to learn what public safety agencies can do to mitigate the risk involved with prehospital ketamine use, prevent harm to patients, and develop shared understanding across fire, EMS and law enforcement. 

You’ll Learn:
  • Legal trends associated with prehospital ketamine use
  • Key findings from an ESO study involving more than 14,000 ketamine administrations, including the importance of post-administration monitoring
  • The role and limitations of law enforcement in such incidents and the latest guidance from national EMS organizations about the law enforcement-to-EMS handoff
  • The necessity of cross-agency (fire, EMS and law enforcement) communication, training and policy development for handling subjects that don’t respond to traditional restraint, de-escalation or use of force tactics


Thanks to League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance for providing this resource.
Since 2014, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension has hosted a series of community design “charrettes” in small communities across the state. Extension’s Community Vitality & Placemaking research team offers the award winning Design Wisconsin program-a research-based process for community placemaking and visioning. Participating communities receive community capacity training; a charrette lead by a team of 20 planning and design professionals; and community action planning and implementation support.  
 
Check out one of the short videos to learn more about Design Wisconsin.
Reminder - For Clerks:
Looking for a way to review election processes before a big election year? Check out the Wisconsin Elections Commission Election Administration video series here. Processes reviewed include absentees, military and overseas voters, poll book management, and more. Sign in to WisVote Learning and find Election Administration on the left-hand side of your screen.
Thanks to the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association for this information.
Community Tree Canopy Maps
Individual tree canopy maps can be found on the DNR website. The list of communities and counties with maps/links to maps is here. Or you can obtain a handout ready map by contacting your regional Urban Forestry Coordinator or connecting with the DNR's canopy assessment specialist Dan Buckler: [email protected].

(Thanks to Brian Wahl, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator for this information. Brian presented at the Fountain City Small Community Forum on October 27.)
Campaign: WalkSafe from United Heartland

In addition to the basic Campaign WalkSafe information, visit the Resource Library to find safety articles, eLearnings, printable PDFs, videos and other materials to help you reduce slips, trips and falls throughout the year.
Heads up! Projects Needed - please share with anyone interested
UW-Madison's UniverCity Alliance and Thriving Earth Exchange — an American Geophysical Union program — are looking for Wisconsin communities to work with on their geotechnical projects. This free opportunity connects communities with scientists and experts as they work to solve local challenges related to natural hazards, natural resources and climate change. 
 
 
The deadline is March 1! Past examples of Thriving Earth Exchange projects can be found in this database. Wisconsin-based communities and volunteers who are interested can contact Shelly Strom at [email protected], to get involved! 
laptop_typing.jpg
Subscribe now to the League's "Newish' Cybersecurity Newsletter.

One monthly in-depth issue and alerts as needed. 

Questions or suggestions? Contact the League's Robin Powers at email.
League Handbook Orders!

You can order the following Handbooks in print or as a PDF:
Handbook for Wisconsin Municipal Officials - Completely updated in January 2017. PDF Available!
Handbook for Wisconsin Police and Fire Commissioners - Completely updated in January 2019. PDF Available!
Municipal Licensing and Regulation of Alcohol Beverages - Updated in July 2021. PDF Available!

League Handbooks include: Annual Directory of Wisconsin City and Village Officials (Free PDF) * Annual Products and Services Guide for Wisconsin Municipalities * Annexation of Territory to Wisconsin Cities and Villages * Basic Financial Administration for Wisconsin Local Governments * The Conduct of Common Council Meetings * The Conduct of Village Board Meetings * A Citizen's Guide to Wisconsin Cities and Villages FREE (PDF) * Handbook for Wisconsin Municipal Officials - Completely updated in Jan. 2017. * Handbook for Wisconsin Police and Fire Commissioners - Completely updated in Jan. 2019. * Municipal Licensing and Regulation of Alcohol Beverages - Updated in July 2021. * The Powers and Duties of Wisconsin Mayors * The Powers and Duties of Wisconsin Village Presidents * Proceedings of the Annual Municipal Attorneys Institute * So You've Been Elected (Booklet) * So You Want to Be An Elected Official (Booklet) * Special Assessments in Wisconsin

Orders for print Handbooks will be fulfilled once a week. Place your order here.
EVENTS
Agitated Subjects & Ketamine: Working Together to Enhance Safety 
Lexipol - (Open to anyone, regardless of whether your municipality is insured by League Mutual Insurance.)
January 18, 2022 - 12 pm Central - Free
Several incidents have made headlines involving EMS administration of ketamine following an interaction between the patient and law enforcement. At least one of these incidents involves criminal charges against EMS personnel.

Thanks to League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance for providing this resource.


Panel Event: Public Rights in Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast
The UWM Center for Water Policy in the School of Freshwater Sciences
January 19, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
The League's Government Affairs Director, Toni Herkert is on the panel.
Sponsored by Wisconsin's Green Fire & the Environmental Law Section of the Wisconsin State Bar
Often overlooked, much of the city's coastline and riverfronts are not original — they’re built on lakebed or riverbed that has been filled to create new land. This webinar features six speakers who bring a diversity of perspectives to the “public trust doctrine” that governs use of filled lakebed and riverfronts. What is public enough to satisfy the public trust doctrine? Can the state and other developers exclude the public? What are the permissible uses on the newly created land? Join us to learn more about the origins of the coastline, policy and funding issues around what to do with dredged sediment, and public rights in this iconic Lake Michigan waterfront. 

1.5 CLE credits available (pending approval.)



Winter Placemaking
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
January 19 at 12:00 noon, Webinar, Free
Darrin Wasniewski, AARP-Wisconsin will discuss the benefits of winter placemaking and share ideas for communities of all sizes. Communities can create opportunities year-round for outdoor activities and active transportation. The concept of “winter placemaking” embraces those challenges to connect people with public spaces during the winter season.


Student Loan Debt Relief
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and Savi
Register for one of the following free sessions:
The final extension of the federal student loan payment pause will end on May 1. Find out how to prepare for repayment and avoid student loan debt relief scams at this free workshop. You will also learn how to use the free Wisconsin Strong Student Loan Repayment Tool, created by Savi. This tool can help borrowers navigate the complexities of federal student loan repayment plans, forgiveness programs, and lowering student loan payments.


Fundamentals of Zoning & Land Use Decision Making –
Center for Land Use Education. Union Grove Municipal Center.
Monday, January 21, 2022, $20
This workshop introduces local government officials to three primary tools for land use decision making: the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision ordinance. We’ll take a closer look at zoning decisions and review rules that apply when your plan commission and elected officials adopt and apply the ordinance. Learn about permitted and conditional uses, rezones, and variances. Registration: https://bit.ly/zoninglanduseUG


Fundamentals for Race, Equity, and Leadership
Thursday, January 27th, 1-3PM, Free
This workshop provides an introductory overview for local leaders and staff on the history of racism in the United States. It will equip participants with a shared language for racial equity, support participants in examining existing racial disparities, and provide insight into the responsibility of government to create equitable outcomes for everyone, including People of Color. Facilitated by National League of Cities (NLC) Racial Equity And Leadership (REAL) team.
 
Register in advance or at the time of this meeting. Register here.


WI Salt Awareness Week: January 24-28, 2022

Smart Salting for Parking Lots and Sidewalks
Feb. 3 - Virtual

Smart Salting for WI Roads
Feb. 10 - Virtual
by WI Saltwise


Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2022 Application Training for the Public Facilities (PF) and Planning (PLNG) Program grants
The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) will be conducting the training.
February 2, 2022
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Microsoft Teams Webinar
Join from your computer or mobile device:
Or call in (audio only): (608) 571-2209
Phone Conference ID: 815 412 195#
No pre-registration is necessary.


2022 Wisconsin Policy Forum Annual Meeting
February 3, 2022 | 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Free
Webinar
The Wisconsin Policy Forum's 2022 Annual Meeting will be held on February 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at The Wisconsin Club’s City Club location in Downtown Milwaukee. We are planning an insightful program that will explore the use of federal relief and infrastructure funds by the state of Wisconsin. Presentations by Eric Genrich, Mayor, City of Green Bay; Marcelia Nicholson, Chairwoman, Milwaukee County Board, Josh Schoemann, County Executive, Washington County.


Urban Nonpoint Source Application Webinar
The DNR and UW-Madison Division of Extension
Feb. 15, 2022, 1 – 2:30 p.m. 
Overview of the Urban Nonpoint Source Construction grant program, what's changed since the last grant cycle and what makes a good construction project.
Register in advance for the webinar here.


2022 Government Affairs Seminar
Central States Water Environmental Association
February 16 and 17, $40 for both days - Virtual
The Government Affairs Seminar planning committee has finalized the agenda for the 2022 Seminar. Please join us for another informative seminar to keep you up to date on regulatory issues facing dischargers in Wisconsin.
WDNR CECs: 8 hrs Wastewater; 4 hrs Municipal Waterworks
PDH Certificate: Available on request


Basic Management for Public Works Supervisors
Transportation Information Center.
Thursday, February 17, 2022, $150
Dane County Extension 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 
Learn the basic tasks of management, common public works service delivery methods, and how public works departments are structured to insure accountability and efficiency. Also, you will review common work planning systems and how to better plan your own time. Registration: https://interpro.wisc.edu/tic/workshops/basic-management-for-public-works-supervisors/


Register Now:
Using the League’s New Zoning Guide for Affordable Housing
CNU faculty is providing training for municipal elected officials, staff, and private planning consultants interested in using the Wisconsin-specific Zoning Guide. The training is free but attendance is limited and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

The overall goal of the Guide and the training is to show that bite-sized zoning code changes are possible and can have an immediate impact on removing obstacles to the development of workforce and missing middle housing. 

(The Guide will be available for download in mid-February, prior to the workshops. Background is available on the League's website here.) 

The training will cover how to use the documents in the Guide, navigating the steps to amending a code, and determining where to start. Both the morning and afternoon sessions will focus on the methodology of incremental code reform and the process and implementation described within the Guide.

The morning session will be geared for elected municipal officials, city and village administrators/managers, builders, and advocates. The afternoon session will be geared for municipal planning staff and private planning consultants. 

You may attend both the morning and afternoon sessions.
 
February 21 - Eau Claire, A.M. Session 9 - 11:30; P.M. Session - 1:00 - 4:00  
February 22 - Plover, A.M. Session 9 - 11:30; P.M. Session - 1:00 - 4:00 
February 23 – Oshkosh, A.M. Session 9-11:30; P.M. Session - 1:00 - 4:00
 
*Please note each session is limited to 40 participants.


Fundamentals of Zoning & Land Use Decision Making
Center for Land Use Education. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Resource Center, Janesville, WI.
Monday, February 28, 2022, $20
This workshop introduces local government officials to three primary tools for land use decision making: the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision ordinance. We’ll take a closer look at zoning decisions and review rules that apply when your plan commission and elected officials adopt and apply the ordinance. Learn about permitted and conditional uses, rezones, and variances. Cost: $20. Registration: https://bit.ly/zoninglanduseJNVL


Annual Rural Summit
Wisconsin Rural Partners
April 26-27 - Marshfield
Reserve Your Room Today at Hotel Marshfield! Wisconsin Rural Partners has a room block with a rate of $82.00. Reserve your room at (715) 387-2700 and request the Wisconsin Rural Partner rate.
Complete Agenda and Registration Available in February. Details here.


Wisconsin Public Utility Institute

Ongoing

Wisconsin Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program
Offered through Local Government Education, Division of Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON CONTINUING STUDIES
Leadership, Management and Workplace Skills Classes


Local Government Education Webinar Classes Available for Purchase
If you’ve missed any previous LGE programs, there are several available for purchase here: https://localgovernment.extension.wisc.edu/distance-education/registerpurchase/
 
Some recent webinars for purchase are:
·       Practices for Protecting Local Farmland: https://charge.wisc.edu/LocalGovernment/index.aspx?item_id=161
·       Grants: From the Funders’ Perspective: https://charge.wisc.edu/LocalGovernment/index.aspx?item_id=151
·       Increasing Housing Options through Simple Zoning Changes https://charge.wisc.edu/LocalGovernment/index.aspx?item_id=146
·       Civically Engaging Youth in Local Government and your Community https://charge.wisc.edu/LocalGovernment/index.aspx?item_id=147
GRANTS & FUNDING





Check out the League's General Grants Resource page here.




2023 Urban Nonpoint Source Construction Grant Applications Now Available

Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water (UNPS & SW) Construction Grant applications for projects beginning in 2023 are now available on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s grant program webpage.

The grant program offers local governments competitive grants to control pollution that is carried by storm water runoff from diffuse urban sources. The grants reimburse costs of construction projects that control this type of pollution. Eligible construction projects include:
  • Construction of structural urban best management practices including wet detention
  • Infiltration, or wetland basins, or infiltration trenches
  • Engineering design and construction services for best management practices installation
  • Land acquisition and easement purchase, including appraisal cost
  • Storm sewer rerouting and removal of structures
  • Streambank and shoreline stabilization
Please note that Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water planning grant applications will not be solicited in 2022 but will be solicited again in 2023.

Urban Nonpoint Source Application Webinar
The DNR and UW-Madison Division of Extension
Feb. 15, 2022, 1 – 2:30 p.m. 
Overview of the Urban Nonpoint Source Construction grant program, what's changed since the last grant cycle and what makes a good construction project.
Register in advance for the webinar here.


REMINDERS

U.S. Department of Agriculture
The USDA is accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to help people in rural areas get access to high-speed internet. Application deadline is Feb. 22, 2022. Details here.


Rural Business Development Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program is designed to provide grants to support technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Each year, Congress has mandated that a portion of this program is set-aside to fund projects that benefit members of federally recognized Tribes. Applications are due no later than 4:30 PM local time on February 28, 2022.


Arts Midwest is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program. 
·   What? The NEA Big Read is a community engagement opportunity with grants of up $20,000 for community-wide reading programs (in-person and/or virtual). Organizations can choose one of 15 available books. The majority of these selections are new to the NEA Big Read program! 
·   Who? Eligible organizations include arts organizations, humanities councils, community service organizations, institutions of higher education, libraries, literary centers, school districts, theater companies, museums, tribal governments, and more.
·   Why? Past grantees have a proven track record of successfully engaging their audiences through the power of literature and stirring up a passion for reading that persists year after year. They've also developed meaningful and lasting partnerships with other organizations in their community, and program participants have the opportunity to meaningfully connect in-person and/or virtually.
·   When? The deadline to apply is January 26, 2022.  


Community and nonprofit funding and grants, educational offerings, and key resources


The Very Popular Municipal Dam Grant Application period is OPEN! 
The 2021 Biennial Budget increased the Dam Safety Grant appropriation and provided $10 million for Dam Safety Grants. The Biennial Budget also changed the cost-share amount so that Grants now provide a cost-sharing opportunity for eligible engineering and construction costs for dam maintenance, repair, modification or abandonment and removal up to a maximum of $1,000,000.00. The DEADLINE IS MARCH 4TH, 2022.


Subscribe!
Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities, Publications, Events and Learning is the latest USDA Rural Development Newsletter. This issue includes the new Rural Community Toolkit which is a Tool to Increase Vaccine Confidence in Rural Areas.
Subscribe to the USDA newsletter.