Application Cycle 25- 03 of the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) is now open through December 2, 2024. The EIAF grant assists political subdivisions (such as municipalities, counties, school districts, special districts, regional Councils of Governments, etc.) that are socially and/or economically impacted by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels. Funds come from the state severance tax on energy and mineral production and from a portion of the state's share of royalties paid to the federal government for mining and drilling of minerals and mineral fuels on federally-owned land.
Applications are accepted for Tier I projects (up to $200,000) and Tier II projects ($200,001 to $1,000,000). In addition, this application cycle will have funding set aside for the following initiatives to assist communities to integrate climate resilience, renewable energy, livability and long-term sustainability through bold, transformative projects.
Climate Resilience Challenge
While current EIAF program guidelines are scored on how they incorporate resilience, renewables, and hazard risk reduction, the Climate Resilience Challenge will take this work to the next level by funding bold projects that move forward cutting edge climate work.
The Climate Resilience Challenge encourages and incorporates projects that align with multiple goals, encompassing climate adaptation, climate mitigation solutions, and social equity. By addressing the most critical vulnerabilities in their community or region, these projects aim to enhance resilience across these three key dimensions.
- The Climate Resilience Guidance & Resources provides background on the climate resilience plans and projects that qualify.
- Applications that incorporate all three of the above criteria will be most competitive for the Climate Resilience Challenge.
- Those that incorporate one or two criteria may be moved to the regular EIAF program grant review, which will require a 50% match rate.
More Housing Now and Land Use Initiative
The Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government (DOLA) supports local government efforts to implement land use and other strategies that expand opportunities for affordable and attainable housing development. The expense of upgrading and expanding infrastructure to encourage affordable and reachable home development is a substantial obstacle to redevelopment. While these project categories are already qualified under the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) grant program standards, this initiative addresses the high need for local government infrastructure to support these projects.
- Eligible projects for the More Housing Now and Land Use Initiative include infrastructure projects that support affordable and attainable housing goals, as well as planning projects that involve the creation and adoption of land use strategies that make it easier to develop affordable and attainable housing.
How to Apply
- The Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) Cycle 25-03 application opens on November 1, 2024 and closes on December 2, 2024 at 5:00 p.m..
- Eligible entities to receive grants and loans include municipalities, counties, school districts, special districts and other political subdivisions and state agencies.
- Applicants are required to contact their Regional Manager prior to submitting any application and must be “ready to go” in order to be accepted into an EIAF grant cycle. The Regional Manager will assist applicants in identifying additional funding sources and will provide technical assistance by engaging other state and local agencies to support the project.
- Applications open today on the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) website.