Water Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Thriving Communities 08 27 2024

The Thriving Communities Webinar Series is a part of University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network's collaboration to build capacity for technical assistance and education aimed to help communities navigate energy- and environment-related federal grant application systems, provide guidance on community inclusion, and lead community-specific strategic planning. This outreach should help communities secure and administer funding to address legacy pollution and invest in clean energy technologies.

Water Infrastructure: Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund Programs and USDA SEARCH Grants
Tuesday, August 27 at 12PM CT

Explore how your community can access funding opportunities for its next water project. IEPA and USDA experts will join us to explain the State Revolving Fund and SEARCH Grant.

The Illinois State Revolving Fund provides low-interest loans for stormwater/wastewater and drinking water projects. These funding cycles run annually from July to June and comprise the state Water Pollution Control Loan Program (WPCLP) and the Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP).

• The Water Pollution Control Loan Program (WPCLP) funds stormwater and wastewater infrastructure projects that reduce the pollution released into our state waterways.

• The Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP) funds drinking water infrastructure projects that ensure communities have access to clean, affordable, and equitable drinking water.

The USDA SEARCH Grant offers predevelopment feasibility studies, design, and technical assistance for proposed water and wastewater disposal projects in small, financially distressed rural communities.

Speakers:

Nidhan Singh serves as the Deputy Section Manager of State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan programs for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). He holds a degree in Finance from St. Louis University and a M.B.A from DePaul University. He has an extensive background in finance, having worked in the banking sector for 11 years, performing data analysis, budgeting/forecasting, and financial reporting. Nidhan joined the IEPA in 2021 as a Finance manager of the State Revolving Fund, ultimately transitioning to the program side of the SRF. Outside of work, he enjoys running, staying current on world affairs, going to the ball game, and cheering on the Cubs.

Randa Watts joined Prairie Rivers Network in January as the Clean Water Organizer. She focuses on water quality, infrastructure funding, education & outreach. Originally from Nebo, IL, Watts served in the Illinois Air National Guard and earned her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Jean Crowley has served as a Community Programs Specialist with the USDA for 5 years. She works in the Single Family Housing and Community Programs and is a Loan Specialist in the Illinois State Office. She enjoys being part of the process of helping communities get the vital funding they need to maintain and grow.

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