Counties near military installations can apply for two open grant opportunities available from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). OLDCC’s assistance programs are designed to support the readiness and resiliency of military installations and defense communities across the country. Technical expertise and grants are available to develop site-specific responses that benefit both civilian and U.S. Department of Defense priorities. Due in July, the two opportunities are the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program and the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program.

Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program 

On May 9, OLDCC announced availability of funds for state and local governments through its Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) Program. DCIP is a competitive grant program that seeks to make targeted infrastructure investments in communities adjacent to military installations. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is allocating $90 million towards off-base infrastructure projects that boost military value, installation resilience and military family quality of life. DCIP creates a unique opportunity for counties to partner with the federal government in making mutually beneficial capital investments. Applications must target key infrastructure priorities, such as transportation, schools, hospitals, police, fire, power, wastewater, telecommunications and other utility projects. 

Eligible projects must be construction-ready, with all other funding secured. Local communities must provide at least a 30 percent match of funds—with exceptions for projects determined to be advantageous to national security or sited entirely in a rural community with fewer than 100,000 residents. Projects must be owned by a state or local government or not-for-profit, member-owned utility service. The local commander representing the local installation benefiting from the project must endorse the project. Projects must break ground by 2023 and be complete by 2028. Grants can range from $250,000 to $20,000,000. The deadline to apply is July 18 and awards will be issued prior to Sept. 30, 2022. Learn more and apply here.

Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program

Counties may also benefit from the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program. This program is targeted to counties with an existing defense-related industrial base. The DOD is allocating $30 million towards long-term community investments to strengthen national security innovation and expand the capabilities of defense industrial ecosystems. Priority sectors for grant approval include biotechnology, hypersonics, kinetic capabilities, energy storage and batteries, castings and forgings, microelectronics and submarine and shipbuilding sectors. Eligible activities for financial or technical assistance include equipment or facility upgrades, workforce training, business incubators, advanced research, supply chain development and small business assistance.

Counties must apply as part of a larger consortium, which may be composed of members from academia, defense industry, federal laboratories, commercial industry and state, local or tribal government organizations. The consortium must demonstrate regional collaboration capabilities and supply chains that are critical to national security. DOD will designate successful applicants as “Defense Manufacturing Communities” and then work with designated consortia to develop their final funded projects. Applicants must provide at least a 20 percent match of the entire project cost and funding must be used by 2027. The deadline to apply is July 19 and awards will be issued by September 30, 2022. Learn more and apply here.