OEA announces new funding to enhance defense community infrastructure

Key Takeaways

On May 6, the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) launched the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program, a new grant opportunity aimed at enhancing infrastructure in communities with defense installations, including counties. The program will enable eligible grant recipients to enhance off-base community infrastructure that supports the quality of life for military families and improves military resiliency, both of which are key goals for counties that work with defense bases in our jurisdictions.

OEA will accept proposals through June 26 for grants to construct off-base infrastructure and fund infrastructure projects with a cost-share component. Proposed projects must request at least $250,000, but no more than $25 million, and be ready for immediate construction. State and local governments, non-profit organizations and member-owned utility services will be eligible to apply. More information on the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program and key application dates can be accessed at this link.

NACo is supportive of federal resources that enhance federal-county partnerships around issues impacting defense communities. For the first time during NACo’s 2020 Legislative Conference, county leaders convened with federal officials responsible for defense installations to explore how counties and military bases could partner on issues such as environmental protection, land use and economic development. A livestream of the event can be found at this link.

For additional NACo resources on counties and defense installations, please see the following links:

• Video: Summit for Counties with Defense Installations (NACo event livestream)
• Counties and Military Installations 101: Leveraging the Farm Bill to Promote Compatible Land Use and Community Development (NACo report)