Grant Programs

SPORTFISH & BOATING TRUST FUND GRANTS (USFWS)

Click here for a list of state and federal coordinators for the following grant programs.

 

CVA (Clean Vessel Act—pumpout grant program)

The grant program is established under the federal 1992 Clean Vessel Act. The goal of the Clean Vessel Act is to make pumpout stations readily available and significantly more convenient for recreational boaters and marina operators.. This grant program provides a 75%-25% matching grant for the installation and or renovation of marine sewage pumpout stations.

Funding is available to marinas (private, commercial, residential and municipal), gas/service docks, fish houses/seafood dealers, and other boat docking facilities

Eligible grant activities include the construction, renovation, planning and engineering for pumpout stations, including necessary piping to connect to the marina sewage system. Modification of existing on-site septic systems is allowed provided that such a modification is necessary to handle the additional flow generated by the pumpout stations. Repair and/or replacement of pumpout and dump stations damaged or destroyed during storms is also an eligible activity. For more information click here

 

BIG (Boating Infrastructure Grant Program)

This program provides funds to States for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of public boating infrastructure tie-up facilities for transient boats 26’ or more in length. The program is designed to provide transient dockage for recreational opportunities and safe harbors, as well as to:

  • enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural and scenic resources;
  • strengthen community ties to the water’s edge and economic benefits;
  • promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities;
  • provide continuity of public access to the shore; and,
  • promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.

Under the National Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, two types of grants are available, referred to as "Tier I" and "Tier II." Tier I grants are grants of up to $100,000; Tier II grants are those of more than $100,000. Applications are submitted to the states.
For more information click here 

 

Boating Access Grants

Provides funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for distribution to projects that provide access
to our waterways by developing new access facilities, or renovating/improving existing facilities. This program also has a 75-25 match requirement. Funds are predominantly used for construction of boat ramps and associated parking lots, but can also be used for amenities at access site, marina construction, and education programs. Anything built with these funds must be opened to the public. For more information click here


OTHER GRANT & INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
 

 
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
 http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/
A Federal tax credit for private -sector businesses for hiring individuals from twelve target groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. The consolidated WOTC applies only to new employees who began to work for an employer after December 31, 2006 and before September 1, 2011 The main objective of this program is to enable the targeted employees to gradually move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency, while the participating employers are compensated by being able to reduce their federal income tax liability. The consolidated WOTC for hiring most target group members can now be as much as:
  • $2,400 for each new adult hire;
  • $1,200 for each new summer youth hire,
  • $4,800 for each new disabled veteran hire, and
  • $9,000 for each new long-term family assistance recipient hired over a two-year period.
All new adult employees must work a minimum of 120 or 400 hours. Individuals hired as Summer Youth employees must work at least 90 days, between May 1 and September 15, before an employer is eligible to claim the tax credit. The WOTC amount an employer may claim depends on the hours the employee works. The credit is 25% of qualified first-year wages for those employed at least 120 hours but fewer than 400 hours and 40% for those employed 400 hours or more.
 
State and Local Energy Efficiency Programs
http://www.business.gov/manage/green-business/energy-efficiency/state-local/
Here you will find a listing of state, local and regional programs that help small businesses become energy efficient. These programs offer financial assistance in the form of grants and loans for making energy efficient upgrades. These programs also offer free or low-cost technical assistance to help small business owners conduct energy audits and implement energy efficient technology.
 
Federal Energy Efficiency Programs
http://energytaxincentives.org/business/
You may be eligible for federal tax incentives for energy efficient products/processes you put into commercial buildings, purchase of certain energy efficient vehicles, installation of combined heat & power systems, onsite renewables like solar water heating and photovoltaic and certain solar lighting systems, and fuel cells and microturbines to power your buildings.
 
Brownfield restoration:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/grant_info/
EPA's Brownfields Program provides direct funding for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loans, and environmental job training. Developers looking to put a marina on a brownfield site may be able to take advantage of the Assessment Grants and Cleanup Grants. 

Assessment Grants Assessment grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfield sites.
Cleanup Grants Cleanup grants provide funding for a grant recipient to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites.
 
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance
http://www.nps.gov/rtca.
RTCA will help create local, regional and state networks of parks, rivers, trails, greenways and open spaces by collaborating with community partners and National Park areas in every state. Project examples: Develop new trails and greenways; conserve and restore river resources, access and views; convert abandoned railways to multi-purpose trails; promote and develop systems of trails and greenways; preserve open space; and establish new conservation organizations and alliances.
 
Assistance to small shipyards
 http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipping_landing_page/small_shipyard_grants/small_shipyard_grants.htm
 The shipyard facility must construct, repair, or reconfigure vessels 40 ft. in length or greater, for commercial or government use. Grants are for capital and related improvements that will be effective in fostering efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration. Such grants may NOT be used to construct buildings or other physical facilities or to acquire land. Grant funds may also be used for maritime training programs to foster technical skills and operational productivity in communities whose economies are related to or dependent upon the maritime industry. Grants for such training programs may only be awarded to ``Eligible Applicants'' as described below but training programs can be established through vendors to such applicants.