Erie County, PA Grant Opportunities

Erie County is administering mini grants between $250 and $1,500 to licensed family and group in-home childcare providers who are seeking financial assistance for utility bills for one (1) month. Grant Requirements: Applicant must run a licensed in-home daycare. Applicant must be able to provide an electronic copy of bills they intend to request funding for. Applicants may request reimbursement for utility bills for one (1) month, up to $2,000 for the following: Electric Gas Water Internet Sewer/refuse

Current application timing and deadline need confirmation.

The County of Erie has developed the Erie County Greenways Program (ECGP) in order to financially support park, recreation and trail opportunities throughout Erie County. The goal of this program is to improve the quality of life in Erie County through the preservation and enhancement of the region’s natural, scenic, and recreational resources for public use and enjoyment. Erie County is offering support for various types of greenway, recreation, and conservation projects, such as: planning, acquisition, design, conservation, construction, development, repair, and rehabilitation of greenways, recreational trails, open space, natural areas, community conservation, community beautification, and community and heritage parks. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS · Municipal governments located in Erie County, PA · Municipal authorities located in Erie County, PA · Educational institutions – school districts, colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning · 501(c)3 Non-profits active in Erie County, PA · Regional public agencies active in Pennsylvania OTHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA · Show a need for additional or “gap” funding for their proposed parks, recreation, or trail project(s) – the County’s Greenways funding may not be the only source of cash for proposed project(s); · Align proposed projects and programs with priorities and recommendations identified by the Erie County Comprehensive Plan, the Erie County Parks and Recreation Plan, as well as any other relevant existing community plans; · Adhere to Erie County accessibility standards; · Complete proposed projects and/or allocate funds within two years of the date of award; · Provide proof of ownership/control of the project site for planning, design/engineering and construction projects, at the time of application submission. Ownership is defined as ‘fee-simple’ and control is defined as a ‘long-term lease or easement’ (20-year minimum term). *Note: If the site is leased, provide a copy of the executed lease; · Adhe

Current application timing and deadline need confirmation.

To support, empower, and advance Erie County municipalities, the County is providing Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) monies to create a Municipal Infrastructure Gap Funding Program. Funds may be used to invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet. Following the successful disbursement of $2.5M through this program 2021-2022, Erie County allocated an additional $2.5 million for the Municipal Infrastructure Gap Funding Program in 2023. These funds are being administered by the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Municipal governments located in Erie County, PA* Municipal utilities authorities located in Erie County, PA *The City of Erie is ineligible to apply for Municipal Infrastructure Gap Funding from Erie County. OTHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be eligible for Municipal Infrastructure Gap Funding, applicants must: Have applied for and received their ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocation through either the US Department of the Treasury or the PA Department of Community and Economic Development; Show a need for additional or “gap” funding for their proposed water, sewer, or broadband project(s) and provide matching funds up to 30% of the total project cost; Align proposed projects and programs with priorities and recommendations identified by any relevant existing community plans; Complete proposed projects within the CLFRF timeframe - funds must be allocated/committed by December 31, 2024 and spent, with goods and services received, by December 31, 2026; Adhere to contemporary practices/policies with regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Employ strong labor standards, including project labor agreements and community benefits agreements that offer wages at or above the prevailing rate and inc

Current application timing and deadline need confirmation.

Scholarship Details: Erie County has committed to ensuring all residents who wish to pursue a career in the field of emergency medical services have access to do so, without financial barriers. This scholarship, created by Erie County, intends to provide students with the financial means to attend an academic institution, resulting in an emergency medical services certification. Eligible applicants include Erie County residents pursuing an EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic Certification, who can furnish proof of acceptance to their designated program. Application and Acceptance Process: Prospective EMS certification students will submit their application to Erie County using the following link: https://eriecountypa.submittable.com/submit. The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development and the Erie County Department of Public Safety will review applications and designate awards. If a student is selected for a scholarship award, they will be sent a formal award letter stating their scholarship amount. Erie County will send an electronic copy of a Scholarship Award Acceptance Form to the awarded student and a Scholarship Agreement to the chosen educational institution. Once all documents are signed and accepted, Erie County will release funds to the educational institution to cover the student’s tuition costs. Conditions of the Scholarship: · Scholarship recipients who complete EMT and AEMT courses MUST secure and maintain EMS employment in Erie County for at least one year; otherwise, the scholarship must be paid back in its entirety. · Scholarship recipients who achieve Paramedic certification MUST secure and maintain EMS employment in Erie County for at least two years; otherwise, the scholarship must be paid back in its entirety. · If certification is not possible, the recipient can fulfill the work requirement by volunteering with a volunteer fire department or EMS agency in Erie County for one year.

Current application timing and deadline need confirmation.

Erie County is administering mini grants between $250 and $1,500 to licensed family and group in-home childcare providers who are seeking financial assistance for specific item(s) that will improve the safety of the childcare environment. Grant Requirements: Applicant must run a licensed in-home daycare. Applicant must be able to furnish photos/screenshots of the items they intend to purchase. Items for intended purchase must improve the safety of the childcare environment. The following expenses are not eligible uses of funds: Housing renovations Toys, games, etc. Electronics for children Non-childcare related items Cleaning products/appliances Items that are prohibited in daycares

Current application timing and deadline need confirmation.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW In 2021, Erie County received $52.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars from the US Treasury to be used for COVID-19-related efforts. Of this distribution, Erie County has distributed $1.3M in support of Public Safety programs, of which $635,615 was used for the Fire/EMS Transformational Grant Program. Although the ARPA funds have been fully expended, Erie County intends to continue this program by investing gaming dollars into the initiative. These funds are being administered by the Erie County Department of Public Safety in partnership with the Erie County Emergency Services Committee and the Erie County Department of Planning & Community Development. The goal of the Fire/EMS Transformational Grant Program is to incentivize: (1) development of merger/collaboration plans or strategies to improve service area coverage, (2) training and education, (3) recruitment/ pipeline development, (4) retention strategies, and (5) innovative strategies to help address the crisis facing Erie County emergency services. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Volunteer fire departments/companies located in Erie County, PA Emergency medical services agencies located in Erie County, PA Municipalities located in Erie County, PA (The City of Erie is ineligible for this funding.) OTHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be eligible to apply, applicants are required to: Sign on to the Collaborative EMS Response Plan Agreement for Erie County, if the applicant is a licensed EMS provider; Participate in the County's research study regarding potential development of an EMS Authority PROGRAM GUIDELINES Eligible uses of funding include development of merger/collaboration plans or strategies to improve service area coverage, training and education, recruitment/ pipeline development, retention strategies, including wage subsidies, and innovative strategies to address the crisis facing emergency services. Ineligible uses of funds include purchases of PPE, debt service, and revenue replacement.