U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that the department is accepting grant applications to reduce water pollution in rural areas through improvements to solid waste management.

Applications are being accepted under the Solid Waste Management Grants program. USDA provides these grants to organizations that offer technical assistance or training to help rural communities manage solid waste sites and eliminate water pollution. The program is one of the many ways USDA promotes a healthy community and environment with loans and grants that ensure people, children and families have clean water and safe sewer systems to prevent runoff and pollution.

Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes and academic institutions in rural areas and towns with 10,000 or fewer residents. Special consideration may be given to projects serving areas with fewer than 5,500 or 2,500 people, multiple states or lower-income populations.

USDA expects to make approximately $4 million available through the program. Funds may be used to:

• Evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water
• Provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active
• Provide technical assistance or training to help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill.
• Provide technical assistance or training to prepare for the closure and future use of a landfill

Projects must be completed within 12 months.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2022.

USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities create more and better market opportunities, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.

Some of the best pilots from across the nation have returned to Salina to compete in the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships this week. Each year, the event brings in pilots to compete across five different categories with opportunities to earn spots in flight teams that compete further, and a shot at being named the United States National Aerobatic Champion.
Source: Salina Journal

A much debated traffic control effort in Old West Lawrence continues, with the third and final configuration of the pilot program set to be installed soon. The revised configuration of traffic calming devices results in fewer turn restrictions and adds other new features, such as planters that take up a portion of the driving lane. The new configuration will be installed next week, weather permitting, according to an announcement in the city’s newsletter. The third configuration is based on the recommended plan from the members of the Old West Lawrence Traffic Safety Team, according to the project website.
Source: LJWorld

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.