SSDN Launches Local Infrastructure Hub Cohorts Program to Deepen Support for Southeast Communities’ Access to Federal Funding

July 14, 2023

The Southeast Sustainability Directors Network has officially launched a new program as part of a broader effort to provide deeper support to communities who need additional capacity to access federal funding. The Local Infrastructure Hub (LIH) Regional Cohorts program provides direct support and technical assistance (TA) to local governments and their partners in the Midwest and Southeast to access federal funding available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to advance equitable climate projects and initiatives. 

By working with local governments and their community partners in the Southeast, SSDN’s LIH Regional Cohorts program will accelerate local investment in equitable climate action while sharing program lessons and approaches that can be amplified in other communities for future efforts.

Program goals are focused on building local government capacity, enhancing community engagement, and improving implementation of IIJA, IRA, and other federal funding sources. By implementing this support, SSDN seeks to:

  • Accelerate climate action through climate goals and equity and racial wealth equity.
  • Incorporate the Justice40 Initiative into application packages.
  • Share information for future local governments for projects that are successful. 
  • Create meaningful, observable change for all community residents, especially for communities of color.

Communities will have the opportunity to apply for one on one assistance from SSDN’s LIH Cohort’s technical assistance bench and/or capacity building awards to support things like: 

  • Grant strategy: help with identifying and aligning community needs to federal funding opportunities
  • Engagement: community and stakeholder ownership in proposal planning
  • Technical exploration: expertise in a specific topic, like energy efficiency
  • Federal proposal development: support drafting and submitting a proposal

This program is open to communities in 12 states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, and VA) and membership in SSDN is not required. For more information about the program and application process, please visit SSDN’s website. 

Questions may be directed to Michael Dexter until July 31, 2023. Starting August 1, all questions and interested applications should direct questions to Nick Deffley at nick@southeastsdn.org.