Wedoany.com Report-Nov 20, Three municipalities in Northern Arizona impacted by the transition away from coal-fired power plants will receive a total of $125,000 in economic development grants from the Utilities' Grant Funding Program. Jointly funded by Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP), the program provides funding for critical grant writing, matching funds and technical assistance to help governments and organizations develop new, sustainable economic strategies for residents and others in impacted communities. The following towns and cities were recently selected as grant recipients.
The city of Page also will receive dual grants. The first $25,000 will support the city's application for U.S. Economic Development Administration disaster relief grant funds for the town's Downtown Business Development Project. The second grant, also in the amount of $25,000, will help pay for more than a fifth of the cost to develop long-range transportation plan studies. This will facilitate the inclusion of projects in the Arizona Department of Transportation's state transportation plan for consideration of state and federal funding assistance.
The city of St. Johns will receive $25,000 to help cover the cost of hiring a consultant to develop a plan for roadway resurfacing, widening and realignment to improve traffic flow and safety. The plan can then be used to acquire additional funding for infrastructure improvements.
APS, SRP and TEP pledged a combined $1 million in awards available through the Utilities' Grant Funding Program. Tribal, state, and local governments, public schools, economic development groups and nonprofit groups within 75 miles of a closing or closed coal plant are eligible to apply. More details about submission eligibility and requirements are available here.
The utilities have funded five rounds of grants since the program's inception in 2023. The sixth grant application cycle is now open. Applications are due by December 15, 2024. APS' and TEP's contributions to the Utilities' Grant Funding Program are not recovered through customer rates.
