Community Infrastructure Fund

The Community Infrastructure Fund is a federal grant program administered by the Delta Regional Authority, a federal agency established by Congress in 2000 to promote economic development across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. The agency operates across eight states and supports more than 10 million residents through investments in infrastructure and economic growth initiatives. The Community Infrastructure Fund serves as a primary investment tool alongside the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program, focusing on improving critical infrastructure and enhancing economic opportunity in distressed and underserved communities. The purpose of the Community Infrastructure Fund is to provide direct financial support for community-based and regional infrastructure projects that address key areas such as basic public infrastructure, transportation systems, and flood control. Eligible projects include improvements to water and sewer systems, electrical infrastructure, roadways, levees, and drainage systems. These investments are intended to improve quality of life, strengthen economic resilience, and support long-term regional development. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong community impact, sustainability, and alignment with regional development strategies. Funding for the 2026 cycle totals approximately 15 million dollars, with individual grant awards typically ranging from 250,000 to 1 million dollars. Applicants may propose project timelines based on their needs, but all funded projects must be completed within 24 months from the official start date. While cost sharing is generally encouraged and may strengthen an application, it is not required for projects serving distressed communities or providing essential infrastructure services. However, when included, matching funds must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise permitted by federal guidelines. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as local governments, nonprofit organizations, regional development organizations, workforce boards, labor unions, educational institutions including colleges and minority-serving institutions, and federally recognized Tribal governments. All proposed projects must benefit communities within the Delta Regional Authority’s designated service region, which includes parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Projects that extend beyond this region may only receive funding for the portion that directly benefits the eligible area. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Community Infrastructure Fund portal. Applicants are encouraged to work closely with Local Development Districts, which provide technical assistance and guidance throughout the application process. Required application components include a detailed project narrative, budget justification, documentation for infrastructure projects, evidence of community engagement, and alignment with regional and federal priorities. The Delta Regional Authority uses a structured scoring system to evaluate applications, considering factors such as project design, community need, alignment with strategic goals, measurable outcomes, partnerships, and overall impact. The application review process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by a detailed scoring evaluation based on established criteria. The Delta Regional Authority retains discretion to negotiate budgets, request additional information, or reject applications that do not meet program requirements. Selected projects must comply with federal regulations, including the Build America, Buy America Act, which requires the use of domestically produced materials for infrastructure projects unless a waiver is granted. For the 2026 funding cycle, applications open on May 26, 2026, and close on August 24, 2026. Technical questions may be directed to the program email, and applicants are strongly encouraged to seek assistance early in the process. Following submission, applications undergo review and selection, with awards contingent upon the availability of funds. The program is offered on a recurring basis, with annual funding cycles expected, supporting continued investment in infrastructure and economic development across the Delta region.

Emphasize strong data driven justification of infrastructure need; demonstrate clear alignment with DRA priorities; include measurable outcomes and community impact; strengthen application through partnerships and cost sharing where possible