Salt River Project: Arizona Utilities Provide Coal Plant Communities With Grants to Support Economic Development, Planning Efforts

Wedoany.com Report-Nov 18, The Salt River Project, a public power utility and electricity provider, issued the following news:

Sixth Round of Grant Opportunities Now Available

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 town of Eagar received grants for two initiatives. The first $25,000 grant will support the town's ongoing grant writing efforts, which have resulted in six applications completed this year. The second $25,000 grant will support a collaboration with the U.S. Economic Development Administration to expand utilities and infrastructure at the industrial park located on the town's west side, an effort designed to enhance the park's attractiveness to potential tenants.

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.