State Tribal Economic Development Commission (STEDC)
Tribal Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency Reinvestment Program
About the Program
The Tribal Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency Reinvestment Program (the Program), was approved as part of the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645) and signed into law by Governor Schweitzer on May 14, 2009 (Chapter 489, Laws 2009). It is an economic stimulus program administered by the State Tribal Economic Development Commission (STEDC).
The Program allocated $4,943,500 in grants to tribal governments. These grants provided funding for projects that could be implemented immediately to improve infrastructure or energy efficiency. The funds were intended to be allocated to complete priority projects as determined by the appropriate tribal government. The Montana Reinvestment Act provides that, while each tribal government may receive differing grant amounts, each tribal government must be allocated at least $200,000.
Who Is Eligible
The governing body of each of Montana's seven federally recognized tribal governments and of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe are the only eligible applicants for this Program. A formal tribal governmental resolution supporting the project or an official letter from the tribal chair or president authorizing the application to the Program must accompany an application.
Funding Availability
At its May 26, 2009 meeting, the STEDC voted to divide the Program funds equally among the eight eligible tribal governments, making $617,937.50 available for which each tribal government can apply.
The Program cannot reimburse tribal government(s) for expenditures incurred prior to May 14, 2009. In addition, any funds made available from the Program must be expended by September 30, 2010. Program funds not expended by September 30, 2010 will revert to the state general fund.
What Qualifies
Eligible projects are broken out into two broad categories: infrastructure improvements and energy efficiency improvements. The following discussion of eligible projects is not an exhaustive list and should only be used as a guide. The STEDC will review all applications for Program grants on a case-by-case basis. In general, however, the following types of projects will be potentially eligible for funding:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS. Grant funding is available for making energy efficiency improvements.
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. Grant funding is available for projects that improve the basic physical facilities, services, structures, or installations needed for the functioning of the tribal government's community or society, including transportation and communications systems, public water supply and sewer treatment facilities, the power grid, and public institutions. According to the 1984 Montana's Task Force of Infrastructure Final Report, infrastructure is defined as the collective, long-term investment by citizens in facilities and installations necessary to their safety and convenience.
Potentially eligible infrastructure improvements include:
- designing, erecting, repairing, and remodeling tribal government buildings;
- designing, constructing, and repairing sewers, storm sewers, sewage - treatment and disposal plants, waterworks, and reservoirs;
- designing, constructing, and repairing bridges, docks, wharves, breakwaters, and piers;
- designing, constructing, reconstructing, improving, maintaining, and repairing roads;
- acquiring, opening, or widening any street and improving the street by designing, constructing, reconstructing, and repairing pavement, gutters, sidewalks, curbs, and vehicle parking strips;
- designing, building, renovating, and equipping parks and other recreation facilities; and
- installing street lighting.
Ineligible Activities
No Program funds may be used to fund all or any portion of a casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, stadium, or swimming pool.
Match Requirement
Program awards are not contingent on securing any "matching" funds. However, applicants are encouraged to seek out other funding sources to leverage Program grant funds to support the costs of eligible project activities. Such funds may be from public or private sources; local general funds; or loans or grant funds from another state or federal program. Program funds can be used to match other state and federal loans or grants that support eligible project activities. In addition, projects that can demonstrate ability for immediate commencement and a completion capability will be given priority.
Tribal Government Resolution or Official Letter
A tribal governmental resolution indicating support for the application or an official letter from the tribal chair or president authorizing the application to the Program is required. The resolution or letter should include the name and summary description of the project being applied for, the name of the tribal organization or entity that will be responsible for managing the application process and grant contract, and the governing body's approval to apply for the Program funds.
Program Deadlines
Applications may be submitted no later than 5:00 pm on July 31, 2009.
The STEDC will review all quarterly progress reports submitted for Q4 of 2009 (December 31, 2009) to determine compliance with the scheduled completion date for each funded project. If the STEDC determines that a project is not likely to expend all grant funds by September 30, 2010, it may require the applicable tribal government to request an amendment to the scope of the awarded project; redistribute all or a portion of the award to other projects proposed by the tribal government and approved by STEDC; or cancel the grant award with that tribal government and redistribute all remaining award funds to another tribal government. All grant funds must be expended on or before September 30, 2010.
How to Apply
We are no longer accepting applications.
Guidelines (PDF of TIEERP Guidelines adopted June 6, 2009)
Appendices
Appendix A Application
Appendix B Project Budget
Appendix C Project Implementation Schedule
Appendix D Designation of Depository Form
Appendix E Signature Certification Form
Appendix F Request for Payment Form
Appendix G Monthly Progress Report Form
Appendix H Quarterly Progress Report Form
Appendix I Project Completion Report Form
Reporting Requirements
Once a grant contract has been executed the tribal government must report on Program funds as follows:
(a) Quarterly Progress Reports. During the term of their HB 645 Tribal Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency grant projects, , grant recipients will need to submit periodic project progress reports to the STEDC within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. These reports will describe the status of the activities set forth in Section 7 SCOPE OF WORK, including, at a minimum, the percentage completed, costs incurred, funds remaining, and projected completion date. The report must also describe any significant problems encountered in carrying out the Project and the scope of any necessary modifications the Grantee is requesting in the SCOPE OF WORK, BUDGET, or Project implementation schedule. Timely quarterly reports are extremely important to the STEDC's ability to submit its report to the Office of Budget and Program Planning for the reporting requirements of the Montana Reinvestment Act funds. The STEDC, at its discretion, may decline to honor the final 10% Request for Payment if the required quarterly progress report has not been submitted to or approved by the STEDC.
(b) Monthly Program Reports. No later than the first Friday of each month during the term of the agreement, grant recipients must report, at a minimum, for itself and all contractors, subcontractors, and subrecipient entities, the following information:
(1) The dollar amount of all contractor invoices;
(2) The supplies delivered and the services performed;
(3) An assessment of the completion status of the work;
(4) An estimate of the number of jobs created and the number of jobs retained as a result of the Reinvestment funds.
- Jobs Created means the cumulative new positions created and filled, or previously existing unfilled positions that are filled, for each project, as a running total over the life of the project, expressed as " " (FTE), calculated cumulatively as all hours worked (jobs created cumulative work hours) divided by the total number of hours in a full time schedule, as defined by the Grantee.
- Jobs Retained means the cumulative previously existing filled positions that are saved/retained for each project, as a running total over the life of the project, expressed as FTE (full time equivalent), calculated cumulatively as all hours worked (jobs saved cumulative work hours) divided by the total number of hours in a full time schedule, as defined by the Grantee.
- The Grantee must report the FTE (job counts should be converted to full-time equivalents), cumulative work hours, and total number of hours in a full time schedule, as defined by the Grantee, for both jobs created and retained.
- Temporary construction jobs should also be converted to annualized full-time equivalents. For example, 20 full time jobs on a three month project count as 5 full-time equivalent annualized jobs; and
(5) Name and physical location of all contractors, subcontractors, and subrecipient entities engaged in any of the activities described in Section 7 SCOPE OF WORK.
(c) Project Completion Report. Upon completion of the final Project, the grant recipient will submit a final Project Completion Report to the STEDC. The Project Completion Report will describe the total costs incurred for the Project, identify the final completion date, summarize any significant problems encountered in carrying out the Project, and provide the final Recovery Funds information for each item set forth in paragraph (b) in this Section. Within 15 days of receiving the Project Completion Report, the STEDC will issue the Notice of Project Close-out.
Submit reports to the following contact information.
Montana Department of Commerce
State Tribal Economic Development Commission
Tribal Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency Program
Attention: Program Manager
301 S. Park Avenue
PO Box 200505
Helena MT 59620-0505
Phone: (406) 841-2821
Fax: (406) 841-2731
Email: tieerp@mt.gov
