THREE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED IN JAN. ON FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE CLEAN WATER AND DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROGRAMS

DOVER (Jan. 4, 2013) - Three public workshops, one in each county, on the latest opportunities for financial assistance for wastewater, stormwater and drinking water infrastructure projects have been scheduled in January. DNREC's Financial Assistance Branch (FAB) and the Division of Public Health, Office of Drinking Water (ODW) are hosting the workshops in preparation for developing Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) FY 2013 Project Priority Lists (PPLs). Municipal government representatives, privately owned wastewater and drinking water utilities, consultant engineers and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. Attendance at one of the workshops is required by applicants and their consulting firms that plan to apply for CWSRF assistance and/or have already submitted pre-applications for DWSRF assistance.

• New Castle County: 10 a.m. to noon, Tues., January 15, 2013; Delaware Technical and Community College, Wilmington Campus, 333 N. Shipley Street, Wilmington
• Kent County: 10 a.m. to noon, Wed., January 16, 2013: Kent County Administrative Complex Building, 555 South Bay Road, Room, 220, Dover.
• Sussex County: 10 a.m. to noon, Thurs., Jan. 17: Delaware Technical and Community College, Owens Campus, William Carter Partnership Center, Room 540 A&B, Georgetown.

Starting Jan. 15, Notices-of-Intent (NOI) for wastewater, stormwater, and related infrastructure projects will be solicited to prepare the FY 2013 CWSRF PPL. Pre-applications for DWSRF projects have already been solicited and received by ODW for preparation of the DWSRF PPL and do not need to be resubmitted. To be considered for funding, an NOI must be submitted for each project and listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF PPLs. CWSRF NOIs are due to DNREC's Financial Assistance Branch by Feb. 15, 2013.

Workshop participants will learn about recent CWSRF and DWSRF program changes and infrastructure financing tools, including:

• One-stop loan application process for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project assistance
• Interim interest rate policy adjustment: 62.5% of municipal and corporate bond yields
• Land Conservation Loan Sponsorship Program
• Source Water Protection loans for drinking water supplies
• Wastewater and Stormwater Facilities Matching Grants

In addition, detailed information will be presented regarding project eligibilities, how and when to submit projects for funding consideration, project ranking criteria, project construction requirements, and how to apply for Wastewater and Stormwater Matching Planning Grants. Individuals planning to attend one of the workshops should RSVP by contacting Jessica Velazquez at (302) 739-9941 or by e-mail at Jessica.Velazquez@delaware.gov.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.