The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is launching a pilot program to provide funds to organizations working to improve water quality in Buncombe County through investments in the Clean Water Fund. The Board of Commissioners has set aside $100,000 in the FY24 budget to pilot the program with nonprofit and government organizations.
The Buncombe County Clean Water Fund supports Buncombe County’s strategic plan vision of “high quality air, water, farmland and renewable energy for future generations.” The fund is anticipated to support 1-3 projects, with each project ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis, and recipients will be required to provide a site visit, a mid-project update, and a final report. The committee will recommend projects and funding amounts based on project scores as well as the anticipated water quality impact, taking factors into consideration such as geography, equity, and project focus areas.
To be eligible for a Buncombe County Clean Water Fund grant, an organization must be a nonprofit or government including council of governments. Additionally, any project that is proposed must be included in an existing watershed management plan. Non-profits must have been in active operation as an incorporated nonprofit for a minimum of two (2) years. Organizations must operate in Buncombe County and provide service within Buncombe County. If an organization does not meet these criteria, it may partner with another organization to serve as the fiscal agent for the purposes of administering grant funding.
Funds can be used for new construction, repair, restoration, and plantings. Construction drawings and engineering studies are also eligible for funding; however, shovel ready projects are preferred. Applicants must be able leverage funds or resources to support the goals of the proposed project. Questions about funding should be directed to Agriculture and Land Resources Director, Jennifer Harrison, at Jennifer.Harrison@buncombecounty.org or (828) 250-4786.
For more information, visit the Clean Water Fund website.
Timeline
| September 1, 2023 |
Grant application opens |
| September 1-30, 2023 |
Applicant consultations |
| September 11, 2023 |
Applicant questions due by 5 p.m. |
| October 2, 2023 |
Applications due by 5 p.m. |
| October 3-19, 2023 |
Application review and evaluation |
| October 20, 2023 |
Env Subcomittee Meeting - review and recommend awards to full BOC |
| November 7, 2023 |
BOC meeting - present recommendations to full BOC |
| November 8 - 30, 2023 |
Contracts awarded |
| December 2023 - June 2025 |
Project implementation |
Minority Business
Buncombe County’s adopted Minority Business Plan encourages participation by minority and women owned businesses. Buncombe County policy is to provide minority contractors an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of its contracting and procurement programs, and to prohibit any and all discrimination against persons or businesses in pursuit of these opportunities. Minority Business Plan questions may be directed to Buncombe County Procurement at (828) 250-4154. Sources for certified minority firms are available at http://www.doa.nc.gov/hub.