Hello Government and Community Leaders!
Fall is bringing several time-sensitive funding opportunities, planning resources, and regional events that may be useful to your community. This bulletin highlights upcoming grant deadlines, programs to watch, and a local investment worth celebrating.
As always, please let us know how Lakeshore Advantage can support your community’s priorities. Contact Lindsay Maunz at Lindsay.maunz@lakeshoreadvantage.com.
Funding Opportunities
PROTECT Competitive Grant Program
Deadline: October 9, 2026
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s PROTECT program provides funding to help communities plan for and build surface transportation infrastructure that can better withstand severe storms, flooding, drought, extreme temperatures, and other natural hazards. The current round includes $79 million for planning grants and $708 million for resilience grants. Eligible applicants include local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal governments, transportation agencies, port authorities, and other qualifying entities.
Review the PROTECT program and application information.
MSHDA MI Neighborhood Program 4.0
Deadline: October 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
MI Neighborhood provides state and federal funding to repair existing homes, construct new affordable housing, and support community-defined neighborhood priorities. Eligible applicants include local governments, qualifying nonprofits, and for-profit developers. Communities that receive their own Community Development Block Grant entitlement funding are not eligible to use the program’s CDBG funds. Previous applicants must reapply with updated documentation.
Review MI Neighborhood 4.0 requirements and application materials.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Intent to Apply deadline: November 1, 2026
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund offers low-interest financing to eligible public entities for wastewater, stormwater, sewer rehabilitation, nonpoint-source pollution control, and other projects that improve water quality and protect public health. Submitting an Intent to Apply form is the first step for communities interested in pursuing financing through the program.
Review the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and application process.
Rural Development Fund
Letters of Intent deadline: November 2, 2026
The 2027 Rural Development Fund grant cycle includes two funding categories.
- Community and Business Development offers grants of up to $100,000 for infrastructure, community facilities, workforce and economic development, business development, planning, and capacity-building projects.
- Regional Collaboration offers grants of up to $200,000 to establish formal regional partnerships and shared-service models that help multiple communities or organizations jointly use staff, expertise, and systems to build capacity and address multi-county needs. Projects must serve one or more eligible rural areas in Michigan
Eligible applicants include individuals, tax-exempt organizations, businesses, local units of government, federally recognized Tribes, educational institutions, regional planning agencies, and economic or workforce development organizations.
News, Events, and Resources Across the Region
Housing News
Researchers from the Urban Institute published a recent case study of three communities across the country leveraging public resources to advance mixed-income housing projects and increase housing supply. Their findings indicate that mixed-income projects produce substantial shares of affordable units and are more likely than fully-affordable units to be located in high-opportunity neighborhoods.
MI Funding Hub October Webinar
October 15, 2026 | 10–11 a.m. | Virtual
The MI Funding Hub’s bimonthly webinar series offers grant-seeking tips, information on emerging funding opportunities, and practical strategies to help municipalities identify and pursue funding. The October session is free and open to communities and partners interested in strengthening their grant readiness.
Ottawa County Water Quality Forum
Registration deadline: October 16, 2026
Event: October 23, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | Pinnacle Center, Hudsonville
The 21st Annual Water Quality Forum will bring together residents, students, local officials, water professionals, and community partners for updates on Ottawa County water priorities, drinking water, conservation initiatives, Lake Macatawa research, streambank restoration, citizen science, and water quality monitoring. The event is free, but advance registration is required and space is limited.
View event details and register.
Local Wins & Celebrations
Allegan County Fair Receives $100,000 Infrastructure Grant
The Allegan County Fair has received a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to support water main replacement and fire-suppression improvements. The investment will strengthen sanitation, safety, and long-term infrastructure reliability at the fairgrounds.
This update is provided by Lakeshore Advantage to keep government and community partners informed about opportunities, resources, and progress across West Michigan.
