Bowman’s grant writing team is built to work across industries, including local utilities, municipal water & wastewater and transportation. Across those sectors, our team has helped local governments throughout the U.S. secure federal and state grants and low-interest loans ranging from $1 million to $500 million for water, sewer and transportation projects. And because Bowman’s services extend beyond grant support, we stay engaged through design, construction and closeout.
We sat down with three of our grant writing subject matter experts—Nick Marcotte, director of water & wastewater, Randy Waltermyer, regional service lead, transportation planning and Todd Chase, director of financial & economic consulting—for a look at how Bowman’s grant writing services set clients up for success across industries and projects.
Water & Wastewater: Helping Small Communities Build Big Infrastructure
Nick Marcotte, PE | Director of Water & Wastewater
Q: For smaller or rural municipalities that feel like they can’t compete with larger applicants, where would you tell them to start?
A: There are programs specifically designed for smaller communities, including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and the State Revolving Fund (SRF). USDA funding is only available to municipalities below 10,000 people, and SRF provides grants for small and disadvantaged communities based on criteria like median household income. As long as you’re meeting the requirements, the money is largely there, so you ultimately just need to get in line and follow the right procedures.
Q: Once a grant is awarded, how does Bowman help navigate cost changes or gaps between the original estimate and what projects actually cost to build?
A: We had projects where estimates were developed in early 2020, and by the time we went to bid in 2024 or 2025, construction costs had increased 40 to 50 percent. Both USDA and the SRF have mechanisms to address this; USDA calls it a cost overrun application. Because Bowman handles both the grant side and the engineering, we help clients navigate those moments by pursuing additional funding or finding efficiencies in scope.
Transportation: Funding a More Resilient Transportation Network
Randy Waltermyer, AICP | Regional Service Lead, Transportation Planning
Q: What types of transportation projects are currently the strongest fit for available federal and state funding programs?
A: Projects that aim to address climate change via infrastructure resiliency are very fundable right now. Climate resiliency transcends all transportation modes and sectors, so the intersection and applicability of resiliency grants is quite broad.
Q: What’s a transportation project you’re especially proud of helping fund, and what impact has it had?
A: Speaking of climate resiliency, in Pittsburgh, PA there’s a depressed section of I-376 that runs along the Monongahela River. Locally, this section of I-376 is known as “the Bathtub” because when the Monongahela spills its banks, it overwhelms this section of the interstate and impacts the 70,000 vehicles that use it daily. Bowman worked with PennDOT and a team of partners to secure $6.7 million in federal funding to raise the floodwall, enhance pumping capacity and incorporate new warning systems to keep this critical artery open and safe. Construction of these improvements is commencing later this year.
Local Utilities: Why a Grant Denial Isn’t the End of the Road
Todd Chase, LEED | Director of Financial & Economic Consulting
Q: What’s the biggest misconception utility clients have about the grant process before they start working with Bowman?
A: Most applicants don’t allow enough time to gather the necessary input and letters of support ahead of a due date. It’s good to budget at least four to six weeks for each submission. Beyond timing, clients should also not be discouraged if they don’t get a grant on the first attempt. Most applicants try multiple times before being awarded a major federal grant.
Q: If a client has had a grant application denied, what’s your approach to helping them reapply successfully?
A: The first step is always a debrief with the grant-issuing agency to understand specifically how to improve in the next round. Next, try to build up the local match and partnerships with other agencies and private entities. Then, make sure the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is favorable at a 7% discount rate; this may require value engineering to lower costs and fast-tracking construction.
Bowman’s grant services team works across sectors and geographies to help clients identify funding opportunities, build competitive applications and deliver funded projects. To learn more about how Bowman can help secure funding for your next project, contact us at grants@bowman.com.
