Federal grants for public works now require less local matching money

The US Economic Development Administration has changed its rules for how much local money is needed to get federal grants. This means local governments and organizations will have an easier time funding public works projects like roads, water systems, and broadband internet.

Federal grants often require local governments to put up a percentage of the project cost. This can be a major barrier for smaller towns or economically struggling regions. By reducing the local share, more communities can access federal funding for critical infrastructure, which can unlock local economic development that was previously out of reach.