SEMCOG's Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program

Overview

Group of people walking along a grassy riverbank during fieldwork, with water, foliage, and a bridge in distance nearby.

SEMCOG received a $4.2 million grant from the EPA’s Great Lakes Community Project Grant Program (GLCPG) to help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and strengthen Southeast Michigan’s green infrastructure (GI) network.

This funding will support GI projects that manage stormwater, enhance water quality, and connect the region’s green infrastructure network. Eligible projects include bioswales, rain gardens, tree plantings, wetland and habitat restoration, shoreline softening, and other nature‑based solutions. The program is expected to fund 12–15 projects, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $300,000, leading to an estimated annual reduction of 5-11 million gallons of stormwater runoff.

Applications for this subaward program will open on May 4, 2026 and will go through August 21, 2026. We highly encourage you to submit an Interest Form if you or your community is interested in this grant. Submitting an Interest Form helps us to identify priority sites and project ideas and conduct site assessments in the week of June 29 – July 3.

Program Details

Applicants may request anywhere from $50,000 to $300,000 in grant funding. The Call for Projects will be open from May 4 to August 21, 2026, and selected projects are expected to move into the implementation stage beginning in Spring 2027 and continuing through June 2030.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include counties, cities, townships, villages, intermediate school districts (ISDs), community colleges, and nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations (such as watershed councils) must work in partnership with the local government where the project is located.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must implement green infrastructure techniques that reduce flooding, improve water quality, and/or restore habitat. Constructed or large-scale green infrastructure techniques may include:

Biorentetion/rain garden
Permeable pavement
Wetland restoration
Shoreline softening
Floodplain restoration
Tree planting
Regional detention
Other green infrastructure techniques that helps to mitigate flooding

Technical Assistance and Support

The Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) is a partner in this project and will provide technical assistance for project development and application writing. This assistance may include conducting site assessments for GI implementation feasibility, developing cost estimates, and drafting the subaward applications.

Additionally, SEMCOG will offer engineering consultants to assist with design and technical support as needed.

Timeline

May 4, 2026: Deadline to submit interest form submissions. Interest form submittal will include a follow-up discussion about potential project ideas. If interested, CWP and SEMCOG are able to visit a potential project site to determine feasibility.
May 4, 2026: Application period begins.
May 4 – 8, 2026: Center for Watershed Protection and SEMCOG will be available for site visits to determine a site’s green infrastructure feasibility.
August 21, 2026: Applications are due.
Fall 2026: Project Team and Steering Committee will review applications. Once Project Team and Steering Committee give recommendations on which projects to award, SEMCOG will present them to the Regional Review Committee for final funding decisions.
Winter 2026: SEMCOG will notify subawardees and begin grant coordination.

Project Competitiveness and Selection Criteria

SEMCOG’s Regional Review Committee (RRC) decides which projects are selected for funding. Selection criteria prioritize projects that demonstrate environmental benefits, strong partnerships, active stakeholder involvement, meaningful community engagement, and meeting the targeted needs of the community. Project outcomes must be consistent with and implement regional plans such as the Water Resources Plan for Southeast Michigan, Green Infrastructure Vision for Southeast Michigan, State of Michigan Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie, Lake Erie Lakewide Action and Management Plan, Strategic Framework for Growing our Resilience, Equity, and Economy with Nature (GREEN), or another relevant regional plan.

Priority projects include those that:

Consistent with actions identified in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan IV;
Address Lakewide Area Management Plans and Regional Plans (e.g., Water Resources Plan for Southeast Michigan, Green Infrastructure Vision for Southeast Michigan, State of Michigan Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie, Strategic Framework for Growing our Resilience, Equity, and Economy with Nature (GREEN), etc.)
Implements green infrastructure best management practices on public property;
Results in measurable environmental benefits including stormwater runoff reductions (technical merit);
Demonstrates feasibility of implementation (evaluation of level of design, permits required, timing for completion within the budget requested);
Includes additional partners or stakeholders and meaningful community engagement; and
Represents the needs of the target community(ies).

Application and Webinar Materials

Stay tuned for application materials!

Webinar Materials

SEMCOG held an Green Infrastructure Informational Session Webinar in March, 2026. This webinar provided an overview of the funding program and the timeline moving forward.

SEMCOG will be hosting another webinar when the Call for Projects is open and will walk through the application process and technical assistance.

Questions? Please contact Bailee Pasienza, Planner II, Environment and Infrastructure.