Antero Technical Assistance Grant (A-TAG)
A-TAG Program Description
Antero Group is committed to supporting communities with limited resources. We recognize that the challenges of diverse and rural communities are often difficult to meet in the best of times. In a coronavirus impacted world, overcoming legacy challenges can be all the more difficult. This Program is intended to provide qualifying communities with up to $15,000 in technical assistance. The goal of this grant program is to provide professional services to local governments, nonprofits, tribes, and community organizations that are seeking to initiate, refine, or advance project ideas that contribute to more livable, resilient, and equitable communities. This program is intended to help communities and organizations prepare for a full-scale planning effort by helping selected applicants refine the vision and goals for a project, convene stakeholders, build capacity, clarify next steps, and equip them with resources that can be used for other funding sources and initiatives. Winning projects will support and reflect one or more of the following:
- Community-Based. The project will map, build upon, connect, and strengthen community assets.
- Local Ownership. Responsibility for next steps will be vested with stakeholders.
- Action Oriented. A-TAG resources will be targeted for proactive applicants that are ready to act.
- Capacity Building. The project will help build local capacity to implement next steps.
- Efficiency. The project will entail a clear scope and be completed through a single workshop.
- Collaboration. A diverse set of community stakeholders will be engaged through the project.
- Revitalization. A plan will be developed to revitalize or repair a key community asset.
- Healthy Communities. A unique program will be developed to address public health concerns.
Type of Assistance Available through A-TAG:
- Define project vision and goals
- Inventory and map community resources
- Identify and analyze challenges and opportunities
- Engage and facilitate partners and stakeholders
- Design community outreach and participation strategies
- Develop concept plan(s)
- Set priorities and build consensus
- Identify funding and implementation strategies
- Develop a sustainable organization framework
- Grant writing support
- Coach teams, groups, or partners
- Host or support a training or workshop
- Action Plan and Resource Guide development
- Community health program development
Possible Project Themes:
- COVID-19 Resiliency Strategy
- Housing
- Transportation
- Community / Economic Development
- Open Space
- Water
- Public Health
- Resilience / Hazard Mitigation
- Equity
- Sustainability / Climate Action
- Capacity Building
- And more.….
Grant Assistance Overview
Grant assistance will include a visioning session to gain a clear understanding of the project needs, the stakeholders involved, and to determine a point of contact for all necessary supporting documentation. Antero will then develop a grant writing strategy that includes a resource guide with additional funding, financing, and technical assistance opportunities to fund subsequent project phases. A follow up strategy session will be scheduled to review potential funding opportunities, target 1-3 programs for immediate applications (pending project need and available programs). Antero will then support the development of and ultimately submit the applications to these target programs, maintaining close coordination with the grantee. Grant administration support will also be provided where possible and a six-month follow up will be scheduled for additional support.
About Antero Group
Antero Group (Antero) is a civil engineering, urban planning, and strategic consulting firm with a network of five offices across the United States. We are a team of engineers, urban planners, design professionals, and economic development experts that envision a world where resilient design and social equity is business as usual in the built environment. Our firm takes a holistic approach to problem-solving and project delivery and strives to create a dynamic and rewarding work environment. We partner with clients to deliver transformative projects that create a more livable, resilient, and equitable built world. We leverage interdisciplinary teams, creative thinking, and collaborative processes to design innovative and effective solutions to complex challenges. We believe that working alongside our clients and developing long-term partnerships is the best way to deliver projects that creating lasting value.
Learn more: www.anterogroup.com
The A-TAG Process
The A-TAG program will select 2-3 applicants at a time based on project need, feasibility, and local support. Antero will work with the selected applicants to refine the scope of work, outline the logistics for a collaborative planning workshop, and identify key community stakeholders. Once the project scope, logistics, and stakeholders are clarified, Antero will work with the applicants to build local support and momentum for the project. The applicant will then host a half day collaborative planning workshop with a diverse set of community stakeholders in which Antero staff will provide facilitation and technical assistance. Following the planning workshop, Antero will deliver an action plan that summarizes the key findings and outlines a clear path forward for the project. Antero will follow up six months after the delivery of the action plan to discuss project implementation, pivot strategies, and next steps. Projects do not necessarily need to adhere to this script and unique projects are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
The A-TAG program provides planning services to municipalities, non-profits, tribes, and community-based organizations located anywhere in the United States. Priority will be given to communities and organizations that demonstrate that they have a financial need, a desire to participate in a rapid response planning process, the capacity to implement the project and next steps, and local support for the project.
Eligible Entities include:
- County, City, or other political subdivision of a state or local governments;
- Non-Profits;
- Institutions of higher education;
- Tribes; and,
- Community-Based Organizations.
Priority will be given to applicants who meet any of the following criteria:
- Rural Area: Project must be located in a region with population of 50,000 or less.
- Low Moderate Income: Project region must contain at least one census tract with 48% or greater low to moderate income households based on the 2011-2015 ACS.
- Unemployment Rate: Unemployment Rate is at least 2 percentage points than the most recent 24-month national average unemployment rate according to the Census.
- Minority Region: Minority population must represent a minimum of 51% of the project defined region.
Applications to the program are accepted on a rolling basis and applicants will be notified of award within three months of submission. For more information or for questions, please contact [email protected].
