SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant in Michigan

The Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) grant program provides funding to financially distressed, very small rural communities in Michigan. The goal of the program is to assist communities in evaluating potential solutions to water and waste disposal problems and preparing preliminary engineering reports and environmental reviews needed to apply for future capital financing. Eligible applicants include public bodies such as municipalities, counties, special purpose districts, federally recognized Indian tribes, and non-profit corporations. The project service area must be a rural area with a population of 2,500 or fewer and an MHI below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan median household income. Eligible projects include predevelopment planning activities for drinking water, wastewater, solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage facilities. Applications are accepted year-round on a continuous basis and can be submitted electronically through USDA Rural Development's RD Apply online system or through the Michigan USDA Rural Development state and area offices.