A significant funding opportunity for communities impacted by military aviation noise is available through the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) which will issue up to $75 million in federal grants.
Purpose: This federal grant opportunity is designed to address the impact of fixed-wing aviation noise on community facilities located near military bases. The Community Noise Mitigation Program was authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-35) Section 8120 and allocated $75 million for these projects.
Timing: The full funding announcement will be published on November 3, 2024, with a 90-day submission window for project proposals through February 1, 2024. After a review period, the OLDCC will announce awards in the Spring of 2024.
Eligibility: The program aims to provide noise mitigation support at covered facilities surrounding military installations. Affected buildings of focus include hospitals, daycare facilities, schools, facilities serving senior citizens, and private residences.
Eligible projects must be:
- construction ready;
- located within a one-mile radius of the military installation; or
- have a day-night average sound level of 65dB or greater.
Of the $75 million allocated for the Community Noise Mitigation Program, there is a designed funding split between Active Component ($56.25 million) and Reserve Component ($18.25 million) installations. $5 million of the total funding amount is intended for communities near military installations that have transitioned to new aircraft types after January 1, 2019.
Funding for awarded proposals will remain available for obligation until September 30, 2025, and must be expended within five years after that obligation. Requests for funds under this program will include a ten percent local cost share from the grantee.
If you have any questions related to pursuing this grant, please contact Keith Fagerquist, Cade P. Groton, or any member of Baker Donelson's Government Relations and Public Policy team with whom you regularly work.