Critical Infrastructure Pre-Development Funding Now Available to Michigan Communities

Critical Infrastructure Pre-Development Funding Now Available to Michigan Communities 

The Michigan Infrastructure Office Technical Assistance Center announces new pilot program to help communities move infrastructure projects to funding stage

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) Technical Assistance Center (TAC) today announced the Pre-Development Accelerator Pilot Program (PDAP).  Municipalities and federally recognized tribes can now apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding to pay for required infrastructure pre-development activities for surface transportation, transit, and drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects under development. 

The TAC has supported over 79 infrastructure projects across Michigan in accessing federal funding opportunities by offering federal grant identification and writing, and matching grants to local governments and tribes. With the new PDAP program MIO TAC will invest in impactful transit, surface transportation and water infrastructure projects that are under development but under-resourced. The aim is to prepare critical infrastructure projects in Michigan communities to submit competitive grant applications.

“In the past two years we’ve seen many requests for technical assistance for critical infrastructure projects that are key to the vitality of communities, but many times the project proposals lack necessary components to make them competitive for funding,” said Kris Brady, TAC Director.  “The new Pre-Development Accelerator Pilot will award funding for the pre-construction phase of critical but under-resourced projects to get pre-development work done that will position them to compete for federal funds.”

PDAP funds can be used to pay for activities such as preliminary engineering and design, feasibility studies, environmental review, public engagement, technical studies, data gathering, and more.  The MIO TAC is targeting transit, surface transportation and drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects with the Pre-Development Accelerator Pilot. 

“By helping communities complete critical pre-development work, we’re ensuring that every worthy project has a real chance to compete for federal dollars,” said Kevin Mehren, Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “From small towns to tribal nations, every community deserves the tools and resources to bring their vision to life. The Pre-Development Accelerator Pilot is about building capacity where it’s needed most—so we can strengthen local economies, expand opportunity, and deliver the infrastructure Michiganders count on.”

Kevin Vettraino, Planning Director for Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is excited about MIO TAC’s newest program, the Pre-Development Accelerator Pilot Program. 

“Many communities need help and don’t have the resources or funding to conduct all the necessary pre-development work,” said Vettraino.  “Without funding for pre-development, many communities struggle to apply for or receive the federal funds that they need.  The ability to obtain federal funding can change communities and this is something that every community needs.”

The PDAP Application window will remain open from Monday, November 3 to Monday, December 1, 2025, at 11:5p.m.  The TAC is hosting a live webinar at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 10 to help communities better understand the PDAP and the application process. 

To apply for the Pre-Development Accelerator Pilot program, register to attend a webinar, or learn more about technical assistance opportunities available to your community, please visit the MIO Technical Assistance Center. 

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE 

The MIO is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.