This action approves an award in the amount of $1,750,000 to the university of north carolina-chapel hill (UNC)

UNC will develop capacity in state revolving fund (SRF) programs in the region to support equitably and effectively administering the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) funding by first evaluating state-level SRF programs and capacity, and subsequently providing customized advising and technical assistance to state staff. The UNC will provide technical assistance and capacity development to individual utilities and communities to help them navigate the SRF application process, addressing barriers or knowledge gaps to increase their probability of receiving funding. UNC will perform the following activities: create an adaptive framework to identify, evaluate, and address existing inequities in access to water, wastewater, and storm water SRF funding. The anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes, and outputs of this work includes: resources, tools, and one-on-one technical assistance - will result in an increase in awareness of challenges communities face in accessing SRF funding at the state level (hopefully accompanied by a reduction of barriers) coupled with an increase in the number of communities who are successfully able to access SRF funding and implement projects that create sustainable solutions to their water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure challenges. The intended beneficiaries are those in the disadvantage communities. UNC plans to engage north carolina central university to assist communities with application writing. Should this type of support not be beneficial to the communities, UNC would redirect these funds to another partner to provide the highest quality technical assistance possible. Activities:UNC will performed the following activities: create an adaptive framework to identify, evaluate, and address existing inequities in access to water, wastewater, and stormwater SRF funding. Subrecipient:UNC plans to engage north carolina central university to assist communities with application writing. Should this type of support not be beneficial to the communities, UNC would redirect these funds to another partner to provide the highest quality technical assistance possible.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes, and outputs of this work includes: resources, tools, and one-on-one technical assistance - will result in an increase in awareness of challenges communities face in accessing SRF funding at the state level (hopefully accompanied by a reduction of barriers) coupled with an increase in the number of communities who are successfully able to access SRF funding and implement projects that create sustainable solutions to their water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure challenges.