Sterling decides to apply for federal $8M roadwork grant on same day Trump declares funding freeze

STERLING — Sterling is applying for a federal grant that could fully reimburse over $8 million in costs for the future reconstruction of roadwork along sections of Griswold Avenue and Woodburn Avenue.

The council approved the motion to apply during a noon meeting Tuesday at the same time the nation was grappling with President Donald Trump’s announcement he was pausing federal grants and loans while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review. A federal judge Tuesday afternoon temporarily blocked Trump‘s federal funding pause.

[ Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans ]

The council approved a motion to apply for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program. RAISE is a competitive grant program from the U.S. Department of Transportation that funds surface transportation projects that will have a significant local or regional impact.

If approved, the city plans to use the money to add curbing, gutters and sidewalks from Fourth Street to LeFevre Road along Griswold Avenue and from 11th Street to LeFevre Road along Woodburn Avenue next year. This would also include the 11th, 13th and 15th side streets, along with the creation of a multi-use path connecting Scheid Park to LeFevre Road.

“We have no idea how this is going to affect things,” City Manager Scott Schumard said of Trump’s announcement. “The deadline to apply for the program is January 30th. So, we’re going to get our application in and if it’s a temporary freeze, we’re hoping things will open back up because information came out Friday that there’s still $150 million out there towards this program, at the least.”

The city could qualify for 100% funding through the rural portion of the application, with federal cost share possibly exceeding 80% for projects in rural areas, areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities. If needed, the city is committing to covering up to 20% of the project cost using its local option sales tax funds for any required match or additional expenses.

“We do qualify technically under the rural section,” Schumard said. “We are going for 100% reimbursement, but just to make our application a little more attractive, we’re committing up to 20% just in case.”

Should the city fail to get the grant, Schumard said the city plans to use money it has put away for work along North, Spring, Crandall and Merrill streets it was planning to start after the Griswold/Woodburn project was completed.