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MAP programs and services cover training, technical assistance and financial help.
MAP staff provides
on-site, localized instruction tailored to the needs of a specific
community, tribe, system owner, operator or governing board, as well
as classroom type training qualifying in many instances for
continuing education credits or leading to required system operator
certifications. Technical assistance helps communities and tribes
looking to expand or improve water and wastewater facilities, as
well as those just needing to improve the management and operation
of systems already in place. Financial help
includes a revolving community loan fund operated by an independent
but closely affiliated agency, the ability to act as a broker to
help communities access other funds, and perhaps most importantly,
providing the skills of an experienced mentor to help communities
navigate the intricacies of applications for grants and low interest
project financing.
Map Revolving Loan Fund
Lacking access to pre-development, construction, and capital financing remain primary obstacles for your small community? To help with this problem, the Midwest Assistance Program is providing low-cost, short and intermediate term loans for community water and wastewater projects through its Revolving Loan Fund.
Training
Midwest Assistance Program not
only provides training hand-in-hand with technical assistance to small communities, but
also in classroom settings. The training is directed to the leadership of the small
communities we serve. Our goal is to facilitate improvements in water, wastewater,
solid waste management and community development to improve the health, welfare and
well-being of residents in small communities in the nine Midwestern states
served (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming).
For more information, contact a MAP Training Director.
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Technical Assistance
Water and wastewater related technical assistance covers two broad categories:
development and support. Development assistance helps communities and tribes obtain or
expand water or wastewater facilities. It includes needs assessments, income surveys,
dealing with engineers, financial packaging, application preparation, construction
supervision, and other kinds of "front-end" work necessary to put
facilities into place. Support assistance helps communities manage, operate, and maintain
facilities already in place. It may include operator training, improving
financial management systems, setting rates, or other items to help systems work more
effectively.
MAP assists communities with virtually every aspect of water or wastewater
system development - from construction funds to tap-fees, from selecting engineers to
reviewing plans, from community organizing to management training.
In the solid waste management
arena, MAP helps tribes and communities understand solid waste issues and
implement strategies for managing these byproducts of living and modern
society. MAP
helps communities join together where each may be too small to successfully
implement waste management, and helps tribes and communities develop landfill practices that comply with regulations.
MAP helps communities reduce their waste by initiating recycling and implementing pricing strategies for waste disposal.
MAP helps communities initiate
programs to separate hazardous wastes for the special handling they require, such as
collecting engine oils to keep them from being dumped where
they could contaminate groundwater, or keeping tires from becoming breeding habitat for mosquitoes or other pests.
Field-based staff tailor on-site technical assistance to each community.
Using a capacity building approach, skills are transferred to community leaders. MAP
professionals work with community leaders, building their capacity to address local
problems and generate feasible solutions. Community leaders develop the skills to respond
to community problems themselves rather than having MAP solve the problem for them. This
way, the community is able to make sound management strategies for dealing with present
problems and may be able to prevent future ones.
Most technical assistance services to small communities are provided free of charge.
Contact a MAP Rural Development Specialist in your state.
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