State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program - First Round of Funding

Under the new State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, the $1 billion funding stream established by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help state and local governments strengthen cybersecurity protection. The grant program will provide $185 million to states by the end of this year, 80% of which must be redistributed to local governments within 45 days.


Center for Digital Government funding expert Joe Morris offers this advice for special districts hoping to take advantage of these funds:

• Stay in contact with your state’s CIO and CISO. They will lead efforts to distribute funding to local jurisdictions.

• Understand the makeup of your state’s cybersecurity committee and monitor its actions. States must establish these committees, comprising state and local government representatives, to help guide funding distribution.

• Prioritize your cybersecurity planning around key areas outlined in the grant program. This factsheet has more information.

• Budget for matching funds. Agencies receiving cybersecurity grant funds must pay a 10% funding match.


See More Great Ideas

Last month, we released our 2022 Technology Innovation Award Winners — 10 districts that exemplify innovation in citizen service, internal operations and leadership, plus one overall district of the year. In all, we received more than 40 award nominations for this year’s program, all of which are now posted in our online National Innovation Showcase. Stop by to see how districts are using mobile technology to connect with residents, leveraging smart signal technology to improve transit, upgrading legacy radios at pump stations and much more.


Thanks to Our Board

As 2022 draws to a close, we’d like to thank members of the Special Districts National Advisory Board for their input and engagement throughout the year. The 14-member board — representing water and power utilities, libraries, ports, housing districts, parks and transportation systems from across the nation — is instrumental in guiding the activities and events of the Special Districts Program. If you’re interesting in joining the board for 2023, contact program director Omar Sandoval for more details.


District Spotlight: Airports Become Tech Testbeds

Airports are using emerging technologies to improve experience for customers and employees — and automation is taking center stage. For example, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) has implemented everything from IoT sensors to autonomous luggage-transporting vehicles and food delivery robots.

The deployments help the airport’s workforce understand the value of automation and can serve as a magnet for new employees, says Naashom Marx, CVG’s director of strategic innovation. “This is not just playing with toys,” he says. “It’s a recruitment tool. It’s a retention tool — not only for CVG, but also the region.”

Read the story.