Grant Writing Interview with Hattie Zobott, Ardurra

Discover the various federal, state, and private funding opportunities available in your area, learn about the intricacies of the grant application process, and understand how our experts can guide you every step of the way. This interview covers project stakeholders, timelines, funding amounts, and paperwork requirements. Take advantage of this invaluable session that can pave the way for the success of your upcoming water projects.

Key Point Summary

  • Before you Begin

    It is advisable to secure funding before commencing construction on any project(s). Early engagement with funding representatives is essential to increasing the likelihood of funding.

  • Introduction to Funding

    Navigating funding can be daunting, and successfully completing a project from inception to completion requires careful planning. Initiating the funding process as early as possible is crucial to allow for approval and comprehensive planning.

  • Initial Steps

    Begin by reaching out to funding representatives such as Hattie or Bob to discuss the project at a conceptual level. They can provide valuable insights into typical costs and initial requirements, facilitating the planning process.

  • Building Support

    Securing approval from various boards and stakeholders is a time-consuming process. Starting early ensures that this crucial step can proceed smoothly without unnecessary delays.

  • Competitive Funding

    Early application is key for competitive funding, ensuring consideration before the allocated funding is depleted.

  • Benefits of Multiple Applications

    This approach increases the chances of securing funding and proves more cost-effective in the long run. Clients should adopt a persistent mindset and view the process as iterative rather than a one-time application.

Meet Hattie Zobott

Hattie Zobott is the Northwest Water Resource Group Lead for Ardurra. Raised on a small cattle farm in Buell, Idaho, she learned hydraulics firsthand by irrigating pastures with a shovel. Her father's mantra, "water always flows downhill," guides her as she modernizes water systems.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Hattie discovered her niche in hydraulic and water resources engineering.

Throughout her career, she has been involved in designing various water-related infrastructure, including irrigation pipelines, groundwater recharge facilities, water measurement devices, fish passages, and drinking water and irrigation supply pipelines. Her expertise extends to hydraulic modeling, encompassing scale models, as well as 1D and 2D models for bridge and floodplain development.

Ardurra Services & Overview

Ardurra Group is a full-service engineering firm specializing in various infrastructure sectors such as aviation, transportation, public works, and water/wastewater. Recognized as one of Engineering News-Record's Top 500 firms, offers consulting and engineering services nationwide.

Ardurra’s services provide design, funding, and full project support from conception to completion including the following:

  1. Developing planning documents i.e master plans and system optimization reviews

  2. Surveying

  3. Water conveyance design

  4. Diversion structure design

  5. Construction observation

  6. Contract management

  7. Federal grant administration and reporting

  8. Contracting support

  9. Environmental and permitting assistance

Grant Application Process

  • Phase One

    Arrange an initial phone or Zoom meeting with Hattie Zobott to discuss the overview of your project(s) and funding alignment.

  • Phase Two

    Hattie will formulate a funding strategy by considering various federal and state funding sources that align with your upcoming projects.

  • Phase Three

    Hattie will discuss a detailed scope of work and cost estimates to the project managers, facilitating discussions on collaborating with Ardurra's comprehensive engineering team to guarantee a smooth transition from project initiation to completion.

  • Phase Four

    During the process, prioritize seeking planning or conceptual engineering funding if required.

  • Phase Five

    Conduct preliminary engineering reports. According to the USDA, “The Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) is an essential part of the application process required to access funding for water and waste infrastructure from federal and state funding sources.”

  • Phase Six

    Submit the project’s comprehensive infrastructure project applications to the state and federal agencies.

Additional Information

Key Elements for Application Development

Data Collection

  • Gathering headgate measurements, water shares, ditch measurements, and anecdotal loss information.

Water Loss & Efficiency Analysis

  • Assessing losses to estimate potential efficiency improvements.

  • Projects achieving a 10% efficiency increase receive higher scores.

Delivery Efficiency

  • Evaluating delivery to each user to mitigate potential over-delivery.

Regional Water Demands & Balances

  • Accounting for other users and purposes, such as aquifer recharge, to ensure balanced resource allocation.

Engineering Evaluation

  • Assessing the magnitude of losses to recommend project improvements.

  • Balancing efficiency enhancements with other impacts on water resources.

Contact Hattie Zobott now and empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate the funding landscape confidently!

Contact Hattie Zobott

Contact Bob Annalora

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • Funding opportunities are available year-round from various agencies such as the USDA, RCS, Bureau of Reclamation, and DEQ. The timelines for these opportunities vary annually, depending on past funding cycles and review processes. It is advisable to consult with grant writers to discern forthcoming versus future funding opportunities.

  • Yes, submitting to multiple agencies involves preparing and customizing a single application to suit multiple pertinent opportunities. By targeting different elements within each funding opportunity at the various agencies, applicants can optimize their chances of scoring higher.

  • At present, the timeline from submittal to decision typically ranges from 3 to 6 months, though it may extend up to a year in certain cases. To increase the likelihood of success, it is advisable to avoid submitting identical applications year after year.

  • Determining Funding Amounts involves adhering to the criteria and rubric provided by each agency to ascertain the appropriate funding levels. The allocation of funding percentages is determined through the selection process.

  • Matching Fund Requirements typically entail a 50% matching contribution, although certain opportunities may require a higher match. For example, the NRCS offers up to 100% funding for flood projects and up to 75% for agricultural projects.

  • Hattie primarily operates within Idaho but is equipped to collaborate with neighboring states to facilitate the procurement of state and federal funding. Ardurra maintains teams in California and Nevada, extending its expertise and support across the Western United States region.