Orleans County and Brockport FD among past recipients
The Department of State’s Local Government Efficiency Grant (LGEG) program is again available to municipalities with innovative ideas for supporting a more affordable New York. Applicants may apply for funding to streamline government operations and services which reduce current or future costs, resulting in savings for local property taxpayers. The $8 million initiative incentivizes two or more local governments to team up to apply to plan for or implement shared services, consolidations, and dissolutions.
Orleans County recently used this program to fund an EMS study aimed at improving emergency response and lowering long-term taxpayer costs, while the Brockport Fire District secured nearly $500,000 for a regional bunk-in program that boosts firefighter staffing through SUNY Brockport. With this year’s expanded funding round prioritizing emergency services, water infrastructure, cybersecurity and projects that build on previous awards, both Orleans County and Brockport are well-positioned to pursue additional grants that modernize operations and deliver more affordable, efficient services to residents.
“For years, the Local Government Efficiency Grant has been a lifeline for localities in need of vital state funding,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley. “With the return of this program, communities across Western New York will now be able to save money by sharing services, consolidating operations and improving functions like emergency response and water systems while, at the same time, lowering the tax burden for residents.”
The LGEG Request for Applications (RFA) and additional information may be found on the DOS website at https://dos.ny.gov/2025-2026-local-government-efficiency-grant-program. RFAs must be submitted by Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Eligible Local Government entities are counties, cities, towns, villages, special improvement districts, fire districts, public libraries, association libraries, public library systems (if they advance a joint application on behalf of member libraries), water authorities, sewer authorities, regional planning and development boards, school districts, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
Applications are evaluated based on the potential return on investment (ROI), project need, service delivery benefits, operational changes, local and regional capacity, project readiness (ability to complete the project in five years) and the comprehensiveness and specificity of the work plan and budget.
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