OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — Applications are being accepted for the Northwest Commission’s Greenways Block Grant Program’s second round of funding for 2016-17.

The program leverages grant funds through the partnership of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection.

This method of incorporating cooperative consideration and funding by the public agencies of joint projects will implement the Northwest PA Greenways Plan and meet DCNR and DEP’s statewide and regional goals and priorities.

This round of funding will only consider DEP qualified projects.

Eligible applicants for DEP funding through the grant program consist of all county or municipal governments, conservation districts, incorporated watershed associations, Councils of Governments, 501C3 tax exempt corporations, educational institutions, municipal authorities, and conservancies within the northwest Pennsylvania Greenways Region of Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties.

Grants requests must not exceed $40,000 and require a 10% percent match.

Applications must be signed and received at the Northwest Commission office in Oil City by 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 22, either by electronic or hard copy, to be considered.

To learn more about the Greenways Block Grant Program, please visit: northwestpa.org/greenways-block-grant-program/).

For specific questions, applicants can contact Sue Smith at sues@northwestpa.org or by phone at 814.677.4800 x131.