From infrastructure to beautification, utility grants build a stronger, smarter Eagar
With the help of the Joint Utility Grant Funding Program — a collaborative effort by Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power, providing more than $150,000 in utility-backed support — Eagar has launched projects that are saving water, expanding public safety, enhancing Main Street and strengthening its long-term development prospects.
The grant program was created to support communities affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants, especially those within 75 miles of the affected sites, and from the outset, Eagar stood out.
Anita Tarango, manager of community engagement at SRP, explained that although the utility companies didn’t initially connect directly with Eagar, “they showed up to every meeting, brought viable projects to the table, and aligned perfectly with our funding pillars: broadband, transportation, education and workforce development, and housing.”
Saving thousands of gallons and person-hours
One notable project is Eagar’s water meter replacement initiative. With a $1.3 million grant from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority, Eagar needed matching funds, and the utility grant helped close the gap, permitting a complete overhaul of the town’s outdated water meters to a modern, automated reading system.
According to community development director Britney Reynolds, the new meters are already making a measurable difference. She estimates the system is saving about 2,000 gallons of water per hour.
“Leaks that would’ve gone unnoticed for a month are now found and fixed in a day,” she said.
The meters also support long-term water conservation goals and public safety efforts. During the recent wildfire season, utility crews were able to monitor and manage water usage in real time, identifying waste or suspicious usage and ensuring water was preserved for emergency response.
The project has also freed up roughly 12 weeks’ worth of public works labor each year, allowing crews to focus on other improvements.
Training for tomorrow’s emergencies
Another use of grant funding is revitalizing Round Valley’s fire and emergency medical services. What began as a two-person, fire-only department has grown into a multi-functional crew with full-time staff and a growing volunteer force. Thanks to this funding, more than a half dozen firefighters were certified through Firefighter I and II courses, IV-certified EMTs have been trained, and there is now an in-house instructor to provide certification programs at a fraction of the normal cost.
“These trainings have already paid off,” said Brannon Eagar, town manager. He pointed to the recent Greer fire, where Eagar’s newly trained team was ready, equipped and effective in their response.
The town is also building the a new firehouse and EMT facility that supports their growing needs.
“We’ve been able to expand and better our fire and medical department,” Reynolds said. “And now, we’re building a new fire medical building so we can house them properly and continue to grow.”
The effort aligns with the workforce development goal of the grant program. In addition to improving public safety, the town has made steps toward offering regional training that supports neighboring departments and attracts qualified job candidates.
Beautification, tourism and the power of presence
While federal and state grants often overlook aesthetics, SRP awarded Eagar an additional $15,000 for beautification efforts. These funds are being used to improve signage, landscape features and lighting in the town’s commercial core.
One of the most visible upgrades is the installation of new energy-efficient street lighting along Main Street. The sleek black poles not only brighten pedestrian walkways and increase safety after dark but also contribute to a more polished and welcoming look for downtown Eagar.
“People drive through and instantly form an impression,” Reynolds said. “Curb appeal matters. It helps attract visitors and businesses and shows that we care about where we live.”
Tourism development is a long-term goal for Eagar, and projects like these, paired with recreational infrastructure such as the improvements made to Cowpuncher Pond, have helped build momentum. The pond, now home to local fishing tournaments and a popular destination for families, received grant-backed upgrades to restrooms, trails and amenities.
Town manager Brannon Eagar shared a personal moment that illustrates the effect: he recalled seeing two kids dragging a plastic tote filled with fishing gear while passing through the new Circle K.
“They fish, they walk home, they feel safe and connected to this community,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
The value of partnership
“Being at the table matters,” Reynolds said. “We’ve learned what these utilities can fund and how to align our projects with those pillars. That’s opened more doors than we ever expected.”
The town of Eagar has been consistently present at the Coal Community Transition meetings, a bimonthly forum where APS, SRP and TEP listen to local needs and help communities align projects with funding criteria. By developing clear proposals that hit multiple pillars like combining workforce training, infrastructure upgrades and community development in one plan, Eagar improved its chances for repeated success.
Grant writing is no easy task. Reynolds estimates the WIFA application alone took more than 200 hours. Thanks to the grant-funded support of Haley Nicoll at 26Bar Consulting, Eagar has submitted more than 40 grant applications in recent years, many of them successful.
“There was no grand strategy,” Reynolds said. “Just a push to find every dollar we could to help this town thrive.”
As Arizona continues to transition from coal-based energy, Eagar’s experience offers a blueprint for other towns. With one final round of funding available through the program, SRP and its partners hope other municipalities will follow Eagar’s lead.
“This is about long-term partnership and reinvestment,” Tarango said. “Eagar has shown what’s possible when you engage, collaborate and work toward a shared vision.”
Reynolds summed it up. “We all live here, we work here, our kids go to school here. We want the best for our families and our neighbors. That’s what drives us every day.”