Summary | Team | Federal Role | Current Environment | New Corps Approach | Process | Case Histories

“Business-as-usual” in the federal appropriations and project funding process has shifted radically.  And, while many government affairs consultants have been confounded by these upheavals, Carmen Group’s experience and core competencies have allowed us to continue, and excel in, delivering success for our clients and their projects.

Project Funding

The last decade saw the rise and proliferation of funding projects through specific congressional directed appropriations, or earmarks, therefore much of the work of funding and approving projects shifted to the Congress.  However, Congress and the Administration have pledged to abandon earmarks, at least for now.  This shifts the playing field of project funding back to the federal agencies and departments, and puts a premium on the type of work Carmen Group has always done and in which we specialize.

The Carmen Group is perfectly positioned to do very well for its clients in securing funds in a no-earmark arena because of its deep agency connections.  We showed it in ARRA (The 2009 Stimulus Bill) by securing the single largest funding for a Corps project, $100 million for the Napa River Project.  We are taking this expertise and applying it across the board for all our clients deep within the agencies who are now making funding decisions.  We have a proven process for success in a no-earmark era and are using it to great benefit for our clients.

Carmen Group has more than 25 years experience and know-how working with clients to fashion projects that can win federal government funding.  We then work tirelessly within the federal agencies to see those projects through the approval and funding process by working with the agencies and local offices to identify capability for our projects and moving these requests through the approval process.  We know how to make the bureaucracy work, and how to deliver results for our clients.

Similarly, the tightening federal budget puts a premium on Carmen Group’s expertise.  With budgets being cut at virtually every federal department and agency, only projects that have been carefully planned and can show the greatest benefit will be funded.  And, Carmen Group has years of experience and success advising clients on how best to fashion their projects to achieve maximum federal support, and then working with officials to promote our client’s projects through the federal process.

Policy

We’ve seen nearly unprecedented changes in Washington in recent years.  The 2006, 2008, and 2010 elections each have brought a succession of new majorities, new leadership, new players, and of course a new Administration.  Carmen Group’s core commitment to our bi-partisan proven process allows us to stay ahead of these events and continue delivering results for our clients, regardless of which party is in power.

Whether it is advocating for Corps of Engineers project funding or drafting and supporting competitive grant applications, our team has a track record of effectively advocating for our clients, public and private alike.

We educate key decision makes on issues and build support through grassroots advocacy, coalitions, and creative and aggressive project management.  Our team has years of experience forming effective legislative strategy to achieve specific goals, and then efficiently executing the strategy to pass important legislative initiatives.

We invite you to review our case histories for specific successes.