Showing posts with label economic development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economic development. Show all posts

Friday, June 25, 2010

EDA Deadline Reminder, June 30

Note: This program is especially applicable if you are seeking infrastructure funding related to economic development or job creation (industrial parks, etc).

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting applications for the EDA American Recovery Program under the auspices of PWEDA. Specifically, the FFO pertains to applications for funding under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs only. Under this FFO, EDA will give priority consideration to those applications that will significantly benefit regions “that have experienced sudden and severe economic dislocation and job loss due to corporate restructuring,” as stipulated under the Recovery Act. EDA provides financial assistance to distressed communities in both urban and rural regions. Such distress may exist in a variety of forms, including high levels of unemployment, low income levels, large concentrations of low-income families, significant declines in per capita income, large numbers (or high rates) of business failures, sudden major layoffs or plant closures, trade impacts, military base closures, natural or other major disasters, depletion of natural resources, reduced tax bases, or substantial loss of population because of the lack of employment opportunities.

EDA’s experience has shown that regional economic development to help alleviate these conditions is effected primarily through investments and decisions made by the private sector. Under the EDA American Recovery Program, EDA will help restore, replace and expand economic activity in regions that have experienced sudden and severe economic dislocation and job loss due to corporate restructuring, and prioritize projects that will diversify the economic base and lead to a stronger, more globally competitive and resilient regional economy. EDA’s economic development activities help create jobs by encouraging business inception and growth.

Deadline: Jun 30, 2010
Funds are available for obligation until September 30, 2010; however, it takes a minimum of 90 days from EDA's receipt of a complete application until award, when funds are obligated.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes
Grants are generally 50%, however, exceptionally distressed areas may apply for up to 30% more. In-kind contributions are acceptable towards match.

Eligible Applicants:
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)


Additional Information on Eligibility:

PLEASE NOTE: For-profit, private-sector entities and individuals do not qualify for investment assistance under the Public Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, which are the applicable programs under this announcement. Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq.)(PWEDA), eligible applicants for and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include a(n): (i) District Organization; (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) State, a city or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or (v) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3. Projects eligible for Public Works or Economic Adjustment investment assistance include those projects located in regions meeting “Special Need” criteria (as defined in 13 C.F.R. § 300.3), as set forth in section VII. of this announcement.

Contact us for more information!

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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Rural Business Opportunity Grants, Pre-Review Deadline April 28

Rural Development has an active Notice of Funding Availability for Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG). Grant funds may be used to assist in the economic development of rural areas by providing technical assistance for business development and economic development planning.

Eligible applicants: Local, State, or Federal government entities; nonprofit corporations; tribal entities; and cooperatives with members who are primarily rural residents and that conduct activities for the mutual benefit of the members.

Funding amounts: $7,480,000 total funds are allotted to this program in 2010, with a maximum of $250,000 available for each entity. No match required!

One-step process: Funding decisions are made on the basis of one round of applications, although Rural Development does offer a pre-review of applications if received by April 28.

Project examples: Grant funds may be used for, but are not limited to, the following purposes:

  • Identify and analyze business opportunities that will use local rural materials or human resources. This includes opportunities in export markets, as well as feasibility and business plan studies.
  • Identify, train, and provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers;
  • Establish business support centers and otherwise assist in the creation of new rural businesses;
  • Conduct local community or multi-county economic development planning;
  • Establish centers for training, technology, and trade that will provide training to rural businesses in the utilization of interactive communications technologies to develop international trade opportunities and markets;
  • Conduct leadership development training of existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers; or
  • Pay reasonable fees and charges for professional services necessary to conduct the technical assistance, training, or planning functions.

Priorities:
Projects should be designed to help rural communities in the region create wealth so they are self-sustaining, repopulating and thriving economically, especially using any of the following USDA key strategies in sustainable ways:

  1. Local and regional food systems as a strategy for encouraging production agriculture and related industries in new wealth creation;
  2. Renewable energy generation, energy conservation, and/or climate change adaptation or mitigation as strategies for quality job creation;
  3. Use of broadband and other critical infrastructure as a strategy to facilitate local entrepreneurship and expansion of market opportunities for small businesses;
  4. Access to capital in rural areas as a strategy to ensure continuous business development and job creation/retention; and
  5. Innovative utilization of natural resources as a strategy to expand business opportunities.

Key dates:
April 28, 2010: Optional pre-review deadline.
June 28, 2010: Final application due date.
September 15, 2010: Anticipated award date.


Contact us for more information!

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Economic Development (EDA) Grants - Application Reminder

Under this federal funding opportunity (FFO) announcement, EDA is soliciting applications for the EDA American Recovery Program under the auspices of PWEDA. Specifically, the FFO pertains to applications for funding under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs only. Under this FFO, EDA will give priority consideration to those applications that will significantly benefit regions “that have experienced sudden and severe economic dislocation and job loss due to corporate restructuring,” as stipulated under the Recovery Act. EDA provides financial assistance to distressed communities in both urban and rural regions. Such distress may exist in a variety of forms, including high levels of unemployment, low income levels, large concentrations of low-income families, significant declines in per capita income, large numbers (or high rates) of business failures, sudden major layoffs or plant closures, trade impacts, military base closures, natural or other major disasters, depletion of natural resources, reduced tax bases, or substantial loss of population because of the lack of employment opportunities. EDA’s experience has shown that regional economic development to help alleviate these conditions is effected primarily through investments and decisions made by the private sector. Under the EDA American Recovery Program, EDA will help restore, replace and expand economic activity in regions that have experienced sudden and severe economic dislocation and job loss due to corporate restructuring, and prioritize projects that will diversify the economic base and lead to a stronger, more globally competitive and resilient regional economy. EDA’s economic development activities help create jobs by encouraging business inception and growth.

Eligible Applicants
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility:
PLEASE NOTE: For-profit, private-sector entities and individuals do not qualify for investment assistance under the Public Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, which are the applicable programs under this announcement. Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq.)(PWEDA), eligible applicants for and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include a(n): (i) District Organization; (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) State, a city or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or (v) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3. Projects eligible for Public Works or Economic Adjustment investment assistance include those projects located in regions meeting “Special Need” criteria (as defined in 13 C.F.R. § 300.3), as set forth in section VII. of this announcement.

Agency Name
Economic Development Administration

Current Closing Date for Applications:
Jun 30, 2010
Funds are available for obligation until September 30, 2010; however, it takes a minimum of 90 days from EDA's receipt of a complete application until award, when funds are obligated. Buzz this

Friday, January 29, 2010

Recovery Zone Bonds

The Recovery Bond allocation was split between two types of bonds: Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZEDB) and Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFB). Michigan received authorization for approximately $773 million of RZEDB, out of a national allocation of $10 billion. We have also received approximately $1.16 billion of RZFB volume allocation from a national allocation of $15 billion.

RZEDBs are to be issued as taxable Build America Bonds, eligible for a 45% interest subsidy paid to the issuer. Economic development bonds are intended to allow state and local governments to finance projects such as infrastructure improvements and job-training programs.

RZFBs are private activity bonds issued on behalf of private companies. These bonds are similar to Private Activity Bonds, but have more flexibility. RZFBs allow tax-exempt financing for projects which historically would not qualify either due to type or size of project (large manufacturing plants, distribution centers, hotels, research parks, etc.). Tourism and redevelopment of Brownfields are two major areas that might be targeted for this financing.
It should be noted that this allocation authorizes the issuance of reduced interest rate bonds, it does not provide guarantees. Bonds must be marketable, meaning that an identified and secure source of repayment must be identified.

A presentation on this program is available online: http://mediasite.mihealth.org/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=a220a72d6a8e4cd693cc1fa74ca8a73a


Contact us for a list of allocations by county for the State of Michigan.

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Economic Development Grants

Under this announcement, EDA is seeking applications for the following programs under PWEDA: (i) Public Works; (ii) Planning; (iii) Local Technical Assistance; and (iv) Economic Adjustment Assistance. EDA will provide Public Works investments to support the construction or rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and facilities necessary to generate or retain private sector jobs and investments, attract private sector capital, and promote regional competitiveness, including investments that expand and upgrade infrastructure to attract new industry, support technology-led development, accelerate new business development, and enhance the ability of regions to capitalize on opportunities presented by free trade. The Planning Program helps support planning organizations, including District Organizations and Indian Tribes, in the development, implementation, revision or replacement of comprehensive economic development strategies (CEDS), and for related short-term planning investments and State plans designed to create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the nation’s most economically distressed regions. The Local Technical Assistance Program helps fill the knowledge and information gaps that may prevent leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors in economically distressed regions from making optimal decisions on local economic development issues. The Economic Adjustment Assistance Program provides a wide range of technical, planning and infrastructure assistance in regions experiencing adverse economic changes that may occur suddenly or over time. This program is designed to respond flexibly to pressing economic recovery issues and is well suited to help address challenges faced by U.S. communities and regions.

Eligible applicants include:
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Others

Contact your GFA client rep for more information!

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