To promote long-term economic development and assist in
the construction of public works infrastructure and economic development
facilities needed to support the creation or retention of high-skill, high
wage private-sector jobs in areas experiencing substantial economic distress.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Investments in facilities such as water and sewer system improvements,
industrial access roads, industrial and business parks, port facilities,
railroad sidings, distance learning facilities, skill-training facilities,
business incubator facilities, redevelopment of brownfields, eco-industrial
facilities, and telecommunications infrastructure improvements needed for
business retention and expansion. Eligible activities include the acquisition,
rehabilitation, design and engineering, or improvement of public land or
publicly-owned and operated development facilities, including machinery and
equipment. Projects may also include infrastructure for broadband deployment
and other types of telecommunications-enabling projects and other kinds of
technology infrastructure. Eligible projects must fulfill a pressing need of
the area and must: 1) improve the opportunities for the successful
establishment or expansion of industrial or commercial plants or facilities;
2) assist in the creation of additional long-term employment opportunities; or
3) benefit the unemployed/underemployed residents of the area or members of
low-income families. In addition, all proposed investments must be consistent
with the currently approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for
the area in which the project will be located, and the applicant must have the
required local share of funds committed and available. Also, the project must
be capable of being started and completed in a timely manner.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: States, cities, counties, an
institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher
education, and other political subdivisions, Indian tribes, the Federated
States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Commonwealths and
territories of the U.S. flag, Economic Development Districts, and private or
public nonprofit organizations or associations acting in cooperation with
officials of a Political Subdivision of a State or Indian Tribe. Individuals,
companies, corporations, and associations organized for profit are not
eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Private firms and
unemployed and underemployed persons and/or members of low-income families are
the primary beneficiaries of EDA's investments.
Credentials/Documentation: Applications must
describe the type of facility proposed, estimated costs, purpose of proposed
project, permanent private sector job impact (estimated payrolls, estimated
private investment), estimated time for construction implementation and
completion, and assurances that the project will satisfy EDA's statutory
requirements. Most important, documentation must demonstrate how the project
will satisfy a pressing need of the area and have a positive impact on the
economic development of the community.
Pre-application Coordination: The Economic
Development Representative (EDR) or other appropriate EDA official will meet
with the applicant and community leaders to explore the applicability of the
proposed project. If deemed appropriate, a proposal will be requested. After
reviewing the proposal, the EDR and/or the regional office will notify the
applicant regarding the decision to invite, or not invite an application. If
the project appears viable, a pre-application conference with regional office
personnel may be arranged at EDA's discretion. If EDA invites a formal
application, the OMB-approved application form furnished by EDA must be used.
An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. The review of
the environmental impact assessment may result in an environmental impact
statement being required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant
should consult the office or official designated as the Single Point of
Contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State
requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected
the program for review.
Application Procedure: Applicants should contact
the EDR servicing the state in which the project is located or other
designated EDA official. The economic development representative or other
appropriate EDA official assigned as coordinator for the project will provide
necessary forms and assistance to interested applicants.
Award Procedure: Applications are invited and
approved by the Regional Director and announced by the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Economic Development.
Deadlines: Generally, the applicants are given 30
days after their applications have been invited to submit the formal
application.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Normally
within 60 days of acceptance by EDA of a fully completed application.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: None.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: The basic grant
rate may be up to 50 percent of the project cost. Severely depressed areas may
receive supplementary grants to bring the Federal contribution up to 80
percent of the project cost; recognized Indian tribes may be eligible for up
to 100 percent assistance. Additionally, eligible areas located within and
actively participating in the operations of Economic Development Districts
are, subject to the 80 percent maximum Federal grant limit, eligible for a 10
percent bonus on grants for public works projects. On average, EDA's
investment covers approximately 50 percent of project costs.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: EDA funds,
which are disbursed for costs incurred, are generally not disbursed until
after all contracts for construction have been awarded. Supports the long-
range economic development of areas with severe unemployment and low family
income problems; supports the development of public works infrastructure and
development facilities and private enterprise to help create new, permanent
jobs.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Standard financial and performance reports
are required, and special reports for specific projects may be requested.
Compliance: Applicable statutes include the Architectural Barriers Act, Civil
Rights Act, Davis Bacon Act, the Water Pollution Control Act, other applicable
Acts.
Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB
Circular No. A- 133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), recipients that are States,
Local Governments, Non-profit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and
Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements
contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507).
States, local governments, and non-profit governments that expend $300,000 or
more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program-specific audit
conducted for that year.
Records: All financial and programmatic records,
supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or
sub grantees are required to be maintained by the terms of the agreement. The
grantee must retain records for 3 years from the date when the final
expenditure report is submitted.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 13-2050-0-1-452.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $285,286,000; FY 02
est $250,775,000; and FY 03 est $232,100,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: No
statutory minimum or maximum amount; average investment in FY 2001 was
$1,010,844.
In fiscal year 2001, 283 Public Works investments were approved.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Title 13 CFR Chapter III, Part 302, 305, 316, 314 and 317; Annual Report;
Economic Development Administration Civil Rights Guidelines. Department of
Commerce Organization Order 10-4, as amended (40 FR 56702, as amended).
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Refer to Appendix IV of
the Catalog for EDA Regional Office addresses.
Headquarters Office: David L. McIlwain, Director,
Public Works Division, Economic Development Administration, Room H7326,
Herbert C. Hoover Building, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
Telephone: (202) 482-5265.
Web Site Address: http://www.doc.gov/eda/
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
1) Infrastructure for industrial park development; 2)
port development and expansion; 3) infrastructure necessary for economic
development (e.g. water/sewer facilities); 4) renovation and recycling of old
industrial buildings; 5) construction of vocational-technical facilities and
skill centers; 6) construction of incubator facilities; 7) redevelopment of
brownfields and 8) Eco- industrial development.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Project proposals must be located within an economically
distressed EDA eligible area and be in conformance with a Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the eligible area. Projects must also
contribute to long-term economic development of the area by creating or
retaining permanent jobs and raising income levels. In FY-2002, EDA will give
priority consideration to projects that assist the nation's most economically
distressed areas, such as (1) areas with persistently high rates of poverty,
(2) previously unserved distressed areas and applicants, (3) involve
innovative partnerships and private investment leveraging, (4) support
sub-state regional networks and collaborations, and (5) areas undergoing
significant economic downturns and dislocations. Conformance with the Federal
Register announcement and other EDA and/or Federal program requirements such
as NEPA, Civil Rights, and Historic Preservation is part of the selection
criteria.
