The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications through several of its grant programs to promote economic development in local communities.
EDA has a new 2-step process for submitting projects designed to make applying for funding less burdensome to potential applicants. In the new process, applicants may initially submit a Proposal, and if successful, submit a full Application. Proposals may be submitted to EDA at any time to receive feedback on preliminary project concept and eligibility before submitting a full Application. Importantly, all Applications are competitively evaluated and EDA receives far more applications than it may fund; submission of a full Application is not a guarantee of funding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NC State Economic Development Representative, Hillary Sherman at hsherman@eda.gov or 404.730.3013 to discuss the project concept and receive assistance in Proposal/Application development.
Applications for EDA assistance must align with at least one of the agency’s investment priorities, as outlined at: www.eda.gov/about/investment-priorities.htm.  Projects that support trade and resiliency are key priorities for FY 2016.  For EDA, this is defined as projects where the beneficiary will export or where the company or parent company are owned by a foreign entity.  Where applicants are aware of such situations they should take particular care to notify the NC EDR during project/application development to ensure that this information is clearly understood by EDA.

Key Factors to Consider Before Applying

Applicants for EDA assistance should carefully read the applicable Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) and should keep in mind the following factors when considering and developing a Proposal or Application:

• No portion of the EDA Scope of Work (SoW) (defined as the project funded from the EDA funds plus the Matching Share funds) may proceed until a formal award is provided.  This means no RFP may be released or bids may be awarded that will be part of the project.  Proceeding on any portion of the SoW prior to the award can jeopardize EDA’s ability to make an award.
• Recipients (or co-recipients) must own, operate, and maintain the facility or property that will be improved through the EDA investment for the entire useful life, which is generally defined as 20 years.
• Generally, EDA does not reimburse for pre-award costs.
• Construction projects generally require cash match.  Such projects, if awarded, receive payments in the form of reimbursement from EDA after key project milestones have been met in accord with guidance provided by EDA.  Non-construction projects may meet Matching Share requirements by both cash and in-kind, provided that the in-kind amount is fairly value, directly linked to the project, and meets all Federal cost principle requirements.
• EDA policy prohibits the Agency from making an investment in any project that will be used to support the relocation of jobs from one U.S. jurisdiction to another.  This does not prevent a company from expanding and opening a new facility in North Carolina, but applications to help a company move from one state to North Carolina would be impermissible.
• All projects for construction assistance (including design and engineering) and non-construction projects that will lead to earth-moving activities will be required to provide documentation of consultations with relevant parties (SHPO,THPO, FWS, etc.) if and only if EDA provides a Further Consideration letter.  Applicants are not required to begin consultation prior to submitting an application, but should be prepared to do so should EDA indicate its intent to make an award.
• Applicants to EDA grant programs, if awarded, must adhere to all applicable Federal, State, and local laws.
• All Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to receive a Federal grant award.
• Projects where there is local controversy are difficult for EDA to invest in even if the project may seem otherwise aligned with EDA funding priorities and meritorious.

Accessing and Submitting the EDA grant applications

EDA accepts applications on a rolling basis.  EDA accepts applications electronically through Grants.gov and via paper in the Regional Office.  To access the application package and submit an application, please go to:  www.grants.gov/view-opportunity.html?oppId=189193.

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs

EDA invites applications that align with the objectives and requirements of any the Public Works (PW) and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Programs. The Public Works program provides funding to support design, construction, or renovation of critical public infrastructure needed to create or retain jobs in a locality. The Economic Adjustment Assistance Program provides resources for design, construction and renovation as well as technical assistance to support long-term job creation/retention in circumstances where localities have experienced sudden and severe economic events.
These programs are designed to provide resources to help communities access needed public infrastructure (e.g., water, sewer, access roads, incubators, workforce training centers) that will enable committed private beneficiaries to create or retain jobs. To be eligible for EDA assistance through these programs, applications must be from an eligible applicant, be in a eligible region, and support eligible activities.
Eligible applicants for projects funded through the PW and EAA programs include: District Organizations; Indian Tribes; State, county, city, or other political subdivisions of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities; institutions of higher education; or a public or private non-profit organization acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision.
Applications submitted under the PW or EAA programs must meet EDA’s distress criteria, which requires the user-defined region to either have: an unemployment rate that is at least one point or higher than the national average for the most recent 24-month period for which data is available, OR have a per-capita income that is not greater than 80 percent for the most recent period for which data is available, OR meet other EDA Special Need criteria, as defined in the applicable federal funding notice (FFO), including: outmigration/population loss, and closure or restructuring of a major employer resulting in substantial job loss.
Competitive projects will build upon the assets and advance the priorities articulated in the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), have committed beneficiaries that will create/retain jobs as a result of the EDA investment, demonstrate that requisite matching share funds (generally 50 percent) are available and committed to the project, and have strong local and regional support and potential to drive the economic development goals of the region forward.
In 2016, projects that promote global competitiveness (as defined by projects where the beneficiary will export or will be investing foreign direct investment), workforce development, or resiliency are especially encouraged.

Technical Assistance and Short-Term Planning Programs

EDA invites applications that align with the objectives and requirements of the Technical Assistance and Short-Term Planning Programs. These programs provide resources to support needed analysis to inform development decision-making, for example, through feasibility studies, regional cluster or supply chain analysis, export strategies, or highest and best use assessments.
Applications for the Technical Assistance and Short-term Planning programs must be from an eligible Applicant (District Organizations; Indian Tribes; State, county, city, or other political subdivisions of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities; institutions of higher education; or a public or private non-profit organization acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision). Unlike the PW and EAA programs, applications to the Technical Assistance or Short-Term Planning Program do not have definitive distress thresholds for eligibility.
To be competitive, applications must align with the priorities articulated in the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), demonstrate that requisite matching share funds (generally 50 percent) are available and committed to the project, and have strong local and regional support and potential to drive the economic development goals of the region forward.
EDA accepts applications for the Technical Assistance and Short-Term Planning program throughout the fiscal year. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NC State Economic Development Representative, Hillary Sherman at hsherman@eda.gov or 404.730.3013 to discuss the project concept, application submission requirements, and receive assistance in Application development.

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