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prepared by Sunny Corral and Charles Childress
USM Economic Development Masters Program

Contents

1 Small Business Administration (SBA) Overview

1.1 SBA: Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (MREIDL)

1.2 SBA: Physical Disaster Loans

1.3 SBA: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

2 Economic Development Authority (EDA)

2.1 EDA: National Technical Assistance

2.2 EDA: Research and Evaluation Program

2.3 EDA: Local Technical Assistance

2.4 EDA: Planning Program

2.5 EDA: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program

3 Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

3.1 HUD: Community Development Block Disaster Recovery Grant

4 Economic Development Administration (EDA) overview

Public Works and Economic Development Facilities Program

Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund

Economic Adjustment Assistance Program

 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Overview

While most press coverage of SBA’s loan programs is extremely negative, the availability of SBA’s low-interest loans is crucial for American small businesses to survive.  At a maximum interest rate of 4%, small businesses will be hard-pressed to find a better opportunity available in the commercial banking industry.

The following pages highlight three available disaster loan programs offered by SBA.  Depending on your business’s scenario, you may be eligible for one or more of the programs. 

SBA offices are located in every state.  To find the nearest one to you, or to ask questions, use the information below.

Website:  www.sba.gov
Phone: 1-800-659-2955 from 8AM to 8PM (EDT) Mon - Fri
Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Office Locations: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/basics/recentdisaster/SERV_OFFLOC.html

Disaster doesn’t mean your small business is over.  SBA’s role in the midst of disaster is to step in and provide opportunity.

Small Business Administration: Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (MREIDL)

Summary – Will this work for you?: For conflicts occurring or ending on or after March 24, 1999, small businesses impacted by an essential employee being called to military duty are eligible to apply for the Small Business Administration’s MREIDL.  The purpose of MREIDL is to provide funds for small businesses to meet ordinary operating expenses that could not have been met due to the absence of the “called-up” employee. 

These loans are only available to provide the amount of working capital needed by a small business to pay necessary obligations until the essential employee is released from active military duty. The purpose of these loans is not to cover lost income or lost profits. MREIDL funds cannot be used to take the place of regular commercial debt, to refinance long-term debt or to expand the business.

To be eligible, the employee must have been active as a military reservist.  Employees chosen by a military draft, or by the employee’s decision to serve are not eligible.
   
Program Contacts:
Questions and application requests can be directed to:
Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center
Phone: (800) 659-2955
Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Photo above: Dave Krasner,
Co-owner and vice-president of
operations of Expetec in Boston

Submit completed SBA Disaster Loan Application to:

U. S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243

Applications and Online Information: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/militaryreservistsloans/index.html

Loan Amount Limit: $1,500,000

Time requirements post-disaster for submission: The Filing Period for small businesses to apply for economic injury loan assistance begins on the date the essential employee is ordered to active duty and ends on the date 90 days after the essential employee is discharged or released from active duty.

Credit Requirements: SBA's must have a reasonable assurance that the loan can and will be repaid.

Collateral Requirements: Loans of $5,000 or less do not require collateral. Loans in excess of $5,000 require the pledging of collateral to the extent that it is available.  Collateral consists of a first or second mortgage on the business property.  Personal guaranties by the principals of the business are also required.  SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral, but you must pledge available collateral.
Interest Rate: The maximum interest rate for this program is 4%, but is recalculated quarterly.

Loan Term: Law authorizes loan terms up to a maximum of 30 years, and SBA will determine the term of each loan in accordance with the borrower's ability to repay.

Example 1 of SBA MREIDL in Use:
May 2004: In Rochester, NY, a veterinary clinic received $72,800 through MREIDL when a critical employee was called to duty overseas.
"If it wasn't for that loan, we'd be bankrupt," clinic owner Rick Parsons commented.
Full Story: http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-california-metro-areas/155680-1.html

Example 2 of SBA MREIDL in Use:
January 2007: In Montgomery, AL, a livestock trailer business received $350,000 through MREIDL when owner Stanley Adams was called to duty as a National Guardsman.
Full Story: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2007/sb20070130_220354_page_2.htm

More stories and pictures:
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/01/0131_reservists/index_01.htm

Small Business Administration: Physical Disaster Loans

Summary – Will this work for you?: Any business, small or large, which has suffered physical damage as a result of a disaster may be eligible for SBA’s Physical Disaster Loan program.

The business located in a declared disaster area and has incurred damage during the disaster may apply for a loan to help repair or replace damaged property to its pre-disaster condition.

Repair or replacement of real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory and leasehold improvements may be included in the loan. Disaster loans to repair or replace real property or leasehold improvements may be increased by as much as 20 percent to protect the damaged real property against possible future disasters of the same type.

SBA loans cover uninsured physical damage. If a business is required to apply insurance proceeds to an outstanding mortgage on the damaged property, the business can include the amount applied in the disaster loan.

Program Contacts:
Phone: 1-800-659-2955 from 8AM to 8PM (EDT), Mon – Fri
Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
Office Locations: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/basics/recentdisaster/SERV_OFFLOC.html

Applications and Online Information: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/businessesofallsizes/physicaldisasterloans/index.html

Loan Amount Limit: $1,500,000.  Companies can borrow under this loan program and/or SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, however it cannot exceed a combined total of $1.5 million.

Interest Rate: The interest rate that the SBA charges on a disaster loan is determined by your ability to obtain credit elsewhere - that is, from nonfederal sources.


Example 1 of SBA Physical Disaster Loan in Use:
Feb 2007: In Orlando, FL, more than $10 million in Disaster Assistance Loans approved by SBA.  Loans went to Florida residents impacted by sever storms and tornados.
Full Story: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29737947_ITM

Example 2 of SBA Physical Disaster Loan in Use:
March 2006: In the Gulf Coast, SBA approved $1.36 billion low interest loans for business owners affected by Katrina.
"We will continue to do everything in our power to provide the needed resources and speed the recovery of the Gulf Coast," said Barreto of the Small Business Administration.
Full Story: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29737947_ITM

Small Business Administration: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

Summary – Will this work for you?: The EIDL program is applicable to small businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of physical damage, and are located in a declared disaster area.

Both small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives that have suffered substantial economic injury due to a physical disaster or an agricultural production disaster may be eligible for the SBA's EIDL Program. Substantial economic injury is defined as inability of a business to meet its obligations as they mature and to pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses. Indicators of economic injury might be a larger than normal volume of receivables, a lower sales volume, slow inventory turnover, and the development of delinquencies in trade payables, current accruals and debt payments.

The purpose of an EIDL is to help businesses meet necessary financial obligations that could have met had the disaster not occurred. It provides relief from economic injury caused directly by the disaster and permits you to maintain a reasonable working capital position during the period affected by the disaster.

It’s important to note that SBA provides EIDL assistance only to businesses SBA determines to be unable to obtain credit elsewhere. 

Program Contacts:
Phone: 1-800-659-2955 from 8AM to 8PM (EDT), Mon – Fri
Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
Office Locations: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/basics/recentdisaster/SERV_OFFLOC.html

Applications and Online Information:
http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/businessesofallsizes/economicinjuryloans/index.html

Loan Amount Limit: $1,500,000.  This loan cap includes both economic injury and physical damage assistance. Your loan amount will be based on your actual economic injury and financial needs.

Interest Rate: The interest rate will not exceed 4 percent per year.

Loan Terms: Maximum maturity for disaster loans is 30 years. The term length will be determined by the business’s ability to repay the loan.

Example 1 of SBA EIDL in Use:
May 2008: In North Carolina, businesses were negatively impacted by severe storms.  After being declared a disaster zone, businesses were able to apply for SBA’s EIDL program.
Application deadlines were set by SBA, and businesses impacted by severe weather are eligible to receive up to $1.5 million to repair or replace destroyed business assets.
Full Story: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/sba-offers-disaster-assistance-to,402277.shtml

Articles and Points of Interest:

1. SBA Approves $5.4 Billion in Disaster Loans: http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/fedgovernment/sba/sbanews/sbanews030106.html

2. SBA's low-interest loans for disaster-impacted businesses: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/businessesofallsizes/index.html

3. SBA's low-interest loans for disaster-impacted individuals: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/homeownersrenters/index.html

4. SBA's Military Reservist loans: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/militaryreservistsloans/index.html

5. SBA Disaster Recovery Plan: http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_da_disastr_revcovery_plan.pdf

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority offers several proactive and reactive programs for communities that are (or potentially) impacted by economic or physical disasters.

The following highlights five programs available to organizations and firms which assist in economic development. More information about these programs can be found at: http://www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/Programs.xml

EDA offices are located regionally throughout the country.  To find one nearest to you, refer to the list below or contact EDA directly at:
Website:  www.eda.gov
Phone: (202) 482-2900
Office Locations: http://www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/Regions.xml
Headquarters:
U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20230

Regional Offices:

Atlanta, GA: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
H. Philip Paradice, Jr, Regional Director pparadice@eda.doc.gov
401 West Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 1820
Atlanta, GA 30308-3510
Ph:  404-730-3002   Fax : 404-730-3025

Austin, TX: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Pedro R. Garza, Regional Director pgarza@eda.doc.gov
504 Lavaca Street, Suite 1100
Austin, TX 78701-4037
Ph:  512-381-8144   Fax: 512-381-8177

Chicago, IL: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin
C. Robert Sawyer, Regional Director rsawyer@eda.doc.gov
111 North Canal Street, Suite 855
Chicago, IL 60606-7208
Ph:  312-353-7706   Fax: 312-353-8575

Denver, CO: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
Robert E. Olson, Regional Director rolson@eda.doc.gov
410 17th Street, Suite 250
Denver, CO 80202
Ph:  303-844-4714   Fax: 303-844-3968

Philadelphia, PA: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
Willie C. Taylor, Regional Director Wtaylor@eda.doc.gov
Curtis Center, Suite 140 South
601 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3821
Ph:  215-597-4603   Fax: 215-597-1063

Seattle, WA: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Rep. of Marshall Islands, and the Rep. of Palau
A. Leonard Smith, Regional Director lsmith7@eda.doc.gov
Jackson Federal Building, Room 1890
915 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA
98174-1001
Ph:  206-220-7660   Fax: 206-220-7669

Economic Development Authority: National Technical Assistance

Summary – Will this work for you?:
Eligible recipients include a State, city, county, or other political subdivision of a State which is engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities.

EDA oversees three technical assistance programs (National, Local and University Center) that promote economic development and alleviate unemployment, underemployment, and out-migration in distressed regions. These programs provide grants or cooperative agreements to:

1. Invest in institutions of higher education to establish and operate University Centers to provide technical assistance to public and private sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic development
2. Support innovative approaches to stimulate economic development in distressed regions
3. Disseminate information and studies of economic development issues of national significance
4. Finance feasibility studies and other projects leading to local economic development. These programs aid the long-range economic development of regions with severe unemployment and low per capita income.

A nonprofit organization is required to submit its articles of incorporation charters and a certificate of good standing issued by the State in which it is incorporated. Applicants must demonstrate capability to complete the work program. In addition, a recipient that is a non-profit organization must work in cooperation with a political subdivision of a State unless EDA waives that requirement because the project has a significant regional or national scope.

Program Contacts:
EDA, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Regional Affairs
1401 Constitution Ave NW, HCHB Room 7816
Washington DC 20230
Telephone: (202) 482-4208

Applications and Online Information:
Economic Technical Assistance (11.302) http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=11.303

Grant limit:
The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development has the discretion to establish a maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent where the project (i) merits and is not otherwise feasible without an increase to the EDA investment rate; or (ii) will be of no or only incidental benefit to the recipient.

Example 1:
University Center projects provide management and technical assistance services to communities, counties, districts, nonprofit development groups, and technology transfer assistance to firms. Local technical assistance projects help to determine the economic feasibility of various local development projects involving industrial, commercial, and other activities. National technical assistance projects may fund reports on innovative economic development or the dissemination of economic development information.

Economic Development Authority: Research and Evaluation Program

Summary – Will this work for you?:
The Research and Evaluation Program of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) supports rigorous, practitioner accessible research of world class economic development practice that advances our understanding of economic development. Current funding priorities include proposals that enhance regional competitiveness by focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation strategies.

The Research and Evaluation Program funds research, including evaluative research, and national technical assistance projects to promote competitiveness and innovation in urban and rural regions throughout the United States.

Eligible applicants for and recipients of EDA investment assistance include a(n):

1. District Organization
2. Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes
3. 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
4. Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
5. 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 CFR Part 300.3.

For-profit, private-sector entities do not qualify for investment assistance under this program.

Program Contacts:
Economic Development Administration
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington DC 20230
Telephone: (202) 482-4208

Applications and Online Information:
Research and Evaluation Program (11.312): http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=11.312

Grant limit:
EDA investment assistance may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

Example 1:
Projects funded under the Research and Evaluation Program have included reports on innovative economic development strategies such as: (a) "Regional Clusters of Innovation, Driving a Long-Term Strategy" by Monitor Company Group; (b) "Unlocking Rural Competitiveness: The Role of Regional Clusters" by Purdue and Indiana Universities; and (c) "A Resource Guide for Technology-Based Economic Development: Positioning Universities as Drivers, Fostering Entrepreneurship, Increasing Access to Capital" by the State Science and Technology Institute.

Economic Development Authority: Local Technical Assistance

Summary – Will this work for you?:
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. (CFDA No. 11.303)

EDA’s technical assistance programs promote economic development and alleviate unemployment, underemployment, and out-migration in distressed regions. These programs provide grants or cooperative agreements to:

1. Invest in institutions of higher education to establish and operate University Centers to provide technical assistance to public and private sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic development
2. Support innovative approaches to stimulate economic development in distressed regions
3. Disseminate information and studies of economic development issues of national significance
4. Finance feasibility studies and other projects leading to local economic development. These programs aid the long-range economic development of regions with severe unemployment and low per capita income.

Eligible recipients include:

1. A State, city, county, 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
2. A consortium of such political subdivision
3. An institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
4. An Economic Development District organization
5. A private or public nonprofit organization or association, including a faith-based nonprofit organization, acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State
6. An Indian Tribe, or a consortium of Indian Tribes

Individuals, companies, corporations, and associations organized for profit are not eligible.

Program Contacts:
EDA, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Regional Affairs
1401 Constitution Ave NW, HCHB Room 7816
Washington DC 20230
Telephone: (202) 482-4208

Applications and Online Information:
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=11.303

Grant limit:
The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development has the discretion to establish a maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent where the project:

1. Merits and is not otherwise feasible without an increase to the EDA investment rate
2. Or will be of no or only incidental benefit to the recipient

Example 1:
University Center projects provide management and technical assistance services to communities, counties, districts, nonprofit development groups, and technology transfer assistance to firms. Local technical assistance projects help to determine the economic feasibility of various local development projects involving industrial, commercial, and other activities. National technical assistance projects may fund reports on innovative economic development or the dissemination of economic development information.

Economic Development Authority: Planning Program

Summary – Will this work for you?:
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. (CFDA No. 11.302)

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides Planning assistance to provide support to Planning Organizations for the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), short-term planning efforts, 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. Planning activities supported by these grants must be part of a continuous process involving the active participation of Private Sector Representatives, public officials, and private citizens. In addition, they must include:

1. Analysis of local economies
2. Identification of economic development goals
3. Determination of project opportunities
4. And formulation and implementation of an economic development program that includes systematic efforts to reduce unemployment and increase incomes

Current investment priorities include applications that help develop and enhance regional industry clusters and assist local leaders in understanding and applying the principles of entrepreneurship and technological innovation.

Eligible applicants for and recipients of EDA investment assistance include a(n):

1. District Organization
2. Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes
3. State, 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
4. Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
5. Or public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State

Program Contacts:
Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20230
Telephone: (202) 482-4495

Applications and Online Information:
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=11.302

Grant limit:
EDA grant may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of a project. For Planning assistance, the minimum EDA investment rate for projects is 50 percent, and the maximum allowable EDA investment rate is 80 percent.

Examples:
Examples of projects funded through the Planning Program include: (a) support for Planning Organizations in the creation, implementation, revision, or replacement of a CEDS; (b) development and implementation of training programs for Planning Organization members; (c) support for community planning events; (d) implementation of CEDS-related projects; (e) development of economic strategies in the wake of a military base realignment; and (f) disaster-mitigation planning.

Economic Development Authority: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program

Summary – Will this work for you?:
EDA administers the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program through a national network of eleven Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers to help manufacturing and production firms, which have lost domestic sales and employment due to increased imports of similar or competitive goods, become more competitive in the global economy. (CFDA No. 11.313)

Grants may be awarded to "intermediary organizations (including Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers)" to provide assistance to trade-injured firms. For an industry association or other organizations to be eligible for industry, the applicant must submit evidence demonstrating that the industry faces import competition and includes a substantial number of Trade Act-certified firms or worker groups.

Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAAC’s) are available to assist firms with completing and submitting an application (or petition) to the EDA.  Before a firm receives technical assistance under the program, the firm must have an adjustment proposal approved by EDA.
An adjustment proposal includes an unbiased diagnostic of the firm's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.  Typically the adjustment proposal is prepared by the TAAC in cooperation with the certified firm. The adjustment proposal identifies technical assistance tasks, which when implemented, will guide the firm toward economic recovery. The adjustment proposal must demonstrate that the implementation of the technical assistance tasks has a reasonable chance helping the firm recover. The firm must pay at least 25 percent of the cost of preparing the adjustment proposal. After a firm's adjustment proposal is accepted by EDA, the firm is authorized to apply for technical assistance to implement the recovery strategy.

Organizations representing trade-injured industries are eligible under the Trade Act to apply to EDA for industry-wide assistance.

Program Contacts:
Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington DC 20230
Telephone: (202) 482-4495

Applications and Online Information:
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=11.313

Grant limit:
Matching share requirements are as follows:

1. Each certified firm must pay at least twenty-five (25) percent of the cost of the preparation of its adjustment proposal.
2. Each firm requesting $30,000 or less in total adjustment assistance in its approved adjustment proposal must pay at least twenty-five (25) percent of the cost of that adjustment assistance.
3. Each firm requesting more than $30,000 in total technical assistance in its approved adjustment proposal must pay at least fifty (50) percent of the cost of that adjustment assistance.
4. Organizations representing trade-injured industries must pay at least fifty (50) percent of the total cash cost of the adjustment assistance, in addition to appropriate in-kind contributions.

There are no matching share requirements for TAA provided by the TAACs to firms for certification or for administrative expenses of the TAACs.

Examples:
There are 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) funded by EDA, which cover the 50 States, and the District of Columbia. The TAACs, through cooperative agreements with EDA, help firms become certified in order to receive TAA. Common types of technical assistance that firms may receive under the TAA program include market research, quality assurance completion (ISO-9000 designation, for example) and management information systems guidance. Industries have been aided in developing new manufacturing machines and procedures, technological innovations, expanding exporting opportunities, marketing studies, and product diversification.

Housing and Urban Development

The Housing and Urban Development provides one grant program aimed at assisting declared disaster zones with economic recovery.  Information on the program is detailed below. 

When gathering this information, we found the HUD website to be extremely confusing.  If you can’t find the information you need, contact them directly using the below contact information:

Website:  www.hud.gov
Phone: (202) 708-1112    TTY: (202) 708-1455
Office Locations: http://www.hud.gov/localoffices.cfm
Headquarters:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410

Housing and Urban Development: Community Development Block Disaster Recovery Grant

Summary – Will this work for you?
Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) provides flexible grants to help cities, counties, and States recover from Presidentially declared disasters, especially in low-income areas.

CDBG Disaster Recovery program funds housing, economic development, infrastructure and prevention of further damage to affected disaster areas.  Funds are available to States, local governments, Indian tribes, and Insular areas. These communities must have significant unmet recovery needs and the capacity to carry out a disaster recovery program.

Examples of these eligible activities include:
1. Buying damaged properties in a flood plain and relocating residents to safer areas;
2. Relocation payments for people and businesses displaced by the disaster;
3. Debris removal not covered by FEMA;
4. Rehabilitation of homes and buildings damaged by the disaster;
5. Buying, constructing, or rehabilitating public facilities such as streets, neighborhood centers, and water, sewer and drainage systems;
6. Code enforcement;
7. Homeownership activities such as down payment assistance, interest rate subsidies and loan guarantees for disaster victims;
8. Public services (generally limited to no more than 15 percent of the grant);
9. Helping businesses retain or create jobs in disaster impacted areas; and
10. Planning and administration costs (limited to no more than 20 percent of the grant).

HUD will help communities that otherwise might not recover due to a community’s limited resources. Disaster Recovery grants often supplement disaster programs of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Program Contacts:
Jessie Handforth Kome, Director
451 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-3587.
Hearing impaired: Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Applications and Online Information:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/drsi/index.cfm

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Website: www.eda.gov

How to apply for the Grants that follow: www.eda.gov and/or contact your regional office

Public Works and Economic Development Facilities Program

Designed to support the construction or rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and facilities necessary to generate or retain private sector jobs and investment, 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.

Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund

From amounts otherwise made available for the economic development assistance programs authorized by PWEDA, EDA will allocate $9,400,000 to assist eco-friendly projects. With this allocation, EDA aims to benefit projects that seek technologies and strategies which employ the principles of reduced energy consumption, reduced harmful gas emissions and sustainable development. EDA recognizes that eco-friendly systems may have significant upfront costs and anticipates that these funds will be used to accommodate increased project costs associated with such mitigation efforts. Therefore, EDA encourages applicants for and recipients of FY 2008 investment funds to detail and document such costs in their communications with EDA.

Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (CFDA No. 11.307)

EDA is allocating $42,300,000 to the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program in FY 2008. 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. The Economic Adjustment Assistance Program is available to all eligible recipients under PWEDA, including institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations and consortia and State and local governments. EDA also will continue its ongoing consideration of investment proposals from communities experiencing adverse economic changes due to base realignment and closures (BRAC) and federally-declared disasters when awarding assistance from FY 2008 Economic Adjustment Assistance Program funds. EDA will help American workers, businesses, and communities affected by military base closures or realignments, defense contractor reductions in force, U.S. Department of Energy defense-related funding reductions, rapid growth related to such closures, realignments, or reductions, federally-declared disasters, or economic deterioration due to other disasters, by providing assistance for planning, coordinating the use of federal resources available to support economic development recovery, and developing regionally focused economic recovery and growth strategies.