U.S. Department of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs – Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States.

EDA’s investment priorities are designed to provide an overarching framework to guide the agency’s investment portfolio to ensure its investments have the greatest impact. Competitive applications will align with at least one of the following investment priorities:

1. Collaborative Regional Innovation Projects that support the development and growth of innovation clusters based on existing regional competitive strengths. Such initiatives must engage relevant stakeholders; facilitate collaboration among urban, suburban, and rural (including tribal) areas; provide stability for economic development through long-term intergovernmental and public/private collaboration; and support the growth of existing and emerging industries.
2. Public/Private Partnerships Projects that use both public- and private-sector resources and leverage complementary investments by other government/public entities and/or nonprofits.
3. National Strategic Priorities Projects that encourage job growth and business expansion in clean energy; green technologies; sustainable manufacturing; information technology infrastructure (for example, broadband or smart grid); communities severely impacted by automotive industry restructuring; natural disaster mitigation and resiliency; access to capital for small- and medium-sized and ethnically diverse enterprises; and innovations in science, health care, and alternative fuel technologies. EDA especially encourages projects that support increasing manufacturing, including advanced manufacturing, manufacturing supply chains and foreign direct investment in manufacturing facilities; projects that assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal; projects aimed at restoring or improving urban waters; projects that increase resiliency to the effects of climate change; and projects that advance science and research parks or other technology transfer or commercialization centers.
4. Global Competitiveness Projects that support high-growth businesses and innovation-based entrepreneurs to expand and compete in global markets, especially investments that expand U.S. exports, encourage foreign direct investment, and promote the repatriation of jobs back to the U.S.
5. Environmentally-Sustainable Development Projects that promote job creation and economic prosperity through enhancing environmental quality and developing and implementing green products, processes, places, and buildings as part of the green economy. This includes support for energy-efficient green technologies.
6. Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities Projects that strengthen communities that have suffered disproportionate economic distress and job losses and/or are rebuilding to become more competitive in the global economy.

Amount: Historically, the average size of a Public Works investment has been approximately $1.4 million, and investments range from $200,000 to $3,000,000 for 80 and 150 Public Works projects a year. The average size of an EAA investment has been approximately $820,000, and investments range from $100,000 to $1,250,000 for 70 and 140 EAA projects a year.

Eligibility: District Organization of a designated Economic Development District; Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; State, county, 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; institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.

Link: http://www.eda.gov/funding-opportunities/

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