The Economic Development Branch works to fund development activities that create or retain jobs principally benefiting low and moderate income (LMI) persons. Additional goals provide for the training and provision of human services that allow for the professional advancement of LMI persons. As part of the Commonwealth's allocation from the CDBG program, these projects have been allocated estimate with up to $1,000,000 of CDBG funding per community.
There are two areas of eligibility for CDBG Economic Development funding:
Traditional: Provides grant assistance to communities for projects which specifically address the creation or retention of jobs through eligible activities. Funds can be provided to a community to use for specific business/industrial clients.
Non-Traditional: Allows for the funding of eligible activities benefiting low and moderate income persons not directly related to job creation.
Who can Apply: All cities and counties with the exception of designated entitlement areas. Multi-Jurisdiction Applications may jointly request $2 million provided that the $1 million per jurisdiction is not exceeded. Multi-Jurisdiction Non-Traditional Economic Development applicants may request up to $500,000 if the $250,000 per jurisdiction is not exceeded.
Recapture: When a loan or lease is made to an entity, DLG may allow the repayment to remain in the local jurisdiction for use toward other economic development projects. Future utilization of these funds is subject to oversight and approval by DLG and may be recaptured based on various factors.
Program Criteria: Basic guidelines include limits on the level of CDBG participation proposed in a project. The CDBG cost should not exceed $20,000 per job. CDBG participation should be limited to one third of the total project.
Applications Accepted: Dates will are April 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025.
For more information,
contact the Office of Federal Grants.