# Presentation: 411771

## Overview of

EDA’s Grant Process

**EDA’s Grant Process**

**Economic Development Administration**

## Note: While most grants are handled similarly, many grant applications vary the number of steps required to process.  This is primarily based on the unique nature of each application and project.

** ****Regional Consultation** - A Representative from the Regional Office meets with, and discusses eligibility criteria, with prospective client.
-  **CEDS Approval** - Applicant must show a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) utilizing locally developed priorities.
-  **Pre-Application Assistance** – EDA Representative works with applicant to guide them though process.

**Pre-Application**

-  **Determine Eligibility** – Regional Office process with Economic Development Representative (EDR) or other EDA Representative.
-  **Develop Project Brief** – EDA specialist or EDR does this.
-  **Investment Summary** – Utilizes EDA’s five point criteria Investment Policy Guidelines.
-  **IRC Meeting** - Investment Review Committee at Regional Office.
-  **HQ Approval** – Initiate Formal Invite - investment summary with 5pt criteria using Investment Policy Guidelines.
-  **Invitation** - Applicant has 30 days to submit final application to EDA.

**Application**

-  **Application Received** – At the Regional Office.
-  **Review process** – May have more than one review depending on the nature of the grant.
-  **Complete Summary** – Finalized processing at Regional Office level.
-  **Legal Review** (for grants of $100,000 or more).

- • **Reserve Funds** - Request is sent to accounting - step one.
- • **Final Processing** - Whole package is sent to the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Division.

**Headquarters Approval**

**How EDA’s Grant Process Works**

**Project Development**

## How EDA’s Grant Process Works

-  **NGA **- EDA official signs and mails Award Agreement to grantee as a Notice of Grant Acceptance.
-  **Grantee Acceptance** - Within 30days the grantee must sign and return the Award Agreement back to EDA to finalize agreement.

**Post Approval**

-  **Disbursement Requests**.
-  **Project Monitoring and Reporting.**
-  **Recipient Reporting** - Financial, progress and performance reports to EDA and may vary.
-  **Additional Steps** - May vary depend on Construction or non-Construction Grants.

**Project Closeout**

-  **Grantee Compliance** - Within 90 days of the end of the award period, following a review of the project to ensure compliance with all terms and conditions.
-  **Grantee Notification** - EDA notifies the grantee of its acceptance of satisfactory completion of the scope of work and costs, or the need for additional information.

**Performance Monitoring**

**How EDA’s Grant Process Works**

**Note: **While most grants are handled similarly, many grant applications vary the number of steps required to process.  This is primarily based on the unique nature of each application and project.

**Links to EDA’s web site for:**
**Programs**
**Investment Policy Guidelines**
**Federal Funding Opportunity Notices**
**Laws and Regulations**
**Pre-Application  and Application Requirements**
**Post Award Requirements**

**Award**

-  **Grantee Reporting** - Responsible for reporting award performance as required by EDA.
-  **EDA Reporting** - Responsible for reporting performance to Congress under the Government Performance and Reporting Act.

## Economic Development Administration

**EDA’s Mission:**
- 	To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
**Investment Focus:**
- Support long-term, coordinated and collaborative regional economic development approaches.
- Support innovation and competitiveness.
- Encourage entrepreneurship.

**	****EDA’s goal is to encourage private capital investment in the nation’s **
**most economically distressed regions, thereby creating and retaining higher-skill and higher-wage jobs.**
**EDA accomplishes this goal by awarding grants or **
**cooperative agreements through Investment Programs.**

## Investment Programs

**Public Works and Economic Development Program**
**Economic Adjustment Assistance Program**
**Research and National Technical Assistance**
**Local Technical Assistance**
**Planning Program**
**University Center Economic Development Program**
**Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program**

## Who can apply for EDA assistance? 

**Who can apply for EDA investment assistance?**
- Units of State and local government, Indian tribes, Economic Development Districts, public and private non-profits, universities and other institutions of higher education are among eligible applicants for EDA’s economic development programs (see 13 C.F.R. § 300.3).
- Non-profit organizations are required to act in cooperation with officials of general purpose units of local government with jurisdiction over the project area.

## How does EDA determine Regional eligibility? 

**How does EDA determine regional eligibility?**
- EDA determines regional eligibility for a Public Works or an Economic Adjustment Assistance investment based on the unemployment rate, per capita income, or a special need in the region in which the project will be located.
- For economic distress levels based on the unemployment rate or per capita income requirements, EDA will base its determination upon the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) published by the U.S. Census Bureau.
- If a recent ACS is not available, EDA  will base its decision on the most recent federal data from other sources.  If no federal data is available, an applicant must submit to EDA the most recent data available from the State.

## Why does EDA require a Preapplication?

**Why does EDA require a Preapplication?**
- The Preapplication is used to make preliminary eligibility and investment rate determinations, and to evaluate the competitiveness of the proposed project.
- The Preapplication allows eligible applicants to obtain a preliminary review by EDA before undertaking the development and completion of a full application.

## How is the Preapplication obtained?

**How is the Preapplication obtained?**
- The Economic Development Representative (EDR) for your region will determine if the proposed project is likely to meet basic eligibility requirements and will provide the proponent a Preapplication and a copy of the applicable Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement.
- The EDR can also provide contacts at other federal, State and local agencies that may be of assistance.
- You are encouraged to coordinate your project with other local, State or regional planning organizations that have jurisdiction over the region in which the project will be located.

## What is the review process for the Preapplication?

**What is the review process for the Preapplication?**
- The Preapplication is reviewed by economic development professionals in the Regional Office to evaluate the merits of the proposed project  based on program-specific award and application requirements, the availability of funds, and the evaluation criteria and funding priorities identified in the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement.
- If a proponent is selected to submit a full application, the appropriate Regional Office will provide application materials and guidance in completing them.

## What is a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)?

**What is a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)?**
- A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (or CEDS) is a strategy that meets the requirements of 13 C.F.R. § 303.7.
- Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance projects funded by EDA must be consistent with a CEDS (or other strategy) approved by EDA for the region in which the project will be located.
- This statutory requirement ensures sound planning and coordination of local, State and federal funding assistance in response to local needs and economic development objectives.
- For most grants, the Preapplication must show how the project will address the regional economic development needs and objectives outlined in the CEDS.

## How long does it take to receive an invitation to submit a full application?

**How long does it take to receive an invitation to submit a full application?**
- EDA will endeavor to notify proponents regarding whether their Preapplications are selected as soon as practicable.
- The time may vary depending on the time of the year and the number of proposals submitted to the Regional Office for funding consideration.

## Does EDA require a non-Federal share?

**Does EDA require a non- Federal share?**
- Generally, the amount of the EDA grant may not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total cost of the project.
- Cash or in-kind contributions may provide the non-Federal share requirement of the total project cost.  Examples of non-Federal sources include applicant contributions, State and local grants and loans, general obligation bonds, and other public and private contributions.
- In-kind contributions may consist of assumptions of debt or contributions of space, equipment and services determined by EDA as eligible project costs.

## EDA Regional Offices

**ATLANTA**
- 401 West Peachtree Street, NW
- Suite 1820
- Atlanta, GA 30308
- T: (404) 730-3002 - F: (404) 730-3025
- (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN)
**AUSTIN**
- 504 Lavaca Street
- Suite 1100
- Austin, TX 78701
- T: (512) 381-8144 - F: (512) 381-8177
- (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX)
**CHICAGO**
- 111 North Canal Street
- Suite 855
- Chicago, IL 60606
- T: (312) 353-7706 - F: (312) 353-8575
- (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)

**DENVER**
- 1244 Speer Blvd.
- Room 670
- Denver, CO 80204
- T: (303) 844-4715 - F: (303) 844-3968
- (CO, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD, UT, WY)
**PHILADELPHIA**
- The Curtis Center
- 601 Walnut Street, Suite 140 South
- Philadelphia, PA 19106
- T: (215) 597-4603 - F: (215) 597-1063
- (CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, VT, VA, VI, WV)
**SEATTLE**
- 915 Second Avenue
- Room 1890
- Seattle, WA 98174
- T: (206) 220-7660 - F: (206) 220-7669
- (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA, American Samoa, N. Mariana Islands, Guam, Fed. States of Micronesia, Rep. of Marshall Islands, Rep. of Palau)

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