Indigenous Communities Information Session with EDA

OCTOBER 14, 2021

COPYRIGHT © 2021 NAFOA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Introductory Remarks Rico Frias; Executive Director of NAFOA

Remarks Alejandra Y. Castillo; Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development 

Introduction of Carolee Wenderoth; EDA Tribal Engagement Coordinator 

Rule Change Presentation Jeffrey Roberson, EDA Chief Counsel 

Indigenous Communities 

Program Presentation

Dennis Alvord; EDA Deputy Assistant Secretary/COO

Q&A Moderated by Mara Quintero Campbell; EDA Senior Advisor to DAS/COO
Housekeeping

This webinar is being recorded. EDA will post slides, 

FAQs, and resources to the website after the session

Please use Q&A box to submit questions

Use the chat function for any technical difficulties 

and other comments.

COPYRIGHT © 2021 NAFOA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Tribal Eligibility Rule 

Change Presentation

The rule change Federal Register Notice can be found here.
Indigenous Communities

Economic Development Administration

American Rescue Plan Act funding

INVESTING IN AMERICA’S COMMUNITIES
$3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding allows EDA to lead 

an unprecedented approach to: “prevent, prepare for, and respond 

to coronavirus and for necessary expenses for responding to economic 

injury as a result of coronavirus.”

EDA’s American Rescue Plan programs are designed to:

1. Accelerate the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic

2.Build local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks

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Good Jobs Challenge

Travel, Tourism & 

Outdoor Recreation 

Economic Adjustment 

Assistance

Indigenous Communities

Coal Communities 

Commitment

Build Back Better Regional 

Challenge

Statewide Planning, 

Research, & Networks

$3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding 

to invest in:

Regions for

the Future

Communities

Built for All

Jobs for 

Today
$100 million for Indigenous Communities

Indian Tribes or a consortium of Tribes

State-recognized Tribes, unrecognized Tribes, and non-profits or forprofits that do not fall within the definition of “Indian Tribe” are not 

eligible.

Public/private nonprofit 

organizations/associations serving:

Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific Islanders of Guam, American Samoa, the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the 

Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau

The Indigenous Communities program recognizes that Native communities have 

been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic, in health and 

economic impacts. The only eligible entities are:

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Tribes and other eligible entities may also apply for funding under any 

other American Rescue Plan Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Indigenous Communities Definition

Under EDA’s regulations, the term “Indian Tribe” includes:

 the governing body of an Indian Tribe

 a non-profit Indian corporation (restricted to Indians)

 an Indian authority

 any other non-profit Indian tribal organization or entity; provided that the 

Indian tribal organization or entity is wholly owned by, and established for 

the benefit of, the Indian Tribe

 for-profit Tribal corporations that are wholly owned by, and established for 

the benefit of, a Tribe 
Award Timeline

July 2021 Applications accepted

May 31, 2027 Period of performance must end to allow for close 

out

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Rolling competitive grant applications and awards

Sept 30, 2022 All funds must be obligated
Similarities to EDA's Economic Adjustment 

Assistance Program

• A wide range Economic Adjustment Assistance project types are eligible, 

including planning, workforce development, entrepreneurship, revolving loan 

funds, public works, and infrastructure projects.

• EDA encourages application submissions based on long-term, regionally 

oriented, coordinated, and collaborative economic development or 

redevelopment strategies that foster economic growth and resilience.

• Any project that supports recovery from the economic effects of the 

pandemic is eligible.

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Differences for Indigenous Communities

• A wider range of projects are eligible:

• Foundational economic infrastructure: broadband, energy, roads, water, and 

wastewater

• Vocational and higher education facilities

• Community health facilities, even if the connection to job creation is indirect

Note: Projects that directly support casinos or requests to replace lost revenue 

remain ineligible.

• All awards will be made at 100% grant rate.

• Applicants are not required to demonstrate committed beneficiaries or 

provide signed ED-900Bs to be competitive.

• EDA will reimburse certain pre-award project costs.

• Includes Preliminary Engineering Reports preparation and environmental and 

historic preservation requirement compliance costs.

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Next Steps to Apply

1. Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Eligibility 

Requirements: https://eda.gov/funding-opportunities/

2. Find your Economic Development District for planning support and technical 

assistance: https://eda.gov/resources/directory/

3. Email your questions about the American Rescue Plan Indigenous 

Communities program to indigenous@eda.gov

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SEATTLE

Seattle: 

American Samoa

Guam

Federated States of 

Micronesia

Palau

Marshall Islands

Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana 

Islands

Philadelphia: 

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin 

Islands

DENVER

AUSTIN

CHICAGO

PHILADELPHIA

ATLANTA
More Questions?

Visit www.eda.gov/arpa to learn more about the American Rescue 

Plan programs and find contact information for each.
• Recordings of EDA’s April 16 and 19 Tribal Consultations can be found at https://eda.gov/tribal/ along 

with the associated Dear Tribal Leader Letter and presentation slides.

• The rule change Federal Register Notice can be found here.

• Any questions specifically regarding expanded eligibility please contact Mara Quintero Campbell, 

Senior Advisor, email: MCampbell@eda.gov, telephone: (202) 603-9960.

• EDA’s Tribal Engagement Coordinator, Carolee Wenderoth contact information: 

cwenderoth1@eda.gov

• Information regarding EDA’s entire suite of ARP programs can be found at https://www.eda.gov/arpa/.

• Information specifically regarding the Indigenous Communities program can be found at: 

https://eda.gov/arpa/indigenous/.

o EDA has established an email address to answer questions related to the Indigenous 

Communities program: Indigenous@eda.gov.

For More Information