Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act

To establish a competitive grant program to provide assistance to support small businesses and business district revitalization in low-income, rural, and minority communities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act 2. Revitalizing business districts program (a) In general Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq. 219. Revitalizing business districts program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) National nonprofit organization The term national nonprofit organization (A) operates in each geographic area served by a regional office of the Economic Development Administration; and (B) has experience and expertise in providing technical assistance and capacity building programs in support of community-based organizations that focus on revitalizing business districts and commercial corridors, including through support of underserved small businesses. (2) Nonprofit organization The term nonprofit organization (A) described in paragraph (3), (4), (5), or (6) of section 501(c) (B) exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code. (b) Program The Secretary shall establish a national program under which the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to national nonprofit organizations to carry out place-based programs, in partnership with locally-based nonprofit or public community and economic development partners, to provide specialized technical assistance, capacity building, and related services that support small businesses and business district revitalization in low-income, rural, and minority communities. (c) Application A national nonprofit organization seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (d) Partnerships In order to receive a grant under this section, a national nonprofit organization shall demonstrate a track record of, and a strategy for, supporting local business district organizations or similar place-based business or economic development organizations and serving disadvantaged businesses or communities that are socially and economically disadvantaged, including rural communities. (e) Prioritization Notwithstanding section 206, in selecting grant recipients under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to an applicant— (1) that would serve communities that are socially and economically disadvantaged, including rural communities; and (2) that has the demonstrated capacity to serve multiple States, and multiple geographies within a State. (f) Administration The Secretary shall carry out this section through the headquarters office of the Economic Development Administration. (g) Federal share (1) In general Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and notwithstanding section 204 or any other provision of law, the Federal share of the cost of a project carried out with assistance under this section shall be not more than 80 percent. (2) Use of other Federal funds A grant recipient may use other Federal funds provided to the grant recipient to increase the Federal share under paragraph (1) up to 100 percent, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (3) Waiver The Secretary may increase the Federal share under paragraph (1) up to 100 percent if the Secretary determines that the grant recipient is unable to pay, or would experience significant financial hardship if required to pay, the non-Federal share. (h) Administrative costs Of the amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 2 percent for the administrative costs of carrying out this section. (i) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended, to carry out this section. . (b) Direct expenditure or redistribution by recipient Section 217(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3154c(a) or 207 207, or 219

Summary: Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act This bill establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the Economic Development Administration, for national nonprofit organizations to partner with local organizations to provide specialized technical assistance, capacity building, and related services that support small businesses and business district revitalization in low-income, rural, and minority communities.