Applying for EDA Funding: Webinar Recap

On Friday, May 29, IEDC hosted a webinar entitled “Applying for EDA Funding Made Possible Through the CARES ACT”. During the session, Joy Wilkins, CEcD and Principal at Serving Communities, explained the ins and outs of applying for funding and developing a successful application. Paul Raetsch, former Director of the EDA Philadelphia Regional Office, moderated and led the discussion during a Q+A with Wilkins and IEDC VP of Knowledge Management and Development, Frankie Clogston, PhD. 

Wilkins began her presentation by encouraging those interested in applying for funding to connect with their regional EDA office, and to consult with their Economic Development Representative (EDR) if they have any questions or concerns about the process. The six regional offices and their contact information can be found here.

The following is a breakdown of Wilkins’ main points. 

The CARES Act and EDA

The CARES Act provided EDA with $1.5 billion in funding for economic development assistance programs, including “the necessary expenses for responding to economic injury as a result of coronavirus”. These funds will be available until September 30, 2022, or until all funds have been deployed (whichever comes first). EDA began accepting applications on May 7 and will continue to do so on a rolling basis. CARES Act funds are appropriated under the Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program, which can include a wide range of projects such as planning activities, technical assistance, tech innovation, capitalization of RLFs, and infrastructure development. In order to qualify, a project must meet EDA’s Recovery and Resilience investment priority, but may also address one of EDA’s other four priorities, which can be found here.

Eligibility for Funds

Eligibility draws on the president’s March 13, 2020 declaration of a national emergency for all U.S. states, tribes, and territories. Economic injury from coronavirus constitutes a “special need” and eligibility may be established without reference to the other economic distress criteria that is specified for Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA). Eligible applicants include:

  • District Organization (EDA’s Economic Development Districts)
  • Indian Tribe or consortium of Indian Tribes 
  • State, county, city or other political subdivision of a State 
  • Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education 
  • Public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State 

Geographies with one or more economic distress criteria may be more competitive, including an unemployment rate for the most recent 24 month-period that is at least 1 percent greater than national rate, a per capita income that is 80 percent or less of national average, or another special need as defined in the NOFO.

Applicants must establish a nexus as to how their project will prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, and respond to economic injury as a result of coronavirus. Projects must address the direct consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and how the project will contribute to the community’s recovery and resiliency. For the match requirements, EDA will generally provide at least 80% match, but may extend this to 100% of eligible project costs. This match rate will be considered on a case by case basis. Additionally, with the exception of a “Strategy Grant”, projects should be consistent with their region’s CEDS or equivalent planning document.

Project Development

Wilkins provided several main recommendations for successful project development: consider how your project will directly respond to economic impacts and support pandemic recovery and resilience efforts, and consider how your project will meet EDA’s investment priorities. Wilkins also encourages prospective applicants to consult with their EDR to review plans and eligibility, consult with their Economic Development District (EDD) organization to review the project idea and its alignment with the CEDS, and for nonprofits to consult with their local government or relevant political subdivision, as they will need to provide a letter of support.

Preparing the Application Package

To begin the application process, organizations should ensure they have the appropriate registrations and records, including a SAM code,  FAPIIS record, having the most recent audit ready to share, and identifying a single point of contact for Government Performance and Results Act follow up. Organizations will also be asked to provide certifications such as their articles of incorporation.

Prospective applicants should go to Grants.gov to download and review the FY20 PWEAA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application package. Forms will ask you to provide such information as your organization’s name, DUNS number, Employer Tax Identification Number, as well as descriptions of how your project will align with the CEDS or other priorities, and confirmation that your match is committed, available, and unencumbered. 

Wilkins recommends consulting with your EDR on the following:

  • Eligible use of funds
  • Match requirements
  • Signatories 
  • Budget guidance for construction projects
  • Administrative & legal expenses 
  • Architecture & Engineering
  • Contingencies
  • Miscellaneous

Q+A Highlights

For the last portion of the webinar, Raetsch and IEDC President Jeff Finkle posed questions to Wilkins and Clogston for discussion. Highlights include:

Will applicants have to provide job count and tax base estimates (as required by other EAA funding)?

Since this funding is more aligned with other disaster recovery funding, these counts will not be required. It is more important to tie your project to the nexus and to establish how your project will respond to both short and long term economic impacts.

Should organizations look for outside assistance in developing their applications?

State organizations and other EDOs usually have lists of consultants available who may assist with this. Additionally, it may be worthwhile to develop grant writing skills in-house. Grants.gov also provides a useful support page and helpline for more technical concerns.

What if your area doesn’t have a CEDS?

EDA will typically accept equivalents, such as a plan or strategy approved by a local board. 

For More Information:

EDA: www.eda.gov

EDA Coronavirus Home Page: www.eda.gov/coronavirus

EDA Contacts: www.eda.gov/contact

EDA Economic Development Directory: www.eda.gov/resources 

GRANTS.GOV: www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321695 

IEDC: www.iedconline.org