Federal Resources

FEDERAL GUIDANCE & RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITIES & BUSINESSES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Updated September 2nd, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

On March 11th, 2021, nearly a full year after the CARES Act, President Biden signed the newest stimulus bill into law. This is a $1.9 trillion package aimed for additional relief from COVID-19. 

Specifically, $350 billion is allocated for state and local relief with 57% being allocated to states, 35% to local governments, and the remaining going to U.S. territories and federally recognized tribal governments. Also, $50 billion is going to small business relief within the SBA, $3 billion to EDA, $510 million to FEMA, $170 billion to schools, and $40 billion to direct child care.

EDA Funding - Below is a breakdown of the NOFO including funding for six programs.

 

 

      • $1 billion in funding
      • Competitive grants are open to all typically-eligible organizations.
      • Will make ‘transformational’ grants in support of building or scaling regional industry clusters
      • The program will have two phases with two corresponding award rounds: Phase 1 (deadline of October 19, 2021) will provide planning grants of $500,000 to 50–60 entities to develop projects supporting cluster growth; Phase 2 (deadline of March 15, 2022) will provide awards of between $25 and $75 million (but may go as high as $100 million) to 20–30 entities to implement Phase 1 plans.

 

 

      • $500 million in funding
      • Deadline is January 26, 2022
      • Competitive grants to build and strengthen industry-led workforce training systems and partnerships
      • Funding will be awarded to projects addressing three phases of building and strengthening industry-led workforce training systems and partnerships: Phase 1 is System Development—funding for building or strengthening a network of workforce partnerships; Phase 2 is Program Design—funding for developing training materials and curriculum and securing technical expertise, Phase 3 is Program Implementation—funding for implementing non-construction projects needed to provide training.

 

 

      • $500 million in funding
      • Deadline is March 15, 2022
      • Standard Economic Adjustment Assistance program grants
      • EDA’s most flexible funding, which can be used for many things, including infrastructure, technical assistance, and access to capital

 

  • $100 million in funding

 

      • Deadline is March 15, 2021
      • Economic Adjustment Assistance-style funding available exclusively to indigenous communities and nonprofit organizations that serve them

 

 

      • $750 million in funding
      • Two phases made up of invitation-only state funding and a competitive grant
      • Phase 1 is invite-only to governors and includes $510 million in funding for projects that support travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation for communities that were impacted by COVID-19. The deadline for this phase is 60 days after the invitation has been sent.
      • Phase 2 is an open competitive grant with $210 million in funding for projects that support travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation for communities that were impacted by COVID-19. The deadline for this phase is March 15, 2022.
      • The project type for this initiative is Economic Adjustment Assistance-style funding, which is highly flexible and can be used for many types of projects, including infrastructure, technical assistance, marketing, and access to capital.

 

 

    • $90 million in funding
    • Two separate initiatives in this bucket
    • State Planning Grants ($59 million) are by invitation only, and the application deadline is 45 days after governors’ offices receive the invite.
    • Research and Network Grants ($31 million) are competitive and have a deadline of October 31, 2021. The funding supports research that assesses the effectiveness of EDA’s programs and supports the stakeholder community around EDA’s initiatives.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Funding for Small Businesses - Various Applications Still Open

The Paycheck Protection Program through SBA ended applications on May 31st, but existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund has also closed applications. 

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is still open to applications. Also, the newly established Community Navigator pilot program closed applications on July 23rd, but is commencing performance periods in September. 

The SBA also launched a portal which provides a list of private funding sources for supporting small businesses in COVID-19 recovery.

FEDERAL RESOURCES: 

IEDC is assembling a list of COVID-19 federal resources for economic developers, employers and employees. We encourage you to continue to monitor this site for updates on valuable content and resources.

US Department of Homeland Security - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Communities may be eligible for funding due to the March 13, 2020 declaration of a public emergency in response to COVID-19, which was recently continued. The FEMA disaster information resource center provided information necessary for accepting aid, and they have received more funding as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act. 

FEMA is also providing financial assistance for funeral expenses for deaths caused by COVID-19.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - The CDC's website is the most comprehensive resource on COVID-19 as vaccine rollout continues in the United States. The CDC website also provides a summary of the recent changes in community guidelines for fully vaccinated people. 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - The IRS has created this resource for businesses impacted by COVID-19 and released this statement when the most recent legislation was passed.

US Department of Labor (DOL) - DOL is providing resources for COVID-19 workplace safety - including OSHA guidance; wages, hours and leave; and unemployment insurance.

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - The USDA offers a FAQ on food safety, information on trade and foreign agriculture affairs, and updates on support services such as SNAP and WIC. 

Department of Education (DOE) - With elementary, secondary and higher education schools navigating how to best educate students, DOE has many COVID-19 resources for educators. 

Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) - EXIM is offering several relief measures to banks, exporters, and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus including a newly drafted workforce safety plan.

US Chamber of Commerce (non-governmental organization) - The Chamber has developed a “Combating Coronavirus” site to help business owners and employees address the economic/business impact of COVID-19.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - The CFPB is offering resources on how individuals can protect themselves financially, including those suffering hardships with paying debts and lenders and what to do if one loses their job. 

USA.gov is a comprehensive collection of government resources for businesses & residents, which includes a section dedicated to COVID-19.