CAPCOG prepares communities for EDA CARES Act grant

CAPCOG, as the region’s representative of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), is providing technical assistance to local jurisdictions to maximize chances of receiving CARES Act economic recovery funds. The EDA will begin accepting grant applications in July; eligible applicants include counties, cities, nonprofit organizations and school districts.

Project budgets can range from $100,000 to $30 million with an 80/20 grant match and can include construction and non-construction projects that have a direct impact on commercial and industrial development in a community. Housing activities are not eligible. Applicants do not have to meet the standard economic distress markers to apply, but have to make a compelling case for how the project will help the community recover from the Coronavirus pandemic by creating or retaining local jobs or expanding economic opportunity, according to Rachel Steele, CAPCOG community and economic development director.

In the past three years, CAPCOG has helped communities receive $10 million in funding from EDA sources and has a strong track record of success with developing project proposals. When the funding opportunity was announced, CAPCOG held a webinar covering key components of applying for the funding.

View the webinar or read more about the funding opportunity.

CAPCOG assists communities in determining project eligibility, building the applications, and coordinating data for the application process.

Contact Steele for further details.