Local Food Promotion Grants, Deadline May 14

Approximately $13 million in competitive grant funds in fiscal year (FY) 2015 is available for award through the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP).  LFPP offers grant funds with a 25% match to support the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets.

Eligible entities may apply if they support local and regional food business enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. Such entities may include agricultural businesses, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, community supported agriculture networks, community supported agriculture associations, and other agricultural business entities (for-profit groups); nonprofit corporations; public benefit corporations; economic development corporations; regional farmers’ market authorities; and local and tribal governments.

Two types of project applications are accepted under LFPP—planning grants and implementation grants. Applicants can apply for either but will receive only one type of grant in the same grant cycle.

LFPP Planning Grants are used in the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise. Activities can include but are not limited to market research, feasibility studies, and business planning. A minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $25,000 will be awarded for any one proposal, and the grants must be completed within a 12 month period.

LFPP Implementation Grants are used to establish a new local and regional food business enterprise, or to improve or expand an existing local or regional food business enterprise. Activities can include but are not limited to training and technical assistance for the business enterprise and/or for producers working with the business enterprise; outreach and marketing to buyers and consumers; and non-construction infrastructure improvements to business enterprise facilities or information technology systems.

A minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $100,000 will be awarded for any one proposal, and the grants must be completed within a 24 month grant period. Contact us for more information!

Eligible Applicants:

1. Agricultural Business. A business entity that provides, holds, delivers, transports, offers, or sells agricultural products or services.

2. Agricultural Cooperative. A group-owned or member-owned entity or business that provides, offers, or sells agricultural products or services for the mutual benefit of their members.

3. Producer Network. A producer group- or member-owned organization or business that provides, offers, or sells agricultural products or services through a common distribution system for the mutual benefit of their members.

4. Producer Associations. An organization or other business that assists, represents, or serves producers or a producer network.

5. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network. A formal group of farms that work collectively to offer consumers regular (usually weekly) deliveries of locally-grown farm products during one or more harvest season(s), often on a subscription or membership basis. Customers have access to a selected share or range of farm products offered by the group of farmers based on partial or total advance payment of a subscription or membership fee.

6. CSA Associations. An organization or other business that assists or serves, represents, or services CSAs or CSA networks.

7. Local Government. Any unit of government within a state, including a county; borough; municipality; city; town; township; parish; local public authority, including any public housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937; special district; school district; intrastate district; council of governments, whether or not incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under state law; and any other agency or instrumentality of a multi-, regional, or intra-state or local government.

8. Nonprofit Corporation. Any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including IHEs, that: (a) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; (b) is not organized primarily for profit; and (c) uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization.

9. Public Benefit Corporation. A corporation organized to construct or operate a public improvement, the profits from which inure to the benefit of a State(s) or to the people thereof.

10. Economic Development Corporation. An organization whose mission is the improvement, maintenance, development and/or marketing or promotion of a specific geographic area.

11. Regional Famers Market Authority. An entity that establishes and enforces regional, State, or county policies and jurisdiction over State, regional, or county farmers markets. 12. Tribal Government. A governing body or a governmental agency of any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any native village as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 85 Stat. 688 (43 U.S.C. § 1602)) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Local Food Promotion Grants, Deadline May 14

EDA Grant Deadlines: March 12 and June 12

Under this FFO, EDA solicits applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive- merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States.

Eligible applicants:

Private institutions of higher education
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
County governments
State governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

We have clients currently using this grant program! Contact us for more information.

EDA Grant Deadlines: March 12 and June 12

Community Connect Broadband Grants, Deadline Feb. 17

The Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program (Community Connect Grant Program) is designed to provide financial assistance to provide service at the Broadband Grant Speed in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service does not currently exist. Grant funds may be used to: (1) deploy service at the Broadband Grant Speed to critical community facilities, rural residents, and rural businesses, (2) construct, acquire, or expand a community center, and (3) equip a community center that provides free access to service at the Broadband Grant Speed to community residents for at least two years. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for entities to serve all premises in eligible rural areas at the Broadband Grant Speed to ensure rural consumers enjoy the same quality and range of broadband services as are available in urban and suburban communities.

Eligible Applicants: 
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Small businesses
State governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
County governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Contact us for more information!

Community Connect Broadband Grants, Deadline Feb. 17

Rural Community Development Initiative, Deadline Nov. 12

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Rural Development has announced  $5,967,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 funding for competitive grant funds for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program.. Applicants must provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development that will support the community.

Fund uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose. A nonexclusive list of eligible grant uses includes the following:
1. Provide technical assistance to develop recipients’ capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and
economic development, e.g., the intermediary hires a staff person to provide technical assistance to the recipient or the recipient hires a staff
person, under the supervision of the intermediary, to carry out the technical assistance provided by the intermediary.
2. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for business entrepreneurs.
3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and sustainable development.
4. Develop the capacity of recipients to increase their leveraging ability and access to alternative funding sources by providing training and staffing.
5. Develop the capacity of recipients to provide the technical assistance component for essential community facilities projects.
6. Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for housing, community facilities, or community and economic development projects by
providing resources for professional services, e.g., architectural, engineering, or legal.
7. Improve recipient’s organizational capacity by providing training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board operations, management, financial systems, and
information technology.
8. Purchase of computers, software, and printers, limited to $10,000 per award, at the recipient level when directly related to the technical assistance program being undertaken by
the intermediary.
9. Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs and training expenses related to RCDI.

Contact us for more details!

Rural Community Development Initiative, Deadline Nov. 12

Farmer’s Market Promotion Program, Deadline June 20

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The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced the availability of approximately $15 million in competitive grant funds in fiscal year (FY) 2014 to be awarded through the Famers Market Promotion Program. The Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is a component of the Farmers Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP), which is authorized by the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3005). The FMPP is a competitive grant program administered by the Marketing Services Division (MSD) of AMS.

The goals of FMPP grants are to increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. The minimum FY2014 FMPP award per grant is $15,000 and the maximum is $100,000. An applicant is limited to no more than one grant in a grant-funding year. FMPP funding will be available for use beginning in October 2014. Project work should begin in October 2014 and end not later than October 2016. Matching funds are not required.

Eligible applicants:

  1. Agricultural Business. A business entity that provides, holds, delivers, transports, offers, or sells agricultural products or services.
  2. Agricultural Cooperative. A group-owned or member-owned entity or business that provides, offers, or sells agricultural products or services for the mutual benefit of the members thereof.
  3. Producer Network. A producer group- or member-owned organization or business that provides, offers, or sells agricultural products or services through a common distribution system for the mutual benefit of the members thereof.
  4. Producer Associations. An organization or other business that assists or serves, represents, or serves producers or a producer network.
  5. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network. A formal group of farms that work collectively to offer consumers regular (usually weekly) deliveries of locally-grown farm products during one or more harvest season(s), often on a subscription or membership basis. Customers have access to a selected share or range of farm products offered by the group of farmers based on partial or total advance payment of a subscription or membership fee.
  6. CSA Associations. An organization or other business that assists or serves, represents, or services CSAs or CSA networks.
  7. Local Government. Any unit of government within a State, including a county, borough, municipality, city, town, township, parish, local public authority, special district, school district, intrastate district, council of governments, or other instrumentalities of local government.
  8. Nonprofit Corporation. Any organization or institution, including nonprofits with State or IRS 501 (c) status and accredited institutions of higher education, where no part of the net earnings of which inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
  9. Public Benefit Corporation. A corporation organized to construct or operate a public improvement, the profits from which inure to the benefit of a State(s) or to the people thereof.
  10. Economic Development Corporation. An organization whose mission is the improvement, maintenance, development and/or marketing or promotion of a specific geographic area.
  11. Regional Famers Market Authority. An entity that establishes and enforces regional, State, or county policies and jurisdiction over State, regional, or county farmers markets.
  12. Tribal Government. A governing body or a governmental agency of any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any native village as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 85 Stat. 688 (43 U.S.C. § 1602)) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Contact us for more details!

Farmer’s Market Promotion Program, Deadline June 20

Rural Development Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG), Deadline June 13

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Program Status: OPEN on May 2, 2014

Estimated Program Funding: $2.25 Million
Maximum Grant Amount: $100,000
Cost Sharing Requirement: None

Eligible applicants: Public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and rural cooperatives are eligible to apply.

Grant funds must be used for projects in rural areas and they can be used for:
– Community economic development
– Technology-based economic development
– Feasibility studies and business plans
– Leadership and entrepreneur training
– Rural business incubators
– Long-term business strategic planning

Rural Development Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG), Deadline June 13

Dow Community Grants, Deadline March 31

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The companyGIVES Community Grant Program provides funding for projects that contribute to the success of local communities with the objective of making them better places to live and work. Grants are given to one-time projects that have the potential to provide visible, long-term, sustainable benefits for community members.

Eligibility

Applicants must be charitable or non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation. Faith-based non-profit organizations may qualify, provided their proposed project is for the benefit of the community as a whole rather than just the members of their congregation or organization.

Projects must be initiated by the non-profit organization and contribute to Dow’s global community success and local quality of life impact in at least one of the following areas:

  •     Education – Enhancing understanding of the roles of chemicals and plastics in the chemical industry or having the potential to increase interest in careers and opportunities linked to chemistry, technology, engineering, math and other sciences
  •     Community Success – Promotes economic development and job creation, meets community defined needs, provides permanent improvement to the social infrastructure of a disadvantaged or underprivileged section of the community or provides funding for materials or tools which will be widely available within a community or will offer long-term benefit to the community
  •     Sustainability and Innovation – Enhances or protects the natural environment or raises awareness among a broad public audience of environmental issues and relationship to social and economic consideration
  •     Quality of Life – Contributes to the physical and/or mental well-being of community residents

Projects should also align to local Community Success goals. To meet Dow’s goals for Community Success, requests for funding should also show how a proposed project will impact community residents and include details about how the community will learn of Dow’s involvement. A selection committee will review grant applications and choose grant recipients.

Applicants should request only the amount needed to fund the project.  Funding cannot be used for operating expenses, personal computers, travel expenses, dues, advertising, fund raising events, giveaways or prizes, individual scholarships, dues and memberships or lobbying expenses
If additional funding is required to complete the project, the funding sources must be secured and confirmed prior to applying for a Dow Community Grant
Application should not exceed 4 pages in length, including the project description and itemized budget.
Applications must be signed by the organization’s Executive Director or equivalent

What kinds of projects do not apply?

Those submitted by for-profit businesses, religious organizations for the sole benefit of the organization, individual sports teams, political organizations or candidates, labor unions, homeowners’ associations or individuals

Dow Community Grants, Deadline March 31

NEA Our Town Program, Deadline Jan. 13

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Through Our Town, subject to the availability of funding, the National Endowment for the Arts will provide a limited number of grants, ranging from $25,000 to $200,000, for creative placemaking projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Our Town will invest in creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to:

  •     Improve their quality of life.
  •     Encourage greater creative activity.
  •     Foster stronger community identity and a sense of place.
  •     Revitalize economic development.

Partnerships

A key to the success of creative placemaking is involving the arts in partnership with committed governmental and private sector leadership. All Our Town applications must reflect a partnership that will provide leadership for the project. These partnerships must involve two primary partners: a nonprofit organization and a local government entity, as defined by these guidelines. One of the two primary partners must be a cultural (arts or design) organization. The highest ranking official of the local government is required to submit a formal endorsement letter designating the project as the only one being submitted for the local government. Additional partners are encouraged and may include an appropriate variety of entities such as state level government agencies, foundations, arts organizations and artists, nonprofit organizations, design professionals and design centers, educational institutions, real estate developers, business leaders, and community organizations, as well as public and governmental entities.

Our Town projects should represent the distinct character and quality of their communities and must reflect the following principles:

  •     A systemic approach to civic development and a persuasive vision for enhanced community livability.
  •     Clearly defined civic development goals and objectives that recognize and enhance the role that the arts and design play at the center of community life.
  •     An action plan aligned with the project vision and civic development goals.
  •     A funding plan that is appropriate, feasible, indicates strong and wide community support, and includes a well-conceived strategy for maintaining the work of the project.
  •     Artistic excellence of the design and/or arts organizations, designers, or artists involved with the project.

Projects may include arts engagement, cultural planning, and design activities such as:

  • Arts Engagement
  • Arts engagement projects support artistically excellent artistic production or practice as the focus of creative placemaking work.
  • Innovative programming that fosters interaction among community members, arts organizations, and artists, or activates existing cultural and community assets.
  • Festivals and performances in spaces not normally used for such purposes.
  • Public art that improves public spaces and strategically reflects or shapes the physical and social character of a community.

Cultural Planning

Cultural planning projects support the development of artistically excellent local support systems necessary for creative placemaking to succeed.

  •     Creative asset mapping.
  •     Cultural district planning.
  •     The development of master plans or community-wide strategies for public art.
  •     Support for creative entrepreneurship.
  •     Creative industry cluster/hub development.

Design

Design projects that demonstrate artistic excellence while supporting the development of environments where creative placemaking takes place, or where the identity of place is created or reinforced.

  •     Design of rehearsal, studio, or live/work spaces for artists.
  •     Design of cultural spaces – new or adaptive reuse.
  •     Design of public spaces, e.g., parks, plazas, landscapes, neighborhoods, districts, infrastructure, bridges, and artist-produced elements of streetscapes. Community engagement activities including design charrettes, design competitions, and community design workshops.

When eligible, previous Our Town grantees and their communities may apply to Our Town for a distinctly different project, or a distinctly different phase of the project, from that which was funded.

We understand that creative placemaking projects are often multi-year, large-scale initiatives. Please specify in your application which phase or phases of your project are included in your request for NEA funding. All phases of a project — except for those for facilities noted below — are eligible for support. The NEA reserves the right to limit its support of a project to a particular phase(s) or cost(s). All costs included in your Project Budget must be expended during your period of support.

If relevant to your project, you will be required to provide information in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and/or the National Historic Preservation Act.

Contact us for more information!

NEA Our Town Program, Deadline Jan. 13

Coastal Zone Program, Deadline Dec. 31

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Note: This is an earlier deadline than past years!

The CZM Program strongly encourages interested applicants to contact program staff early in the proposal development process for assistance and guidance.  Complete applications will be evaluated for funding based on the following considerations:

  • Extent to which the project furthers CZM Program objectives.
  • Overall quality and clarity of the application.
  • Organizational capability of the applicant to complete project as proposed.
  • Project readiness and feasibility for completion within specified grant period.
  • Past grant management performance.
  • Cost-effectiveness.
  • Degree of public benefit to be derived from the project.
  • Measurability of project results.
  • Level of local support.
  • Leveraging private and other public resources.
  • The likelihood that the project could proceed in the absence of CZM Program funding.

The CZM Program staff will coordinate the review of the applications with other state agency staff, and recommend projects to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Director for funding.  Projects approved by the MDEQ Director will be submitted to the NOAA for final review and approval.

A. Who is Eligible

  • Coastal units of government including cities, counties, villages, and townships.
  • Regional planning agencies and conservation districts.
  • State agencies.
  •  Universities and school districts.
  • Tribal governments.
  • Nonprofit organizations (Note:  Nonprofit organizations proposing construction projects on public lands must apply through an eligible public entity to ensure public ownership.).

An applicant for which any of the following conditions existed in the 12 months prior to the application deadline for this RFP is not eligible for funding:

  • MDEQ grant contract terminated.
  • Unresolved MDEQ enforcement actions.
  • History of inability to manage grants or meet MDEQ contractual terms and conditions.

B. Grant Amounts
No less than $10,000 and no greater than $100,000.

C.    Match Requirement
A one-to-one non-federal match is required for all projects.  Match may be in the form of cash, in-kind services, or donations.  Match funding sources, such as Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Transportation, or other must be secured at time of CZM application submittal.  Applicants are required to provide documentation of secured funding.

D. Project Award Period
The standard project award start date will be October 1, 2014, and end date December 31, 2015.

E. Project Location
Construction projects must be entirely within Michigan’s coastal boundary, which generally extends a minimum of 1,000 feet inland from the ordinary high water mark.  The boundary ranges further inland in some locations to encompass important coastal features such as lakes, bays, wetlands, dunes, urban areas, public recreational parks, and natural areas.  Other types of projects that propose activities such as planning, outreach, and/or training that extend outside the coastal boundary will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Federally-owned lands are excluded from the coastal zone.

F. Ineligible Uses for Grant Funds

  • Creating or restoring restroom facilities.
  • Creating or restoring general recreational and athletic facilities such as playground equipment, ball fields, and courts.
  • Construction projects that propose to install or repair/maintain hard shoreline armoring such as rip-rap, sheet pile, and/or gabions.
  • Dredging projects.
  • Roadway design and/or road construction projects.
  • Sewer line construction and/or drain improvement projects.
  • Recreation plans.
  • Dam improvements.
  • State and federal permit application fees.
  • Projects required tofulfill a state or federal permit condition or other regulatory action.
  • Development of site plans, designs, or construction drawings for improving land or structures not under control of the applicant.

G. Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted with two hard copies, one electronic copy (CD, DVD, or USB Flash Drive (non-returnable)), and postmarked no later than December 31, 2013, to qualify for consideration.

The CZM Program has five focus areas:  Public Access, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Hazards, Coastal Water Quality, and Coastal Community Development.

A.  Public Access
The Great Lakes are a primary focus for recreation and tourism in Michigan. The CZM Program protects, restores, creates, and enhances public access to the Great Lakes using approaches that support coastal communities and fosters appreciation of our natural resources.  The CZM Program is committed to providing public access to the Great Lakes for recreational use through the following types of projects:

  • Planning, design, and engineering for low-cost construction projects for a specific site location.
  • Low-cost construction projects such as non-motorized coastal trails, boardwalks, barrier-free canoe or kayak launches and fishing piers, pervious parking lots and walkways, viewing decks, installation of interpretive signage/displays, and other amenities to improve public access to Great Lakes and coastal resources.

Preference will be given to projects with elements that:

  • Increase and improve universal public access for all visitors to our Great Lakes coastline.
  • Preserve and restore cultural and historic maritime resources such as lighthouses, shipwrecks, and other Great Lakes maritime heritage features.
  • Plan and construct shoreland protection utilizing soft-shore engineering and native plantings.
  • Implement activities that are part of an adopted waterfront or coastal community plan that incorporate green infrastructure practices that reduce storm water runoff and that utilize environmentally friendly materials.
  • Promote stewardship of coastal resources.
  • Conduct educational and outreach activities to improve public understanding of public access to the Great Lakes and connecting waters and its importance to communities and the economy.
  • Conduct training events to provide coastal decision makers with knowledge and tools to comprehensively plan for and manage public access.

B.  Coastal Habitat
The CZM Program is committed to protecting, managing, and restoring sensitive coastal habitats, including wetlands and sand dunes.  Coastal wetlands serve as spawning and nesting habitat for a variety of animals, help maintain water quality, provide erosion control, and offer recreational and tourism opportunities.  Michigan is home to the world’s largest expanse of freshwater sand dunes, and protection of these resources and the habitat they provide remains a significant focus of the program.

The CZM Program supports the following types of projects:

  • On-the-ground protection and restoration projects for Great Lakes beaches, sand dunes, coastal wetlands, streams, and nearshore habitat.  Restoration projects may include invasive species control and removal, prescribed burns, and native vegetation plantings that are proposed as part of a site management plan.
  • Feasibility studies and planning for habitat protection, restoration, and resource management.
  • Inventories of natural features that are incorporated into a local or statewide plan.

Preference will be given to projects with elements that:

  • Conduct statewide Great Lakes marine debris collection/cleanup activities.
  • Focus on regional plans and activities for protecting and managing coastal habitats.
  • Foster partnerships and actions to protect critical dunes.
  • Assist coastal communities to develop vulnerability assessments for improving the resiliency of coastal wetlands to climate change impacts.
  • Provide protection for coastal resources, including activities to prevent the introduction and spread of new invasive species such as design and installation of interpretive signage/displays at high quality sites or cleaning/disposal stations for boaters and other recreational users.
  • Promote stewardship of the coastal resources.
  • Conduct educational and outreach activities to improve public understanding of the intrinsic value of coastal habitats to the Great Lake ecosystem.
  • Conduct training events to provide coastal decision makers with knowledge and tools to comprehensively plan for and manage coastal habitats.

C.  Coastal Hazards
The CZM Program supports efforts that increase a community’s resilience to coastal erosion and flood hazards and minimize the loss of life and property caused by dangerous currents and/or improper development in areas vulnerable to coastal hazards.  This is accomplished by supporting creative local efforts that increase scientific knowledge and public awareness of coastal erosion and flooding, as well as activities that actively direct coastal development away from areas prone to these Great Lakes coastal hazards.  Projects may be regional, community-based, or site-specific in scale and may consist of planning, research, or implementation activities.

The CZM Program supports the following types of projects:

  • Development of regional coastal hazard atlases containing information such as shoreline type, historical erosion rates, local policies affecting development in the coastal zone, and other information that can be used by local officials, realtors, developers, and the general public to assist with appropriate decision making about coastal zone development.
  • Development and implementation of local shoreline management plans or coastal zoning ordinances providing construction setbacks or buffers that complement those of the state’s high-risk erosion area program.
  • Site level shoreline erosion assessments on public lands, especially when part of a site feasibility study for locating or relocating infrastructure and/or alternatives analysis for implementation of soft-shore approaches to shoreline stabilization.

Preference will be given to projects with elements that:

  • Conduct vulnerability assessments and include direct application of the assessment toward improving the resiliency of coastal communities or a public asset such as a coastal park.  Assessments may include geologic/geomorphic investigation, analysis of local wave climate and coastal processes, sediment budget analysis, historic recession or erosion analysis, and other necessary data collection and analysis to provide for appropriate shore management actions.
  • Provide for local education/outreach initiatives or implementation activities to increase beach safety with respect to dangerous currents and other swim risks (e.g., signs, flag warning system installation, and beach safety kits).
  • Conduct educational and outreach activities to improve public understanding of coastal hazards.
  • Conduct training events to provide coastal decision makers with knowledge and tools to comprehensively plan for coastal resiliency, and to implement resources and protect against coastal hazards.

D.  Coastal Water Quality
The CZM Program is committed to the protection of high quality waters.  There are important water quality benefits and potential cost savings from protecting high quality waters and preventing impairments in waters
that currently meet water quality standards.  Protection, restoration, and enhancement of critical coastal
resources such as wetlands and beaches are essential for the protection of high quality waters.  The CZM
Program supports the following types of projects:

  • Development of ordinances, policies, and/or plans addressing management of coastal nonpoint source pollution.
  • On-the-ground implementation activities to protect and improve beach health at publicly-owned Great Lakes beaches.  Examples include the installation of soft-engineering storm water infiltration and diversion systems, reduction or elimination of impervious surfaces, and installation of landscape design features that discourage waterfowl from congregating on the beach.

Preference will be given to projects with elements that:

  • Demonstrate the interconnectedness between the protection of critical coastal resources such as beaches, coastal wetlands, sand dunes, and high quality waters.
  • Promote stewardship of coastal resources.
  • Conduct educational and outreach activities to improve public understanding of the importance of protecting high quality waters of the Great Lakes and connecting waters and its importance to communities and the economy.
  • Conduct training events to provide coastal decision makers with knowledge and tools to comprehensively plan for protecting high quality waters.

E.  Coastal Community Development
The CZM Program promotes wise management of Great Lakes water and coastal resources through the development of vibrant and resilient coastal communities.  Managed well, our coast supports resilient communities with healthy natural ecosystems that provide the economic, social, and ecological foundations for a high quality of life.  Community land use plans and zoning ordinances supported with CZM funding must be developed in accordance with the requirements of applicable state planning and zoning enabling statutes.  The CZM Program supports the following types of projects:

  • Development of ordinances, policies, and plans focused on management of coastal resources based on an ecosystem approach.
  • Planning and feasibility studies for waterfront redevelopment and ports management.
  • Development and promotion of regional coastal tourism and recreation opportunities.
  • Collaborative regional or multi-jurisdictional planning or policy development.

Preference will be given to projects that:

  • Develop comprehensive community plans that include elements such as mixed land uses, compact development patterns, form-based codes, walkable neighborhoods, and preservation of open space.
  • Include coastal water trail development and promotion.
  • Promote stewardship of coastal resources.
  • Conduct educational and outreach activities to improve public understanding of the importance of wise management of coastal cultural and natural resources.
  • Conduct training events to provide coastal decision makers with knowledge and tools to comprehensively plan for the wise management of coastal cultural and natural resources.
Coastal Zone Program, Deadline Dec. 31

Rural Development Capacity Initiative Grants, Deadline Nov. 12

This Notice announces the availability of $5,676,077 for competitive grant funds for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program through the Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency within the USDA Rural Development mission area herein referred to as the Agency. Applicants must provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. This Notice lists the information needed to submit an application for these funds.

Congress initially created the RCDI in Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 to develop the capacity and ability of nonprofit organizations, low-income rural communities, or federally recognized tribes to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development in rural areas.

Low-income rural community—An authority, district, economic development authority, regional council, or unit of government representing an incorporated city, town, village, county, township, parish, or borough whose income is at or below 80 percent of either the state or national Median Household Income as measured by the 2010 Census.

Regional Collaboration—Multi-jurisdictional areas typically within a State, territory, or Federally-designated Tribal land but which can cross State, territory, or Tribal boundaries.

The Regional Collaboration approach is intended to combine the resources of the Agency with those of State and local governments, educational institutions, and the private and nonprofit sectors to implement regional economic and community development strategies, including the enhancement of community-based philanthropic endowments.

Rural and rural area—Any area other than (i) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and (ii) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such city or town.

Matching funds are cash or confirmed funding commitments and must be at least equal to the grant amount and committed for a period of not less than the grant performance period. These funds can only be used for eligible RCDI activities. Matching funds must be used to support the overall purpose of the RCDI program.

In-kind contributions such as salaries, donated time and effort, real and nonexpendable personal property and goods and services cannot be used as matching funds.

Grant funds and matching funds must be used in equal proportions. This does not mean funds have to be used equally by line item.

Fund uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose. A nonexclusive list of eligible grant uses includes the following:

1. Provide technical assistance to develop recipients’ capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development, e.g., the intermediary hires a staff person to provide technical assistance to the recipient or the recipient hires a staff person, under the supervision of the intermediary, to carry out the technical assistance provided by the intermediary.

2. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for business entrepreneurs.

3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and sustainable development.

4. Develop the capacity of recipients to increase their leveraging ability and access to alternative funding sources by providing training and staffing.

5. Develop the capacity of recipients to provide the technical assistance component for essential community facilities projects.

6. Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for housing, community facilities, or community and economic development projects by providing resources for professional services, e.g., architectural, engineering, or legal.

7. Improve recipient’s organizational capacity by providing training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.

8. Purchase of computers, software, and printers, limited to $10,000 per award, at the recipient level when directly related to the technical assistance program being undertaken by the intermediary.Show citation box

9. Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs and training expenses related to RCDI.

Construction costs are not eligible.

Rural Development Capacity Initiative Grants, Deadline Nov. 12