Funder: Economic Development Administration
Due Dates: Rolling (no deadline; applications accepted until new NOFO or funds exhausted)
Funding Amounts: Public Works: $600,000–$5M (avg. $1.4M) | EAA: $150,000–$2.5M (avg. $650K) | Ceiling: $30M | Duration: 1–5 years
Summary: Supports construction, planning, and technical assistance projects that advance economic development, resilience, workforce, and equity in distressed U.S. communities.
Key Information: Cost share required (typically 50%, up to 80% or 100% in some cases); for nonprofits, governments, and higher ed; individuals and for-profits not eligible.
Description
This program provides federal funding to support a wide range of economic development activities in distressed communities across the United States. Funding is available for both construction and non-construction projects, including infrastructure, workforce development, technical assistance, planning, and revolving loan funds. The program is designed to help communities respond to economic challenges, foster job creation, attract private investment, and build long-term economic resilience, with a strong emphasis on equity, workforce, and climate change adaptation.
Projects must align with at least one of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) investment priorities, such as equity, recovery and resilience, workforce development, manufacturing, technology-based economic development, environmentally sustainable development, or exports and foreign direct investment.
Due Dates
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- There are no submission deadlines; proposals are reviewed as received until a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is published, the current NOFO is cancelled, or all available funds are expended.
Funding Amount
- Public Works Program: Typical awards range from $600,000 to $5,000,000 (average ~$1.4M).
- Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA): Typical awards range from $150,000 to $2,500,000 (average ~$650K).
- Special Programs (e.g., Assistance to Coal, Nuclear, Biomass Closure Communities): $500,000–$3,000,000 for implementation; $100,000–$350,000 for planning.
- Award Ceiling: $30,000,000.
- Award Floor: $100,000.
- Project Duration: Non-construction: 12–24 months; Construction: 12–48 months (up to 5 years).
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- County, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments or consortia
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), acting in cooperation with a political subdivision
- District Organizations of EDA-designated Economic Development Districts
Not eligible: Individuals and for-profit entities.
Additional requirements:
- Projects must benefit regions that meet EDA’s economic distress criteria (e.g., high unemployment, low per capita income, or special need).
- Projects must align with a current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or equivalent EDA-accepted regional strategy.
Application Process
- Register and Apply: Applications must be submitted electronically via the EDA Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) portal.
- Required Forms:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- ED-900 (General Application for EDA Programs)
- Budget Narrative
- Match Commitment Letter(s)
- CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying)
- Additional forms as required by project type (e.g., SF-424A/C/D, environmental narrative, organizational documentation)
- Cost Share: A non-federal match is required (typically 50%, up to 80% for highly distressed regions, and up to 100% for certain tribal or nonprofit applicants).
- Review Process: Applications undergo a competitiveness review and, if successful, a merit review by an Investment Review Committee. Criteria include alignment with EDA priorities, feasibility, stakeholder support, resilience, equity, and job creation potential.
- No Pre-Award Costs: Pre-award costs are generally not reimbursed unless specifically approved.
Additional Information
- Investment Priorities: Projects must address at least one EDA investment priority. See full list and definitions.
- Matching Funds: Must be unencumbered, unrestricted, and committed at the time of award.
- Build America, Buy America Act: Construction projects must comply with domestic sourcing requirements for iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials.
- Reporting: Recipients must submit regular financial and performance reports.
- Ineligible Projects: Residential housing, community amenities (e.g., pools, zoos), casinos, general government or public safety facilities, and operating budget supplementation are not eligible.
External Links
Contact Information
For technical issues with the EDGE portal, email: GrantHDSupport@eda.gov