EDA announces general policies and application procedures for the Disaster Supplemental NOFO. Subject to the availability of funds, this investment assistance will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects, as appropriate, to address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.) (Stafford Act) "as a result of Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, and of wildfires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019...". To be competitive, applications must clearly incorporate principles for enhancing the resilience (as defined under Section A.4, below) of the relevant community/region or demonstrate the integration of resilience principles into the investment project itself. Resilience is an essential component of any strategy for mitigating the potential for future disaster-related losses and adverse economic impacts for communities. Therefore, inclusion of resilience principles in the project is a necessary step to improve the capacity of the region to recover more quickly from future disaster events. Applicants must include a narrative attachment as a part of their application materials, describing in detail the nexus between their proposed project scope of work and disaster recovery and resilience efforts. The strength of the nexus to the disaster is drawn from the consequences of the relevant disaster(s) and the intended project outcomes that fulfill the community’s specific post-disaster needs.
EDA employs a two-phase review process for proposals/applications submitted under this NOFO. There are no submission deadlines. Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new Disaster Supplemental NOFO, cancellation of this NOFO or all available funds have been expended. EDA intends to review proposal packages within 30 days of their receipt and review full applications within 60 days of receipt. See Section E of this NOFO regarding EDA’s two-phase review process.
Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA), an eligible applicant for and eligible recipient of EDA investment assistance under this announcement include a(n): (1) District Organization; (2) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (3) State, city or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (4) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or (5) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3. EDA is not authorized to provide grants to individuals or to for-profit entities seeking to start or expand a private business. Such requests may be referred to State or local agencies, or to non profit economic development organizations.
