Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP): Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (PWEAA)
Link
Additional Links
Notice of Funding Opportunity (Grants.gov)
Deadline
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor
Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Purpose
Offers flexible grants and cooperative agreements to support economic development and revitalization projects in economically distressed areas and regions experiencing adverse economic change, including rural and American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities undergoing economic hardship.
The Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP) consists of two programs:
- Public Works and Economic Development program
- Economic Adjustment Assistance program
Provides funding for both strategy and implementation grants to plan and execute projects that attract investment; facilitate public-private partnerships and regional collaboration; create economic diversity, new businesses, and new jobs; support job-training and re-employment needs; and develop capacity in technology, infrastructure, and technical assistance.
The Public Works program funding assists with the design, engineering, and the construction of critical public infrastructure and other facilities that can include:
- Water and sewer system improvements
- Business and industrial, sciences, and research parks
- Multi-tenant manufacturing operations
- Shipping and logistics facilities
- Telecommunications infrastructure and development facilities
- Workforce training facilities
- Workforce training and other technology-based facilities
- Business incubators and accelerators
- Wet labs
The Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA)
program supports construction and
non-construction activities that can include:
- Infrastructure
- Design and engineering
- Technical assistance
- Recovery strategies
- Capitalization or re-capitalization of revolving loan funds
EAA programs are intended to plan and support the implementation of specific solutions in communities while utilizing existing regional economic advantages.
Assistance to Coal Communities is a portion of EAA program funding designated to support areas negatively impacted by changes in the coal industry.
ACC proposals should address one or more of the following
funding principles:
- Collaborative partnerships
- Economic and Workforce Development Integration
- High Quality Jobs and Worker Advancement
- Multi-jurisdictional project impact
Examples of ACC projects include:
- Creating new business and employment opportunities in various sectors, such as manufacturing, agriculture, energy, information and technology (IT), healthcare, tourism and recreation, transportation, and cultural and natural assets
- Supporting employment growth and economic diversification
- Enhancing or developing business incubator program and industry clusters
- Increasing access to broadband services to support employment and business growth
- Accessing private capital and new markets for goods and services
Nuclear Closure Communities (NCCs) assistance is provided under the EAA program to communities that demonstrate significant economic impact due to the closure of nuclear power plants. The initiative supports strategic planning activities, investment for public works construction, and economic diversification.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their respective regional office contact for specific guidance regarding the eligible use of ACC or CARES Act funds.
Amount of Funding
The average Public Works program investment is $1,400,000. Amounts can range from $600,000 to $5,000,000.
The average EAA program investment is $650,000. Amounts can range from $150,000 to $2,500,000.
ACC, NCC, and BCC average awards range from $500,000 to $3,000,000 for implementation projects, and from $100,000 to $350,000 for planning activities.
Estimated total program funding:
- $121.5 million for the Public Works program
- $39.5 million for the EAA program
- $48.0 million for ACC
- $16.5 million for NCC
- $4.5 million for BCC
Applicants must provide matching funds for a portion of the project. Generally, an award may not exceed 50% of the total project costs. Applicants are strongly encouraged to work with their regional office contact regarding EDA investment rate determinations and the use of in-kind contributions towards the matching share requirement for their project.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
- District organizations
- Indian tribes or a consortium of Indian tribes
- States, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions 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
- Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
- Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a state
Applicants must meet the following economic distress criteria to be eligible for funding:
- A 24-month unemployment rate that is at least 1% higher than the national average unemployment rate
- A per capita income that is 80% or less of the national average per capita income
- Have a Special Need as determined by EDA
Geographic Coverage
Nationwide
What This Program Funds
Buildings and Facilities • Capacity Building • Equipment • New Program • Operating Costs and Staffing • Starting a Business
Application Process
Application instructions, requirements, and other information about the online application process are available on grants.gov.
Applications must be submitted electronically through Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE), a grants management system.
Contact
For questions on submitting in EDGE:
GrantHDSupport@eda.gov
For programmatic questions or technical
assistance:
Contact your State
Economic Development Representative
Rural Awards
Past awards communities have received are described on the program website.
Rural communities who have received funding include:
- Doddridge County Public Service District, Inc. in West Virginia received Assistance to Coal Community funding to improve water infrastructure by extending over 7 miles of water lines to a local millwork site. The project aims to foster employment and attract private investment to the region.
- Northern Lakes Economic Alliance in Boyne City, Michigan was awarded Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to establish a new revolving loan fund that will provide access to capital to small businesses and entrepreneurs in a rural 4-county area in northern Michigan. The project will create approximately 17 jobs and leverage $1,200,000 in private investment.
- Utilities Board of the City of Tuskegee in Alabama used Public Works funding to construct a new electrical substation to provide power for the Tuskegee Commerce Park and an automotive manufacturing facility in rural Macon County.
Topics This Program Addresses
American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians • Community Planning and Coalition Building • Economic Development • Education and Training • Employment • Infrastructure • Teleservices and Technology