AEDC to offer virtual workshop on state CDBG and CDBG-CV grant application process

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (December 7, 2020) – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) will host a workshop on Thursday, December 17, at 10 a.m. to inform the state’s community and economic development leaders on procedures for applying for grants administered by AEDC’s Grants Division. The workshop will also serve as initial public notice of funding availability through the competitive cycle of the General Assistance and CDBG-CV (CARES Act) set-asides. Due to effects of COVID-19, the workshop will be held via Zoom. 

The General Assistance program is designed to provide non-entitlement cities and counties with the opportunity to apply for grant assistance for public works and public facility projects. The funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) State Program for Small Cities and are administered by the AEDC Grants Division. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Public Law 116-136) makes available supplemental CDBG funds, called CDBG-CV, which has been awarded to Arkansas by HUD in three rounds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Activities submitted for funding under one or more of the programs must: 

1. Meet one of the national objectives of CDBG program: benefit to at least 51 percent low- to moderate-income persons, elimination of conditions of slum or blight, or to address an urgent need; 
2. Be an eligible activity under the regulations that govern the CDBG program; and, 
3. Address a high-priority goal in the CDBG Method of Distribution described in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan (SP-45), or are designed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic, per the substantial amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan. 

Examples of eligible activities under General Assistance include, but are not limited to, residential water and sewer; drainage, streets, and roads; childcare centers; battered spouse shelters; child advocacy centers; and facilities for severely disabled adults. Grant requests should range from $75,000 to a maximum of $1 million and are due to the Grants Division by March 31, 2021. 

CDBG-CV funds will be made available to non-entitlement cities and counties for a variety of public services and public facility activities determined by those non-entitlement governments to be unmet needs, which directly prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible activities include public services and public facilities (e.g., meals on wheels programs, employment training, assistance to food banks, health services, homeless shelters, wi-fi or other electronic devices, PPE, etc.), and direct assistance to microbusinesses. CDBG-CV grant requests range from $75,000 to a maximum of $300,000 and are also due to the Grants Division by March 31, 2021.

Participants must register in advance for the workshop.

All application guidelines and applications may be found at www.arkansasedc.com/grants. For more information, contact Jean Noble at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, 501-682-7389, or by e-mail at [email protected].

About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission 

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively. For more information, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com. The Arkansas Department of Commerce is the umbrella department for workforce and economic development drivers. Its divisions and regulatory boards include Division of Aeronautics, Waterways Commission, Wine Producers Council, Division of Workforce Services, Office of Skills Development, State Bank Department, Insurance Department, Securities Department, Economic Development Commission and Development Finance Authority. It was established July 2019 as part of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s wide-sweeping efficiency and transformation efforts to reduce 42 cabinet agencies to 15 while maintaining services for all Arkansans.