Community Development Block Grant Farm to Food and Downtown Infrastructure Pre-Applications
9/9/2011
Dear Local Government Official:
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is accepting Pre-Applications for new projects under the State of Michigan’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Farm to Food and Downtown Infrastructure Grant (DIG) programs. Submissions for the 2011 program funding cycles will be accepted until October 21, 2011. As a community leader, you are encouraged to review the program criteria identified and determine if your community is eligible to apply for funding under one of these programs.
The purpose of these CDBG programs is to accelerate community and economic development while providing benefit to low- and moderate-income persons in Michigan. Eligible, participating communities are those on the Low and Moderate Income Communities and Project Area List.
The CDBG Farm to Food program is designed to assist communities seeking to construct, rehabilitate, acquire, expand or improve a facility for the support of a three to four season farmers market. Activities eligible for funding include construction, acquisition, expansion of and/or improvements to new or existing farmers markets located in eligible low and moderate income communities. Farm to Food grants under $50,000 will not be considered.
The CDBG DIG program is designed to assist communities seeking to improve infrastructure in their downtown district. This program is designed to provide public infrastructure improvement funding for areas located in a traditional downtown. Improvements can include projects in the downtown district such as: streets and roads, sidewalks, parks, curbs, gutters, sewer, water, lighting, parking facilities, street furniture, landscaping and wayfinding. Acquisition (property and/or easements) is not an eligible activity that can be funded with grant, local or other funds. DIG grants under $100,000 will not be considered.
Each program’s priorities and criteria are outlined in the Pre-Application and will be used when selecting projects for funding. Applicants must clearly state and explain how the proposed project activities requested for funding will benefit all residents of the community.
Communities awarded Farm to Food and/or DIG grants in 2010 are not eligible to apply. Due to funding limitations, only one submission per community is allowed. Communities may apply for either grant program, but not both. Project term of work will be limited to one year.
Please note, federal regulations prohibit the use of CDBG funds for projects that have already started or have contractually obligated funds. Project activities (both CDBG and non-CDBG) cannot have begun and/or been incurred, except for preliminary engineering cost estimates. After the Pre-Application has been submitted, no changes to the project scope of work or grant increases will be allowed.
The maximum grant award cannot exceed $750,000. The total amount of grant funds available is $1,500,000 for the Farm to Food program and $3,000,000 for the DIG program. Communities may request CDBG funds for grant administration. The maximum amount of CDBG funding that will be allowed for administration is $5,000 for grants up to $500,000 or $10,000 for grants up to $750,000.
Submission Instructions:
If you determine you have an eligible project which qualifies for either the Farm to Food or the DIG program, please download and complete the corresponding program Pre-Application.
Return one completed Pre-Application signed by the authorized local government official via email and one via U.S. mail. Electronic Pre-Application submissions should be sent to CDBG@michigan.org. Include the Pre-Application, pictures, project cost/engineering estimates, additional documentation and maps as attachment(s) in the email. Mailed Pre-Applications should be sent to:
Michigan Strategic Fund
c/o Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Community Development Block Grant
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
Applicants must address ALL items in the Pre-Application to be considered for funding. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. One electronic copy and one hard (mailed) copy must be submitted.
Pre-Applications for the Farm to Food and DIG 2011 competitive rounds must be received no later than the close of business, Friday, October 21, 2011. The selection of award recipients is at the complete discretion of the Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors. Award decisions are not subject to appeal. Awards are subject to applicable state and federal policies, procedures and regulatory requirements. Award announcements are anticipated to occur by January 2012.
We look forward to working with your community to make these programs a success.
Sincerely,
Katharine V. Czarnecki, Manager
Community Programs
Related Documents
Questions and Answers
Submitted questions and answers will be posted here as appropriate.
