RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY & APPLICATION GUIDELINES Grant Program Purpose The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program is designed to help rural communities comprehensively diversify their local economy and create a more resilient Colorado. All applications MUST be submitted via the online grants portal: https://dola.colorado.gov/grants_portal/ Applications will be available Jan 31, 2018 Submission Deadline: March 30, 2018 Funding ● $750,000 per fiscal year July 1, 2018– June 30, 2019. ● The funds utilized for this program are appropriated from the State General Fund and are administered by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). DOLA and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) partner on decisions that impact communities. Eligibility The most successful applications are those from counties with less than 50,000 people and from communities with fewer than 20,000 people. Projects that demonstrate they are designed to strengthen the community through investing in the local economy and facilitating the diversification of local industries are particularly successful. Three types of projects are eligible for funding: 1. Local Government Economic Planning and Capacity Grants ● Projects must result in a plan that will help to diversify the local economy. Examples include: strategic plans, engineering plans, land use feasibility, and/or marketing studies. Consulting services for specific project implementation are also eligible. ● Under special circumstances DOLA will consider funding local economic development capacity through the REDI program. However, a variety of tests must be met. In addition to demonstrating all applicable criteria are met, applications for capacity support must show that any staff funded is tied to a specific project, timeline and outcome that contribute to the goal of economic diversification. REDI funds cannot be used to support existing staff’s ongoing work activities. DOLA cannot guarantee availability of funds to support capacity on a continued basis, so the grantee may need to apply and compete each year. In rare cases where an applicant can make the case for capacity funding for more than one year, the match the grantee is expected to provide will increase over time. 2. Infrastructure grants that support economic diversification. ● Projects must result in infrastructure that supports the diversification of the local economy. Examples include facility expansion, business incubators and industrial park infrastructure. Page 1 of 4 2018/19 REDI NOFA
3. Grants that support the growth and development of rural entrepreneurial eco-systems ● Projects supporting community, economic or workforce development are potentially eligible for REDI assistance. Projects that support entrepreneurship, leverage private investment or public/private partnerships (e.g. innovation centers, co-working spaces, maker-spaces, business expansion and scaling up) could be eligible. Please contact the REDI program manager or OEDIT to discuss opportunities or ideas prior to applying. All projects should be identified as a priority for the community within a comprehensive and holistic approach. Grant Requirements ● New building construction or significant renovation projects meeting certain thresholds may need to work with DOLA to ensure achievement of energy efficiency measures (e.g., LEED or Green Globes certification or commissioning). The project may need to comply with energy efficiency rules if: the project receives 25% or more of its funds from state funding, contains 5,000 or more square feet, includes an HVAC system, or, in the case of renovation projects, the cost of renovation exceeds 25% of the current property value. ● No minimum match is required; however, based on financial data in-kind and/or a cash match may increase the success of the application. ● Projects must meet performance criteria, such as construction completion milestones or other project deliverables. Projects may be denied reimbursement or may be required to pay back funds if performance criteria are not met. ● Applicants must follow local procurement rules. If rules are not place,state procurement rules must be followed. If your project does not fit into one of these categories, and you think you are eligible, please contact the DOLA REDI program manager. Online Application Process The grant application process is available electronically. All applications must be submitted using the online grants portal to be considered for an award. Please allow yourself plenty of time to become familiar with the new system. Local governments will need to create an account, log in to the system and complete each section of the application for electronic submittal. You will be able to save and close each section of the application for electronic submittal and return to complete at a later time. Prior to submittal you are strongly encouraged to contact your DOLA regional manager and the REDI program manager. Applications may be more successful if a large employer or dominant industry is at risk in the community. Applications will be evaluated on: 1. Readiness ● Project is identified in a planning document ● Community is participating in existing DOLA or OEDIT programs (examples: Main Street, Colorado Blueprint 2.0 or Creative Districts) ● Demonstration of community commitment 2. Creates diversity and resiliency in the local economy ● Creates local investment ● Diversifies the local economy ● Leverages existing local assets and plans ● Collaborates with other agencies within the area ● Builds rural entrepreneurial eco-systems ● New primary jobs created Submission deadline: March 30, 2018 Page 2 of 4 2018/19 REDI NOFA
Award process The DOLA Executive Director makes all final funding decisions. If a project is approved, DOLA staff will work with the grantee on the contracting process. Funds may not be expended without an executed contract. Any funds spent prior to an executed contract are not eligible for reimbursement. Local governments are required to submit regular (monthly or quarterly) reports based on the project’s scope of work. REDI Program Manager: Trish Thibodo
[email protected] 970-248-7311 APPLICATION OVERVIEW: Applicant/Contact Information ● Local Government/Organization ● Principal Representative ● Responsible Administrator for the Application Community Information Population of town/municipality Population of County Data Source Used Community Benefit of Project Project Description ● Project Type ● Project Name ● Project Description ● Project Start and End Date ● Job Creation (If this project will support the creation of new jobs, please describe number(s) and average wage) ● Rural Entrepreneurship Projects Only: Please describe how this project builds or supports rural entrepreneurship. If the project involves business or community based group partnerships, please describe. ● Construction/Renovation Projects only If this project involves new construction or renovating a building, please upload a document responding to the following items: 1. If renovation, existing square footage 2. Total square footage once expanded 3. Current value of building (assessed value is sufficient) 4. Is the building on the state or national historic register 5. If new construction, planned total square footage 6. Does/Will the building contain HVAC 7. Is the building in a floodplain Page 3 of 4 2018/19 REDI NOFA
Project Budget ● Total Project Budget ● Private Investment ● How were cost estimates determined ● Upload budget spreadsheet: Please upload a PDF of your budget spreadsheet with the following columns:
Detailed Line Item
Total Cost
REDI Request
Match
Source of Match
TOTAL
Amount REDI Funds Requested
● Community ● Describe how your community has prioritized this project for implementation (For example: is this project identified in a planning document, strategic plan or through a goals process? Please state the name and source of the plan.) ● Please list any state economic development program(s) your community is participating in (For example: Blueprint 2.0, Creative District, Main Street, etc.) ● How will this project help diversify the local economy? ● Is your community at risk of losing (or have you lost) a single large employer or industry? ● Collaborative or Community Partners (Please explain if this project is a collaboration or involves community partners or private sector.) Local Government Financial Information (Current Year) Local Government Financial Information Please upload a PDF with the following table:
Lead Application
Co-Applicant (if applicable)
Assessed Valuation (AV) for most recent year
Total Mill Levy
Property Tax Revenue Generated (mill levy x AV/1000)
Sales Tax (percentage and estimated annual revenues)
% / $
General Fund Balance as of DEC 31 of previous year
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