Technical Assistance Programs - National Technical Assistance

Agency: Economic Development Administration

Program: Technical Assistance Programs — National Technical Assistance

Program Description: Grants and cooperative agreements are intended to provide resources to intermediary organizations giving technical assistance to local, district, and state economic development organizations and for national demonstrations of innovative economic development techniques. Types of projects include economic impact analyses and measurement; surveys of best practices in economic development tools; newsletters and reports on new developments and success stories in rural and urban economic development; and demonstrations of national significance. Priority consideration for funding is given to proposals that show potential usefulness for local, regional and state economic development; soundness and completeness of analytical demonstration methodology and means of dissemination; and value of proposed project relation to cost.

Eligible Communities: Public or private nonprofit associations, accredited educational institutions, and others (but not private individuals or for-profit organizations).

Funding Information: Assistance will generally be for a period of 12 months, and applicants are expected to provide a minimum of 25% of the total project cost. EDA awards grants only and considers the unemployment in an area. EDA gives priority to projects designated as high priority by local economic development agencies. In addition, projects must result in job creation. Funds are available on a reimbursable basis upon approval. For technical assistance and planning projects, funds are available immediately or as soon as the work begins. For construction projects, funds are usually not disbursed until all construction contracts are awarded.

Timelines: EDA is funded on the basis of the federal fiscal year that runs October 1 to September 30. EDA is open for preapplications year-round. The EDA field representative will invite a preapplication for a project that seems to have a good chance of being successful. The preapplication is then submitted to the EDA regional office where a project review committee decides whether or not to invite a final application. After the final application is completely reviewed, the regional director makes the final decision. Most projects that submit a final application are approved for funding. The entire process from preapplication to final decision can take from three months (rare) to a year or more. The process can be lengthy because (1) EDA stops considering preapplications when spending limits for the fiscal year are complete, and (2) there are always numerous projects for the small staff to review.

Contact: Anne Berblinger Deena Sosson

US Dept. of Commerce — EDA US Dept. of Commerce - EDA

Suite 244, One World Trade Center 801 I Street, Suite 411

121 SW Salem Street Sacramento, CA 95814

Portland, OR 97204 Phn (916)498-5285

Phn (503)326-3078 Fax (916)498:5286

Fax (503)326:6351 Int www.doc.gov/eda/