$587 Million EDA Disaster Supplemental Funding for Communities Impacted by 2017 Disasters
On April 10, 2018, the Economic Development Administration of the US Department of Commerce announced that it had made $587 Million available to foster economic growth and resilience in communities affected by 2017 disasters. Hagerty’s Vice President Garrett Ingoglia discusses this funding opportunity and how you can make the most of it.
Table 1: The EDA allocation distribution by regional office.
| Regional Office | Allocation Amount |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $147,362,000 |
| Austin | $129,119,000 |
| Chicago | $8,005,000 |
| Denver | $17,435,000 |
| Philadelphia | $191,269,000 |
| Seattle | $93,810,000 |
| Total | $587,000,000 |
Who is eligible for this funding?
Eligible applicants for this grant include state and local governments, Economic Development Districts, Indian tribal governments, institutions of higher education, or non-profit organizations operating in coordination with state or local government. Consortia of applicants are also eligible, however—individuals or for-profit corporations are NOT eligible. To be eligible, applicants must propose a project or projects serving communities affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria, or wildfires, or other Federally-declared major disasters occurring in calendar year 2017. To find a searchable database of disasters, you can use the FEMA website of disaster declarations—be sure to specifically search for calendar year 2017 and Major Disaster declarations.
What can the funding be used for?
One of the most compelling elements of the EDA Supplemental Disaster funding is the wide range of projects that promote economic recovery and resilience. Through this program, the EDA can support both the development of disaster recovery strategies and the implementation of recovery and resilience projects identified in those strategies. To be eligible, projects must have a “disaster nexus”—that is, the applicant needs to demonstrate that the project advances the communities post-disaster recovery needs—and must align with one or more of EDA’s recovery investment priorities.
Eligible projects may include:
- construction, such as rebuilding a damaged facility, enhancing or strengthening existing facilities, or developing new resilient facilities;
- capitalizing revolving loan funds;
- planning, training, and technical assistance to promote disaster preparedness and resilience;
- developing business incubator programs;
- and many other projects that promote economic recovery and resilience.
How do I apply?
Official information about the program, including instructions on submitting a proposal and application, can be found at the EDA website. You can also contact your local EDA representative to resolve any additional questions—contact information is included on pages 30-33 of the Notice of Funding Availability.
Applications and proposals will be accepted, and funding awarded, on a rolling basis until all funding is committed. We understand that EDA would like to commit a sizeable portion of the funds in this fiscal year. To best position your community for an award, it is best to apply early.
To learn more about how Hagerty can help you make the most of the EDA supplemental funding, please contact Garrett Ingoglia at garrett.ingoglia@hagertyconsulting.com.
Additional Information from the EDA:
- Video of webinar hosted by the EDA on May 9, 2018
- Presentation slide deck provided by the EDA
- FAQ on the FY18 Disaster Supplemental NOFO
- Have specific questions for the EDA about the grants? Here are the EDA Regional Contacts
Garrett Ingoglia is Vice President at Hagerty Consulting, where he provides strategic advice on disaster recovery and preparedness to key clients. Garrett has been helping clients prepare for and recover from disasters for more than 15 years. He developed a regional response plan for the San Francisco Bay Area, supported FEMA and HUD disaster housing efforts after the 2004 Florida Hurricanes and Hurricane Katrina, and helped FEMA and the City of New York develop and implement innovative solutions to speed recovery and increase resilience after 9/11.