Center for Creative Land Recycling — New Grant Opportunities For Community Development

New Grant Opportunities For Community Development

Yesterday, the White House announced a second launch of the ‘Promise Zone’ Competition. The initiative is part of a federal plan to create a “new pathway to the middle class” by partnering with local communities and businesses to create jobs, increase economic security, improve educational opportunities, and reduce violent crime”. Urban, rural, and tribal communities nationwide are invited to submit a plan to partner with local business and community members to make informed investments. In exchange, the awardees will receive:

• Preferred access to competitive federal funding programs
• Federal staff on the ground
• And five full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members

The deadline for submitting Promise Zone applications is November 21, 2014. More information about the Promise Zone initiative and the application process is available atwww.hud.gov/promisezones.

Is your community interested in creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods? The application period is now open for free technical assistance from EPA grantee SmartGrowth America. SmartGrowth America’s workshops will help communities think through their goals, show how development strategies can help achieve those goals, and provide ideas to make it happen. This technical assistance is provided with grant support from EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program, which funds quick, targeted technical assistance to communities to help stimulate a discussion about growth and development and strengthen local capacity to implement sustainable approaches.

• Click HERE to visit SmartGrowth America’s website to learn about the workshops and how to apply.
• Learn more about EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program HERE

Applications are due by October 23, 2014, 5:00 PM EDT

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) will announce the opening of the application period for the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) Program competition. Applications for this opportunity are scheduled to be available in late October, and will be due in January of 2015. The program encourages communities to develop economic development initiatives that will strengthen their ability to become centers of manufacturing-centered economic growth. Last year, the competition designated 12 “manufacturing communities” and granted $1.3 billion in federal grants and loans to bring their development projects to fruition.
Click HERE to learn more about the IMCP program.

If you are interested in applying for any of these funding opportunities, CCLR is available to assist. CCLR provides direct technical assistance to help communities successfully address brownfield challenges within their communities. From the beginning to the end of your redevelopment project, we’ll answer your questions, provide advice and sample documents, and connect you to resources. Our services are available pro-bono to local governments, nonprofits, community groups, and quasi-governmental agencies such as redevelopment agencies or housing authorities. For other groups, we may be able to provide discounted support based on project merit and demonstration of need.