HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-16-2009 - 4yORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 16, 2009
Action Agen~a
Item No.
SUBJECT: Authorization to Pursue Federal Stimulus Grant Opportunities
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Willie A. Best, 245-2308
Selected Funding Opportunities
PURPOSE: To:
1) Authorize staff to pursue any federal stimulus grant opportunities during
the summer break in consultation with the Chair (or with the Vice Chair in
the event the Chair is not available);
2) Authorize the Chair (or Vice Chair if the Chair is not available) to sign any
documents requiring elected official's signature related to pursuing federal
stimulus grant opportunities;
3) Authorize the Interim Manager to sign any documents related to pursuing
federal stimulus grant opportunities not requiring elected official's
signature; and
4) Direct staff to provide a summary of any federal stimulus grant
opportunities pursued as outlined above at the Board's August 18, 2009
regular meeting.
BACKGROUND: During the Board's summer break there may be opportunities for the County
to pursue federal stimulus grant opportunities. Staff is requesting authorization from the Board
to pursue these opportunities in consultation with the Chair (or with the Vice Chair in the event
the Chair is not available).
It is further requested the Board 1) authorize the Chair (or Vice Chair if the Chair is not
available) to sign any documents requiring elected official's signature related to pursuing federal
stimulus grant opportunities; and 2) authorize the Interim Manager to sign any documents
related to pursuing federal stimulus grant opportunities not requiring elected official's signature.
This approval will allow County staff to pursue grants individually or with private partners as
necessary and meet requirements and/or deadlines for grants of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grants may be available through state agencies or directly from
federal agencies. County staff has been attending ARRA seminars and will be using outside
2
resources (such as Triangle J Council of Governments and other `free services') to gather
information to fulfill grant application criteria.
Staff would provide a summary of any federal stimulus grant opportunities pursued as outlined
above at the Board's August 18, 2009 regular meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item other than the staff
time necessary to apply for any federal stimulus grant opportunities
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1) Authorize staff to pursue any federal stimulus grant opportunities during
the summer break in consultation with the Chair (or with the Vice Chair in
the event the Chair is not available);
2) Authorize the Chair (or Vice Chair if the Chair is not available) to sign any
documents requiring elected official's signature related to pursuing federal
stimulus grant opportunities;
3) Authorize the Interim Manager to sign any documents related to pursuing
federal stimulus grant opportunities not reauiring elected official's
signature; and
4) Direct staff to provide a summary of any federal stimulus grant
opportunities pursued as outlined above at the Board's August 18, 2009
regular meeting.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Selected Funding Opportunities
Current Funding, Opportunities (By Deadline)
• Clean Water and Drinking Water Grants & Loans (Deadline: June 3)
o $134 million available from DENR for water and wastewater treatment.
o Several jurisdictions in Region J previously received funding.
• Community Development Block Grant (Deadline: June 12)
o $12 million available from DOC to small cities for basic infrastructure and
energy-efficient rehabilitation of existing buildings.
• Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Formula) (Deadline: June 17)
o $86 million available from USDOJ for crime prevention
o Applicants limited to specified units of local government.
• RUS Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband (Deadline: June 19)
o $2.5 billion (nationwide) available from USDA Rural .Development for broadband
service in rural areas.
• Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants (Deadline: June 25)
o $37 million available from USDOE for improvements in energy efficiency.
o Funding is allocated by formula to municipalities with populations greater than
35,000.
o Municipalities smaller than 35,000 will apply directly to the State Energy Office
for $21 million in funding. (Deadline TBD).
• Assistance to Firefighters Grants (Deadline: July 10)
o $210 million (nationwide) available from FEMA to construct and modernize fire
stations.
• Neighborhood Stabilization (Deadline: July 17)
o $2 billion (nationwide) from HUD to rehabilitate foreclosed homes and
neighborhoods.
o Grant applications must return at least 100 homes to productive use. Minimum
grant size is $5 million
• Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) (Deadline: July 30)
o $18 million available from NCDHHS for financial assistance and relocation to
reduce homelessness
o An additional $4 million has been allocated by HUD to seven entitlement cities in
North Carolina.
• Public Housing Capital Fund (Deadline: August 21)
o $1 billion (nationwide) available from HUD for capital improvements in public
housing. Certain projects must be submitted by July 18.
o Eligible recipients are public housing authorities.
o $83 million in formula money has already been allocated to the N.C. Housing
Finance Agency.
• Competitive Surface Transportation Program (TIGER) (Deadline: Sept. 1 S)
o $300 million available from USDOT for highways and bridges.
o Local governments may apply for funding but are unlikely to be approved due to
the state's pending application for funding to replace the I-85 bridge over the
Yadkin River.
Electric & Alternative Energy Vehicles (Deadline: September 30)
o $300 million (nationwide) available from USDOE for alternative energy vehicle
projects.
o Triangle J COG has joined other COGS to submit a Round 1 application.
Future Fundin O ortunities All deadlines to be determined
• Community Development
o Assisted Housing Stability/Energy & Green Retrofit Programs
^ $2.25 billion (nationwide) available from HUD to retrofit buildings.
^ Local governments typically are not recipients.
o Community Development Financial Institutions
^ $100 million (nationwide) available from US Department of the Treasury
for community-based lenders.
o Corporation for National & Community Service
^ $200 million (nationwide) to support community service
o Economic Development Administration
^ $150 million (nationwide) from USDOC for economic development.
^ Directed to regions that have experienced sudden job loss due to corporate
restructuring.
o HOME Investment Partnerships
^ $58 million available from N.C. Housing Finance Agency to rehabilitate
affordable housing.
^ Local governments typically are not recipients.
• Energy
o Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
^ $4.5 billion (nationwide) available from USDOE to modernize electric
grids
o Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research
^ $2.5 billion (nationwide) available from USDOE for energy research
o State Energy Program
^ $76 million available from the State Energy Office for energy efficiency
programs
Environment
o USDA Rural Water & Wastewater Disposal Loans and Grants
^ $1.4 billion available from USDA for water systems in rural areas.
^ The application process remains the same.
Public Safety
o Emergency Food & Shelter
^ $100 million (nationwide) available from FEMA to provide emergency
social services.
o Internet Crimes Against Children
^ $50 million (nationwide) available from USDOJ to prevent online
predators
o Public Transportation Security Assistance
^ $150m (nationwide) available from FEMA to provide transportation
security
o Violence Against Women
^ $225m (nationwide) available from USDOJ to provide law enforcement,
victim services, and housing.
o Wildland Fire Management
^ $SOOm (nationwide) available from FEMA to improve forest health
~U
Telecommunications
o Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
^ $4.7 billion (nationwide) available from USDOC to deploy broadband in
unserved and underserved areas.
Transportation
o High Speed Rail Corridors
^ $8 billion (nationwide) available from USDOT to improve the efficiency
of high-speed rail.
o New Starts
^ $750 million (nationwide) available from USDOT for fixed guideway and
mass transportation projects.
Past Funding Opportunities (Application periods have closed)
• Lead Paint Removal
• Water Resources Infrastructure (Army Corps of Engineers)
• Diesel Emissions Reductions
• Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Competitive)
• COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services)
• State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance
• USDA Rural Communities Facilities Loans and Grants
• Weatherization Assistance
• Airport Improvement Program
• Highway Infrastructure
• Rail Modernization
• Transit Capital Assistance
• Brownfields
• Hazardous Substance Superfund