Connect with us
|
Local Development
|
Community Development Block Grant For Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) CDBG-PF is a versatile financing tool for general-purpose local units of government in need of funds to undertake needed infrastructure and public building projects (excluding buildings for the conduct of government). This program is designed to enhance the vitality of a community by undertaking public investment that contributes to its overall community and economic development. The CDBG-PF program is federally funded and all assisted projects must comply with federal requirements that accompany these funds.ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for funding, all of the following requirements must be met:
ELIGIBILE ACTIVITIES The project must fit into one of the following categories (see the CBDG-PF application for further explanation). If the project does not comply, it is not eligible for funding. Public Infrastructure Grants Eligible projects include the installation, repair, or replacement of public water systems (including wells, water towers, and distribution systems) and sanitary sewer systems (including collection systems and treatment plants); storm drainage systems; streets; sidewalks, curb and gutter; parking; street lights; and streetscape. Maintenance is not eligible. Community Facility Grants Eligible projects include capital expenditures for physical facilities necessary to add or prevent the loss of basic services or (critical) public amenities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons and are perceived to enhance a community's quality of life. These can include acquisition, new construction, expansion, rehabilitation, renovation, and conversion costs. Examples include libraries, community and senior centers, fire stations, health clinics, sheltered workshops, and day care facilities. Projects involving buildings used solely for the general conduct of government are not eligible for assistance. Costs to remove architectural barriers in structures, including structures used for general government function which limit access or mobility for elderly or handicapped persons are eligible. Downtown Revitalization Grants These are available for a range of activities intended to promote the revitalization of downtown business districts, including second-floor housing. Examples include projects intended to alleviate slum and blight conditions; support improvements to public water, sewer, storm drainage, parking streets, and other infrastructure specifically serving the downtown district; or assist with streetscape improvements, accessibility improvements, historic preservation, business façade improvements, and micro-enterprise loans. These projects must be a part of a strategy that targets downtown business districts and generates future public and private investment. A community must have completed a comprehensive downtown revitalization planning process within the past five years or be a participant in the Wisconsin Main Street Program. A community cannot receive a Downtown Revitalization Grant and Public Infrastructure Grant for the same project. MEETING LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME (LMI) NATIONAL OBJECTIVE The 2000 U.S. Census LMI census data is used to determine an applicant’s eligibility for funding under the CDBG Program’s National Objective to benefit LMI persons. There is no rounding of the census data. A community with an LMI population of 50.6 percent is not eligible to claim community-wide LMI benefit. The LMI percentage must be 51 percent or higher. See the Documents and Forms section for a listing of Wisconsin communities and their LMI population percentages. Community-wide surveys – Communities interested in performing a survey to determine what they feel is a more accurate representation of the LMI population MUST contact Commerce program staff for further information and guidance. We are particularly concerned about significant differences between Census LMI and survey data. We first want to discuss with you the justification for a survey. See the Documents and Forms section for a copy of the survey forms. Also looked at is the amount of other public funding going into a project as well as the amount of CDBG funding received to date. The considerations include a number of factors and it is for this reason that potential applicants are advised to review their project prior to submitting an application. Staff will do their best to provide an assessment of the prospects for funding given the information at hand at the time of the contact. FUNDING The maximum grant for any single application is $750,000, although seldom is more than $500,000 or 50 percent of the local share of costs (whichever is less) awarded. Depending on financial need, community distress, and other related factors, the actual grant award may be less than 20 percent or greater than 30 percent of the balance. APPLICATION The CDBG-PF Grant Application has been revised for
applicants (units of government) seeking funding for infrastructure
improvements, public building projects, and downtown revitalization
efforts. There are no longer separate applications for PF and
PFED projects. You will find the application under the
Documents and Forms section on this webpage.
DOCUMENTS & FORMS 2009 LMI Census Data CDBG PF & PFED Application Implementation Manual SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS Applications may be submitted at any time. Applicants are limited to one grant per a 12-month period. Mail or bring your Application to: Bureau of Community Finance Division of Housing and Community Development Wisconsin Department of Commerce 201 West Washington Avenue, 5th Floor PO Box 7970 Madison, WI 53707 REVIEW AND AWARD PROCESS Applications are scored on a point system that considers the applicant’s overall distress, need for the improvement, ability to pay for the improvement, leveraging of other funds, and project readiness. The Department rates applications through a series of individual and panel reviews. PROJECT ADMINISTRATION The grantee is responsible for project administration. This includes, but is not limited to, submitting requests for funds and progress reports, conducting Labor Standards reviews, keeping financial management records, preparing closeout reports, and meeting other contractual obligations. The CDBG-PF Implementation Manual explains and all the forms needed for your project administration (including environmental review, financial forms, closeout forms, etc.). You will find the application under the Documents and Forms section on this webpage. REVIEW AND AWARD PROCESS Applications are scored on a point system that considers the applicant's overall distress, need for the improvement, ability to pay for the improvement, leveraging of other funds, and project readiness. The Department rates applications through a series of individual and panel reviews. PROJECT ADMINSTRATION The award recipient will be responsible for project administration. This includes but is not limited to, submitting requests for funds and progress reports, conducting Labor Standards reviews, keeping financial management records, preparing closeout reports and meeting other contractual obligations. To obtain more information on this and other Commerce funding programs, contact us using the address, or fax number listed above. CONTACT INFORMATION Sandy Herfel (608) 266-2435 Jason Scott (608) 261-7714 Darlene Moss (608) 266-7998 To read PDF files, you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader that you can download for free.
|
|