$5 billion in Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) was allocated for projects designed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
Of these funds, made available in March 2020, approximately $127 million has been committed to eligible, non-entitlement communities in New York State. It is anticipated that the availability of these CDBG-CV funds will be announced in the very near future. These funds will be made available on a competitive basis to assist in local projects that prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19 pandemic.
While all of the specific program details are not yet fully known, there is some preliminary information to help you better prepare to compete for this vital funding opportunity.
First, it is understood that priority project categories will continue to be: Economic Development, Small Business Assistance & Microenterprise; Public Infrastructure; Public Facilities; Housing Assistance; Public Services; or some combination thereof.- Second, eligible projects are anticipated to need to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus” or respond to “economic injury as a result of coronavirus.” Some examples of eligible priority projects may likely include activities such as business assistance programs; mortgage/rent relief programs; public facility health and safety improvements; workforce development and business modification initiatives; and expansion of critical community services.
Infrastructure project will require strategic assessments to relate projects to the coronavirus and preserve the public health. With the absence of many traditional grant opportunities in 2020, this program will be highly competitive. Therefore, it is critical that your community is well-prepared to take advantage of this funding opportunity when the CDBG-CV program is formally announced.
As a full service engineering, planning, and community development firm, Laberge Group has secured more than $245 million for our clients since 2000. Contact us today to discuss how we can help your community compete for this vital funding opportunity.