Grant Summary
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) created the Rural Roadmap to Recovery and Resiliency program to provide educational support and economic grants to rural communities to support their efforts in rebuilding their economies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Local Affairs’ Colorado Resiliency Office in partnership with OEDIT’s Rural Opportunity Office in June 2021, selected 16 rural teams that represent 169 communities across Colorado to participate in this program. These rural regional teams represent a diverse array of Colorado communities. As part of the program, each team was led through a strategic planning process focused on identifying strategies and priorities driving economic relief, recovery, diversification, and long-term resilience in their unique region, resulting in a “roadmap” for future economic development projects. OEDIT’s Rural Opportunity Office is leading the effort to implement these projects through its Rural Technical Assistance Program.
The Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) is a multi-faceted economic development education, outreach and implementation program for rural Colorado communities and regions. The goal of the RTAP program is to provide fundamental education, subsequent project development and strategic implementation, while measuring economic metrics to provide quantifiable economic help to the community or region.
Funding
16 participating regional teams will have the opportunity to apply for up to $41,000 in non-competitive funding to advance an economic development initiative identified in their Roadmap plan. Additional expenses toward the project will be the responsibility of the regional team.
Eligibility & Eligible Projects
- EDA-certified Economic Development District Organizations
- Indian Tribes or a consortium of Indian Tribes
- State, county, city, or other political subdivisions of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions
- Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
- Public or private non-profit organizations or associations, including labor unions, acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.
Individuals and for-profit entities, including for-profit institutions of higher education, are not eligible.
Projects must comply with the EDA’s outcome metrics with a direct connection to economic development initiatives that result in job creation, job retention, entrepreneurship and business development support, and/or capital formation. The selected project must also be collaborative as only one project per regional team will be funded through this grant opportunity. The required budget must designate which partner will act as the sole fiscal agent.
Project funds must be able to be expended by May 31, 2024, to be considered for funding.
Examples of Eligible Projects
- Consultant expenses for implementing a project
- Complete a study identified in the Roadmap plan
- Direct projects such as:
- Business attraction and retention projects
- Projects which support startups or business expansion
- Projects which attract new industries
- Creative projects that build economic ecosystems, which support job growth, as well as the systems that enable/attract people to live and work in a place such as access to workforce support systems like childcare, transit, attainable housing, and activated downtowns.
Overview
Type: Grant
For: Economic Development Districts/Statewide Economic Development Planning
Amount: Up to $41,000 per business
Application period: August 23, 2023 - December 31, 2023
OEDIT division: Rural Opportunity Office
Applicants must have a conversation with their DOLA Regional Manager and/or OEDIT Rural Opportunity Representative, and gain their approval prior to completing a full application so that the Roadmaps Team can learn more about the proposed project and its regional impact.
Application Process
This program is only open to participating Roadmaps Regional teams. Please check back to learn more about the funded projects as teams implement their Roadmaps strategies.
Required Supporting Documents
- Applicant (or eligible fiscal agent) must have a Sam.gov UEI #**
- A completed application form along with the following attachments are required:
- Project budget Roadmaps RTAP Budget Template 2023, (xlsx)
- Certificate of Good Standing, if applicable
- W-9
- Conflict of interest policy
Application Timeline
- Application Opens: August 23, 2023
- Projects Submitted: Rolling basis but no later than December 31, 2023
- Funds Expended: May 31, 2024
- Project Completed/Final Report Due: June 30, 2024
This is a non-competitive program, with grant funding available to all 16 regional teams participating in the EDA Rural Roadmap to Recovery and Resiliency Program. The Rural Opportunity Office will work in partnership with the Department of Local Affairs to review applications. We will award grants based on eligibility and eligible projects. These include:
- Complete the application and the required supporting documents
- One or more of the following outcomes: Jobs Created, Jobs Retained, Capital Formation
- Plan/Project must be directly tied to roadmap plan (included in Strategies Matrix)
- Regional scope and collaboration - at least three regional team partners involved
Award Distribution
Grant funds will be awarded on a reimbursement basis, following the issuance of an official purchase order from OEDIT. Expenses incurred before grant agreement execution (date of executed purchase order) are not allowable expenses.
An invoice template will be provided to submit along with documentation of payment including invoices, receipts, bank/credit card statements, and/or cleared checks.
Conditions of Funding
The Rural Opportunity Office reserves the right to modify or amend the guidelines, as needed.
Applicants must attest that they have reviewed and agree to the State of Colorado Small-dollar Grant Award Terms and Conditions (PDF).
Grantees must:
- Notify OEDIT of any budget changes.
- Submit reports as outlined in the grant award agreement including a final report describing what was accomplished with the grant funds, and a detailed final financial report. The final financial report must come from the organization's financial system and include a break out of the project costs to include vendor name, payment amount, and date.
Technical Assistance Availability
Applicants are required to reach out to DOLA’s Regional Managers and/or OEDIT Rural Opportunity Representative for initial guidance as they develop their projects. Applicants are encouraged to continue communication with OEDIT as questions arise throughout the process.
Contact
