Application Notes:

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Applicants are encouraged to contact their LDD for additional information about application submission requirements and assistance in developing their applications.

Applications must be submitted online at dra.communityforce.com/Login.

Applications must include:

• Project description and alignment
• Community benefits plan
• Project management and team partners
• Budget, implementation, and impact
• Attachments:
  • Staff resumes and/or job descriptions
  • Letters of support (optional)
  • Additional documentation (as applicable)

Applications are recommended to be limited to eight pages for the project narrative section, not including attachments.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Project description and alignment:
  • Description of project and community needs (15 points)
  • Project design and implementation plans (10 points)
  • Alignment with strategic goals and plans (10 points)
• Community benefits plan:
  • Evidence of community and employer demand for proposed project (10 points)
  • Demonstration of realistic and attainable outcomes (10 points)
  • Evidence of community impact and quality of life improvements (10 points)
• Project management and team partners:
  • Evidence of project team and organizational capacity (10 points)
  • Local and regional collaboration with public and private partners (5 points)
  • Evidence of institutional partnerships grounded in collaboration (5 points)
• Budget, implementation, and impact:
  • Budget and funding request and description of matching funds (5 points)
  • Detailed budget narrative and resource allocation (5 points)
  • Realistic timeline and risk management (5 points)

The funding agency will work with and through the award recipient and/or LDD to schedule project site visits for monitoring purposes.

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

There are no stated matching requirements for this program; however, applicants that provide higher amounts of cash and/or in-kind matching contributions will be given priority consideration.

The matching requirement will not apply to projects providing transportation or basic public services to residents in distressed counties or isolated areas.

Funding Notes:

An unspecified amount of funding is available to support awards generally ranging from $500,000 to $2 million through this program.

At least 75 percent of funding through this program will be awarded to economically distressed counties and parishes and isolated areas of distress in the region.

Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis. 

Architectural and engineering fees, which are allowable for this program, will be disbursed as detailed on page 11 of the Appendix file.

The project period will be no more than 24 months.

Administrative fees will be paid to the local development districts (LDDs) from the awarded funds. The project administrative fees will be 5 percent of the first $100,000 awarded, and 1 percent of funds in excess of $100,000. The administrative fee is only paid to the LDD, and will not be allowed for consultants or other project managers.

Projects conducted on private property are not eligible, unless the property owner grants a permanent easement or right-of-way to the applicant and proper access to the property.

Expenses incurred prior to the date of the project notice to proceed are not allowed without prior written approval from the funding agency.

Funds may not be used for:

• Projects that construct or improve fire or police stations
• Fundraising for, or lobbying of, U.S. federal, state, or local governments
• Subgrants of any type and pass-through funding
• Activities that would constitute a conflict of interest or be considered less than an arm's length transaction
• Projects that do not conform to the state's bid, procurement, or contract laws
• Residential development projects
• Spec-buildings/pads/industrial sites
• Water meters as a standalone project
• Maintenance and/or deferred maintenance projects, including road, highway, or bridge maintenance projects
• Projects that create or retain only seasonal or part-time jobs

Refer to pages 11-13 of the Appendix file for additional information regarding funding restrictions.