On March 9, 2019, the City Commission authorized staff to apply for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and establish a Request For Proposal (RFP) to hire a consultant for CDBG grant writing and grant administration. The RFP was advertised on March 12, 2020. The proposals are due on April 2, 2020. The selection committee will review the proposals and request authorization to award the bid to the top-ranked firm at the City Commission meeting on April 13, 2020. The final CDBG application will be presented to the City Commission on June 22, 2020.
The CDBG program provides flexible funding to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalizations, economic development and improved community facilities/services. Examples of CDBG-funded projects include:
- Water & Sewer Improvements
- Rehabilitation of Housing;
- Street & Sidewalk Improvements
- Economic Development Activities that Create Jobs for Low- and Moderate-Income People
- Downtown Revitalization, including Façade Improvements, Streetscaping, and Underground Utilities
- Park Facilities and Community Centers
- Drainage / Stormwater Improvements
Funding is available for one or more Small Cities Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for up to Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00) in the Regular (Neighborhood or Housing or Commercial) Category and in the Economic Development Category for up to one million five- hundred thousand ($1,500,000) or more.
All CDBG-funded activities must meet one of the following national objectives: (1) Benefit low- and moderate- income persons; (2) Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or (3) Meet certain community development needs having a particular urgency.
The CRA is considering applying to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO) for a $750,000 Housing Rehabilitation category Community Development Block Grant for Funding Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
A public notice was published in the newspaper to receive input from residents concerning the community's economic and community development needs (see attached).
There is a match requirements to receive the maximum of 25 points for matching contribution on the CDBG application. Staff will be requesting a CRA budget amendment to appropriate TIF funding in the amount of $50,000 as a match at the Joint CRB/CRA/CC meeting on April 27th.
An overview of the CDBG grant application process and requirements will be presented in greater detail at the meeting.