Deadline: 30-Sep-22
The U.S. Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration is pleased to announce the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Indigenous Communities to assist indigenous communities to recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic.
Even before the pandemic, indigenous communities faced high levels of economic distress and unique economic development challenges, resulting in severe inequalities in opportunity for members of these communities. The pandemic greatly exacerbated those challenges and inequities and will continue to cause deep economic injury to indigenous communities in unprecedented ways.
Competitive applications for funding under this NOFO will propose projects designed to create the conditions for economic growth in indigenous communities and to accelerate economic recovery from the pandemic. These projects can include foundational economic infrastructure projects, such as such as broadband, energy, road, water, and wastewater infrastructure (including community water facilities); vocational and higher education facilities; and community health facilities that are necessary for future job creation. Projects can also include non-construction projects to provide technical assistance to support business development, entrepreneurship assistance, economic development planning, rural prosperity, and workforce training in indigenous communities. Further, EDA seeks to fund projects representing diverse geographies, from rural and urban settings to projects on or near tribal lands.
Funding Information
- Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress provided EDA with $3,000,000,000, to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus and for necessary expenses for responding to economic injury as a result of coronavirus.” Of the funds provided, EDA anticipates awarding $100,000,000 to indigenous communities under this NOFO.
- EDA plans on funding construction and non-construction projects that cost between approximately $500,000 and $5,000,000 under this NOFO.
- Period of Performance: Under the EAA program, the period of performance of a grant depends on the type of project. Typically, strategy grants and grants for non-construction implementation projects range in duration from 12 to 24 months. Given conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, EDA expects some projects will require a longer period of performance, including up to 48 months. Implementation grants involving construction generally are expected to range from 12 to 48 months. Please note that all American Rescue Plan Act Funds must be expended by September 30, 2027; therefore, no grants may be extended beyond that date.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants for the Indigenous Communities NOFO are:
- Indian Tribes or a consortium of Indian Tribes. EDA’s regulation defines “Indian Tribe” as “an entity on the list of recognized tribes published pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, as amended, and any Alaska Native Village or Regional Corporation. This term includes the governing body of an Indian Tribe, non-profit Indian corporation, Indian authority, or other non-profit Indian tribal organization or entity; provided that the Indian tribal organization or entity is wholly owned by, and established for the benefit of, the Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village.”
- Non-profit organizations or associations serving Native Hawaiians in the State of Hawaii that are not-for-profit organizations chartered by the State of Hawaii, are controlled by Native Hawaiians, and whose business activities will principally benefit such Native Hawaiians. Such non-profit organizations or associations must show that they are acting in coordination with a political subdivision of a state unless the applicant is proposing a project of significant regional or national scope by, for example, providing a letter of support from a local government. A letter of support from a political subdivision or office of a state is sufficient to meet this requirement.
- Non-profit organizations or associations serving Native Pacific Islanders in Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau that are controlled by Native Pacific Islanders and whose business activities will principally benefit such Native Pacific Islanders. Such non-profit organizations or associations must show that they are acting in coordination with a political subdivision of a jurisdiction unless the applicant is proposing a project of significant regional or national scope by, for example, providing a letter of support from a local government. A letter of support from a political subdivision or office of a jurisdiction is sufficient to meet this requirement.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334764
