Community Development Block Grants

Here are some things to remember and plan for when putting together a funding application for the Community Development Block Grant program:

• The program has changed since 2021 and applicants must apply to the state versus through the regional council.  This also means that the applicants must take on more responsibility in developing the application, supporting documentation, correspondence with state officials, etc.  If you should need any kind of assistance in developing an application, please call our office and we can provide assistance on how you should proceed.  If the applicant should contract with a regional council for administration services, it is very important to copy the regional council on any project correspondence received from the state.  Projects can get held up due to a lack of communication.

• The state is requiring that most projects will require an architectural and engineering (A/E) firm be involved with the project.  Some or all of the projects may require a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to accompany the pre-application to the state.  If you are unsure, please check with our office to find out how you should proceed.

•  When developing the application, please plan for project costs (CDBG can pay 100% depending on size of project/activity), administration costs, A/E costs, and environmental review costs.

• The applicant can either administer the project themselves, have a third party administer the project such as an A/E firm, or have the regional council administer the project.  The administration must be secured through a formal Request for Proposals sent out to at least three entities.  For RFP samples and the process, please check with our office.

• If the applicant needs the services of an A/E firm, the applicant can secure those services on their own as these services/costs will need to be paid by the applicant.  Those services can be procured through the normal process the applicant uses.

• Environmental reviews will be needed on most or all projects.  The type of environmental review will depend on the project.  The normal environmental review can be performed by a regional council, but the cost must be paid for by the applicant.  If it is determined the project will need a Phase I ESA, a Lead Assessment – buildings older than 1978, or a Vapor Encroachment Survey, those specialized activities are considered a project cost and can be paid for by the CDBG program.  If an A/E firm is involved, they should be able to document if any kind of specialized environmental work is required.  If the applicant has had a lead assessment and abatement work done on the project site, please provide supporting documentation with the pre-application.  The same goes with an asbestos assessment and abatement work.  Usually, a Vapor Encroachment Survey may be triggered by a Phase I ESA.  Any specialized environmental work that needs to be done will need to be procured through an RFP process.

We know this is a lot of information, but Tri-County Regional Development Council is here to assist you through the entire process. 

Please contact our office for more information and assistance.