19- 498 C.M.R. ch. 30, § 4

Current through 2024-50, December 11, 2024

Section 498-30-4 - PLANNING

A. COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANTS

The Community Planning Grant (CPG) Program provides funding to communities or community partnerships that have clearly identified a local community or economic development problem and lack the resources to develop a strategy for solving that problem.

1. Threshold Criteria and Certifications: Community Planning Program funds will be distributed through an annual grant application selection process.

EligibleActivities: CPG funds may be used for planning only activities that include studies, analysis, data gathering, preparation of plans and maps, and identification of actions that will implement plans. Engineering, architectural and design costs related to specific projects are not eligible.

Project Benefit: The program activities must meet one of the CDBG Program's national objectives. The outcome of the planning activities, if implemented, must provide either a benefit to low and moderate-income persons, or prevent or eliminate slum or blighting conditions.

2. Special Program Requirements:

(a) Past Performance: In order to be eligible to apply for the 2002 Community Planning program, communities that received CDBG grants in or prior to 1998 must have closed their grants prior to application. Communities that received CDBG grants in 1999 must have conditionally closed their grants prior to application. Communities that received CDBG grants in 2000 must have obligated 50% of their benefit activity funds prior to application.

Exceptions: Applicants may request a waiver of this requirement under the following circumstances: l) program delays have occurred beyond the control of the grantee due to unforeseen changes in availability of funds or acts of nature; 2) the recipient has received unanticipated program income and expenditure of grant funds has been delayed; 3) the job creation goals of a previous grant have not been fulfilled; or 4) special circumstances as determined and approved by the OCD Program Director.

(b) Maximum CPG Grant Amount: $10,000 or up to $15,000 for Multi-Community Housing Assessment Plans.

3. Selection Process: The selection process will consist of two phases - an application phase and a project development phase.

Priority for funding will be given to the following categories in the numbers indicated: Public Facilities and Public Infrastructure (5), Housing (5), Economic Development (4), Downtown Revitalization (2), Historic Preservation (2) and Tourism Opportunities (2).

Phase I Application: The maximum application length is six pages. The application deadline is March 8, 2002.

Each application will be placed in rank order from highest to lowest according to the scores determined by the scoring team (with 1 being highest and 3 being lowest in each scoring category). Starting at the top of the scoring list, applicants will be invited to proceed to the Project Development Phase.

(a)Problem Statement (1-3 points): A description of the problems, how they were identified, and the impact on the community and on LMI persons or slum/blighting conditions.

(b)Development of Strategy(1-3 points): A description of the tasks proposed to solve your community's problems. Description of how the project will address a CDBG national objective. Include a proposed budget and describe how funds will be used.

(c)Project Leverage(1-3 points): A description of other resources (local, state, federal, private) that will be contributed to the project.

(d)Citizen Participation(1-3 points):A description of how citizens, community groups, and project beneficiaries were involved in this application and how involvement will continue.

B. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PHASE PLANNING GRANTS

The Project Development Phase Planning Grant Program enables communities to gather, analyze, and provide information required by the Project Development Phase process.

1. Threshold Criteria:

(a)Eligible Applicants: All communities invited into the Project Development Phase for a CDBG Program except for the Community Planning Grant Program.

(b)Eligible Activities: Planning funds may only be used for planning activities necessary to complete Project Development Phase requirements.

(c)Need and Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate a need for financial assistance and provide a schedule for completion.

(d)Federal andStateCertifications: Communities applying for Project Development Phase Planning Grants must certify they will comply with all applicable federal and state CDBG program certifications.

2. Selection Process: Communities will submit a Project Development Phase Planning Grant Proposal that demonstrates need for financial assistance to complete applicable Project Development Phase requirements and will describe how the funds will be used to complete those tasks.

3. Approval Process: OCD staff will review threshold criteria and the applicant's proposal. Project Development Phase Planning Grants will be awarded on an as-needed basis. Recipients and amount of assistance shall be determined by the OCD staff.

4. Maximum Grant Award: $2,500

C. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Technical Assistance Program provides selected communities with funds to contract with regional organizations to provide application development, development of alternative funding sources, grant administration and general program assistance to Maine's communities.

The Office of Community Development will use Technical Assistance funds to: conduct workshops, produce program materials, implement the CDBG Administrator's Certification Training Program and outreach to communities.

D. SPECIAL PROJECTS MATCHING FUND

The Special Project Matching Fund (SPMF) provides matching funds to projects that are not funded through the CDBG application process. SPMF funds are used for other OCD grant activities and partnerships that are consistent with the furtherance of community or economic development activities and CDBG National Objectives in the State of Maine. Approval for the use of SPMF funds is through the CDBG Program Director.

19- 498 C.M.R. ch. 30, § 4