Section 498-32-4 - PLANNINGA. COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANTSThe 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 a twice-yearly grant application selection process.(a) Eligible Activities: CPG funds may be used for planning only activities that will include studies, analysis, data gathering, preparation of plans and maps, and identifications of actions that will implement plans. Engineering, architectural, and design costs related to specific projects are not eligible.(b) 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) Maximum CPG Grant Amount: $10,000 or up to $15,000 for Mutli-Community Housing Assessment Plans.3. Selection Process: The selection process will consist of two phases - an application phase and a project development phase. Application: The maximum application length is five pages. The application deadlines are March 5, 2004 and August 6, 2004.
Each application will be rated in relation to all others. A minimum of 80 points from the Impact, Development of Strategy, Project Leverage, and Citizen Participation sections will be required for an application to be considered for funding.
Scoring: Each application will be evaluated in relation to other communities and placed in rank order from highest to lowest according to the scores determined by the scoring team. Starting at the top of the scoring list, the review team will recommend a list of projects to the Director, Office of Community Development to proceed into the project development phase.
Review Areas:
(a)Problem Statement (30 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 (30 points): A description of the tasks proposed to solve the 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 (20 points): A description of other resources (local, state, federal, or private) that will be contributed to the project.(d)Citizen Participation (20 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 GRANTSThe 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 of completion.(d) Federal and State Certifications: 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. The OCD staff shall determine recipients and amount of assistance.4. Maximum Grant Award:$2,500C. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMThe Technical Assistance Program provides 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 FUNDThe Special Project Matching Fund (SPMF) provides matching funds to projects that are not funded through the normal CDBG application process. SPMF funds will be used for alternative 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 Director, Office of Community Development.
E. LEAD HAZARD CONTROL FUNDA set aside of $100,000 will be used to match the Lead Hazard Control Program administered by the Maine State Housing Authority. Funds will be spent solely for lead hazard reduction activities on CDBG income eligible households. Administration will not be an eligible use of funds. OCD in conjunction with MSHA will select an eligible unit of local government as a grantee for the Lead Hazard Control Fund. Dwelling units located in the entitlement communities of Auburn, Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland are not eligible to receive CDBG program funds.
19- 498 C.M.R. ch. 32, § 4