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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 21 2015 EDA Report 8C_Attach1i Economic Development Incentive Grant Program Request for Proposals Guide and Application (2014) I. PURPOSE The Economic Development Incentive Grant Program (the “EDI Program”) was created and funded by the Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) in March 2014. The goals of the EDI Program are to facilitate the creation of jobs, increase the tax base and improve the quality of life in Scott County through two specific strategies: Corridor Readiness and Technical Planning Assistance. Corridor Readiness. This program is intended to assist communities in completing land use, transportation and environmental studies that are intended to maximize development and/or redevelopment opportunities and the investment of capital within the top ten commercial corridors as established by the SCALE Transportation and Economic Development Committee. Technical Assistance. This program is intended to provide funding for those projects that will enhance economic development activities with the goal of achieving new job creation in Scott County. II. PROGRAM INFORMATION Funding Available: $340,000 is available in 2014 for grants provided under the EDI Program. In 2014, $250,000 in funding shall be set aside for the Corridor Readiness Program and $90,000 shall be set aside for the Technical Assistance Program. Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants for this program are cities and townships within Scott County. Applicants may apply annually for funding in each program category. Applicants may also be eligible to receive a grant award in each program category. In the event the grant program is continued into subsequent years, applicants will not be eligible to receive funding within either program category for more than two consecutive years. Application Instructions: It is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of the submission requirements needed to prepare a complete application in accordance with this guide. The application consists of the EDI Program application form and all required attachments. The application form is available on the CDA website: www.scottcda.org. The applicant shall submit an executed original application and four (4) photocopies of the application. The application must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2014, at the Scott County CDA, Attn: Bill Jaffa, Executive Director- 323 South Naumkeag, Shakopee, Minnesota 55379. ii Applications determined by the CDA to be incomplete or not legible will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant. No applications, attachments or documentation will be accepted after the application due date unless requested by the CDA. Applications will not be accepted by facsimile. The CDA retains the right to reject in whole or in part any application for any reason. Contact Bill Jaffa, (952) 402-9022 or bjaffa@scottCDA.org if you require assistance with submitting your application. III. CORRIDOR READINESS GRANTS Maximum Award per project: $125,000 Local Match: 50% (for every dollar of grant award applicant must provide $0.50). * Local cash match of 0.50:1 is required and does not include in-kind staff time. Project Completion Date: Project must be completed within one year of grant award. Distribution of Grant Funds: Grant reimbursement requests shall be processed on a quarterly basis. Reimbursement requests must be accompanied by appropriate documentation including paid invoices for work completed. Twenty-five percent of the grant award shall be retained by the CDA and disbursed upon completion of final project report summarizing work completed and project outcomes. Program Description: Corridor Readiness grant funding shall be use for those activities which will result in providing clarity and resolution to unknown environmental, development, transportation or related impact to existing systems (i.e. water, sewer, storm water, wetland, roadways). Eligible funding activities shall also include those directly related to a development/redevelopment project (e.g., market analysis, concept development, site design, zoning studies, engineering studies, and environmental studies) to be developed as part of an overall development or redevelopment plan. Eligible Activities: 1. Land Use Studies 2. Traffic Studies 3. Environmental Studies (EAW, AUAR, EIS) 4. Wetland Studies 5. Storm Water Analysis 6. Water and Sewer Studies iii Ineligible Activities: Corridor Readiness Grant funds cannot be used toward the following project activities: 1. Costs not included in the application 2. Local administration expenses or overhead, including time and application fees paid to the city 3. Equipment 4. Capital improvements 5. Property acquisition and/or relocation expenses 6. Building Demolition Threshold Criteria: Applicants must first meet the threshold criteria to be considered for funding. 1. Proposed activities must be located within one of the ten transportation corridors as established by the SCALE Transportation and Economic Development Committee (See Exhibit A). 2. Application must be approved by the respective city council or township by resolution that includes the Required Resolution Provisions (attached). 3. Application must demonstrate a minimum leverage rate of 0.50 to 1 ($0.50 of other funds for every $1 of Corridor Readiness Grant). Competitive Criteria: If the application meets all threshold criteria, the application will then be reviewed and ranked on the following competitive criteria. 1. Economic Benefit. The project should have a defined impact on the local economy. This impact is measurable through potential growth in property taxes and new and/or retained Livable Wage Jobs ($14.00 per hour). [15 Maximum Points] 2. Leverage. Applications may include a variety of other funding sources committed to the project, or a higher percentage of match from the applicant. Evidence of funding commitments must be submitted with application. [15 Maximum Points] 3. Readiness to Proceed. The applicant should demonstrate that a development project has a strong likelihood to proceed with the identified project upon funding award (e.g. letters of intent, conditional site control). [15 Maximum Points] 4. Environmental Improvement. Plans that will clean-up, prevent and protect from environmental hazards are encouraged. Applicants should work with state agencies and professional consultants to identify the optimum remedy and create sustainable redevelopment. [5 Maximum Points] iv IV. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS Maximum Award per project: $30,000 Local Match: 100% (for every dollar of grant award applicant must provide $1.00) * Local cash match of 1:1 is required and does not include in-kind staff time. Project Completion Date: Project must be completed within one year of grant award. Distribution of Grant Funds: Grant reimbursement requests shall be processed upon receipt of a final project report. Final project report shall include appropriate documentation including paid invoices for work completed. Program Description: The Technical Assistance program is intended to provide funding for those projects that will enhance economic development activities with the goal of achieving new job creation in Scott County. Eligible Activities: 1. Local or Regional Marketing Programs 2. Creation of local business subsidy programs 3. Completion of studies necessary to promote and enhance economic development opportunities 4. Local Business Surveys 5. Creation of development incentive programs 6. Projects that are consistent with the Unified Economic Development, Land Use and Transportation Plan Charter goals and objectives and the work plan Ineligible Activities: 1. Costs not included in the application 2. Local administration expenses or overhead, including time and application fees paid to the city 3. Equipment 4. Capital improvements 5. Property acquisition and/or relocation expenses 6. Building Demolition Threshold Criteria: Applicants must first meet the threshold criteria to be considered for funding. 1. Application must be approved by the respective city council by resolution that includes the Required Resolution Provisions (attached). 2. Application must demonstrate a minimum leverage rate of 1 to 1 ($1 of other funds for every $1 of Technical Assistance Grant). v Competitive Criteria: If the application meets all threshold criteria, the application will then be reviewed and ranked on the following competitive criteria. 1. Economic Benefit. The project should have a defined impact on the local economy. This impact is measurable through growth/projected growth in property taxes and new and/or retained Livable Wage Jobs ($14.00 per hour). [15 Maximum Points] 2. Project Understanding. Applications should be consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the SCALE Unified Economic Development, Land Use, and Transportation Plan Charter. Projects should promote and parallel the outcomes of the greater SCALE effort. [15 Maximum Points] 3. Transferability. The ability to replicate or apply either the project itself or the information collected from the project to other communities. [10 Maximum Points] 4. Innovation. New or innovative projects to enhance economic development are encouraged. [10 Maximum Points] V. SELECTION Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee designated by CDA staff. Applications must be complete and received at the CDA by the due date. Applications meeting the threshold criteria and scoring highly on the competitive criteria will be submitted to the CDA Board of Commissioners for approval. After selection and approval by the CDA Board of Commissioners, the CDA will issue a letter of commitment and enter into a grant agreement with the city. VI. GRANT AGREEMENT CDA staff will work with the city and enter into a Grant Agreement. This agreement will detail the terms and conditions of the grant and allow for the release of funds to the city. The grant agreement will require funds to be spent within 12 months of the date of the agreement. Waivers and extensions to any provision in the agreement requested by the grantee will be considered on a case by case basis depending on the merits of the request. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis. Grantees will be required to submit semi- annual progress reports to the CDA. REQUIRED RESOLUTION PROVISIONS WHEREAS, the City of has identified a proposed project within the City that meets the Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) Economic Development Incentive Grant program’s purposes and criteria; and WHEREAS, the City has established a Development or Redevelopment Plan of which the proposed project is a component; and WHEREAS, the City has the capability and capacity to ensure the proposed project be completed and administered within the Economic Development Incentive Grant program guidelines; and WHEREAS, the City has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance; and WHEREAS, the City is supportive of enhancing economic development opportunities that will serve to create jobs, enhance the tax base and improve the lives of Scott County residents. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of approves the application for funding from the Scott County CDA Economic Development Incentive Grant program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the Scott County CDA, the [insert authorized official’s name] , the [insert authorized official’s title] , is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as are necessary to receive and use the funding for the proposed project. EX H I B I T A Th e t e n t r a n s p o r t a t i o n c o r r i d o r s a s e s t a b l i s h e d b y th e S C A L E T r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C ommittee.