DATE: March 28, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Economic Development Administration Grant Application
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Department of Public Works and Planning to submit a grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for up to $150,000 to partially fund preparation of a new digitally integrated Fresno County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
2. If the grant application is awarded, authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning, subject to review and approval by County Counsel as to legal form and the Auditor-Controller/Treasure-Tax Collector as to accounting form, to execute grant agreement, related documents, and any amendments thereto, necessary for participation in the U.S. Economic Development Administration Grant Program.
REPORT
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Planning and Local Technical Assistance Program has issued an ongoing Notice of Funding to award funds to strengthen the capacity of Local or State Organizations to promote economic development. The County is eligible to apply for up to $150,000. If awarded, the EDA grant funds will be used in combination with funds ($150,000) previously allocated by your Board to the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to update the County's Comprehensive Development Strategy (CEDS).
General Plan Policy ED-A.4 directs the County to maintain, monitor, and periodically update the County's CEDS, which is used as an operational guide to implement the County's economic development goals, policies, and programs of the General Plan, as well as fulfilling the EDA's CEDS requirements for federal grant funding eligibility. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to decline the recommended action. If this occurs, the Department will continue to seek grant funding opportun...
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