Department of Commerce
Atlanta FY 2021 – FY 2023 EDA Planning and Local Technical Assistance
Key facts
- Deadline
- No deadline listed: see the official notice
- Award size
- Up to $300K
- Match ?
- Required only for some projects or applicants (then you cover 40% of the total project). Check the official notice for yours · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Private college or university, State government, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), City or town government, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), Public college or university, Tribal government, County government, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), and others named in the official notice
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Your share in dollars
If this rule applies to your request: for a $300,000 grant you'd put in about $200,000 of your own money or donated help, for a total project of about $500,000.
“Generally, the amount of the EDA grant may not exceed 60 percent of the total cost of the project.” — federal program 11.302, from its SAM.gov catalog entry
Based on this official rule. Some programs lower it for distressed counties or accept donated help.
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- Needs a match (see how much in the notice)
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 21
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/8aeb4ef5-51e3-434b-b5a8-0c4287be2b64 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/320e68e9-8130-4457-89b7-83394da67e1e
More from Department of Commerce
- Climate Program Office for FY 2012 · No deadline listed: see the official notice
- FY 2021 - 2023 Economic Development RNTA · No deadline listed: see the official notice
About this grant
NOTICE: Application Process as of April 6th
EDA is excited to announce the launch of its new grants management platform: the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE). EDGE was developed to streamline the application and grants management process by implementing a single platform with increased transparency, improved user experience, higher data quality, and more efficiency throughout the entire grant lifecycle.
As of April 6th, 2023, applications can no longer be submitted on Grants.gov, and will ONLY be accepted through EDGE. To apply in EDGE, please go to: sfgrants.eda.gov. More information on how to apply is provided in the full NOFO.
PARTNERSHIP PLANNING program instructions: Please note that applicants will be invited to submit applications through EDGE for the Partnership Planning program. For more information, please reach out to your EDA point of contact.
Program Description:
EDA makes planning and local technical assistance investments to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States.
Under the Planning program, EDA makes Partnership Planning, Short-Term Planning, and State Planning awards to eligible recipients to create and implement regional economic development plans designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. More specifically, EDA makes Partnership Planning investments to designated planning organizations (i.e., District Organizations) serving EDA-designated Economic Development Districts and to Indian Tribes to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which articulate and prioritize the strategic economic goals of recipients’ respective regions. EDA also makes Short-Term and State Planning awards for economic development planning activities that guide the eventual creation and retention of high-quality jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nation’s most economically distressed regions.
Under the Local Technical Assistance program, EDA makes awards to strengthen the capacity of local or State organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities to undertake and promote effective economic development programs through projects such as feasibility studies,...
Who can apply, from the official notice
Pursuant to section 3 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 3122) (PWEDA) and EDA’s regulation at 13 C.F.R. § 300.3, the following types of entities are eligible to receive funding assistance from EDA: 1. District Organizations (as defined in 13 C.F.R. § 300.3); 2. Indian Tribes or a consortium of Indian Tribes; 3. States, cities, or other political subdivisions of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; 4. Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or 5. Public or private non-profit organizations or associations acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice FY21-23_Planning_and_LTA_NOFO_-_Updates_for_EDGE_-_March_2023.pdf (24 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Award size and project length
Award amounts here are per year · p. 13
“In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.414(f), an applicant that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (unless the applicant is a state or local unit of…” Open page 13
Registrations you need first (3)
Grants.gov · p. 11
“It is recommended that applicants set up a Grants.gov account and subscribe to this funding opportunity in order to be notified of any updates or changes to this NOFO.” Open page 11
SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 14
“Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) To enable the use of a universal identifier and to enhance the quality of information available to the public as required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006,…” Open page 14
EDA EDGE · p. 23
“Instructions for Application Submission via EDGE The most up-to-date instructions for application submission via EDGE can be found at sfgrants.eda.gov. 1.” Open page 23
Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
What to submit
Letters of support or commitment · p. 10
“(i) be committed to the project for the period of performance, (ii) be available as needed, and (iii) not be conditioned or encumbered in any way that may preclude its use consistent with the requirements of EDA investment assistance.9 To meet these…” Open page 10
Budget narrative / justification · p. 10
“Examples of in-kind contributions can include space, equipment, or professional services.11 To allow EDA to verify the value of in-kind matching share, the applicant should document the value of in-kind contributions in a matching share commitment letter…” Open page 10
Form SF-424 · p. 12
“One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) from each co-applicant, as applicable. 2.” Open page 12
Form SF-424A · p. 12
“One Form SF-424A (Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs). 3.” Open page 12
Form ED-900 · p. 12
“This should be attached to Form ED-900 (section B.10.d of Form ED-900 as of the date of publication of this NOFO). 5.” Open page 12
Form ED-900A · p. 12
“One Form ED-900A (Additional EDA Assurances for Construction or Non— Construction Investments) from each co-applicant, as applicable. 7.” Open page 12
Form CD-511 · p. 12
“One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) from each co-applicant, as applicable. 8.” Open page 12
Form SF-LLL · p. 12
“One Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) from each co-applicant, as applicable.” Open page 12
Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 13
“However, EDA will be alert to extraordinary circumstances that would require an EIS or an EA for activities funded under this NOFO, and EDA may require an applicant to submit additional information related to environmental review. c) Copy of Negotiated…” Open page 13
Environmental documentation · p. 13
“However, EDA will be alert to extraordinary circumstances that would require an EIS or an EA for activities funded under this NOFO, and EDA may require an applicant to submit additional information related to environmental review. c) Copy of Negotiated…” Open page 13
Mistakes that get applications rejected (2)
Not an eligible applicant: Additionally, individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for awards under this Planning and... · p. 2
“Additionally, individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for awards under this Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs NOFO; requests from such entities will not be considered for funding.” Open page 2
Not an eligible applicant: Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for awards under this Planning and Local Technical... · p. 8
“Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for awards under this Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs NOFO; requests from such entities will not be considered for funding. 2.” Open page 8
Who in Tennessee has won this program
21 awards to Tennessee groups in 10 counties since 2017. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Putnam County | $560K | 2017 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $329K | 2022 |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Putnam County | $329K | 2022 |
| Midsouth Development District | Memphis, Shelby County | $225K | 2024 |
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | $221K spent that year | 2025 |
| Upper Cumberland Development District | Cookeville, Putnam County | $216K spent that year | 2025 |
| Greater Nashville Regional Council | Nashville, Davidson County | $210K | 2024 |
| Southwest Tennessee Development District | Jackson, Madison County | $210K | 2024 |
| East Tennessee Development District | Alcoa, Blount County | $210K | 2025 |
| Northwest Tennessee Development District, Inc | Martin, Weakley County | $210K | 2024 |
| Midsouth Development District | Memphis, Shelby County | $210K | 2024 |
| First Tennessee Development District | Johnson City, Washington County | $210K | 2024 |
Source: USAspending.gov, Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
About the federal program
Economic Development Support for Planning Organizations, also called “Planning Investments and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies”
Program number 11.302 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration · Project grant
How applications are judged
In addition to evaluating applications based on EDA's mission, funding priorities, and the evaluation criteria laid out in the applicable FFO, EDA also considers:
(1) The proposed scope of work for the development, implementation, revision or replacement of the CEDS, or the relation of the CEDS to the proposed short-term planning activities or the State plan;
(2) The qualifications of the applicant to implement the goals and objectives resulting from the CEDS, short-term planning activities or the State plan;
(3) The involvement of the Region's business leadership at each stage of the preparation of the CEDS, short-term planning activities or State plan;
(4) The extent of broad-based representation and involvement of the Region's civic, business, labor, minority and other interests in the proposed economic development activities; and
(5) The feasibility of the proposed scope of work to create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs through implementation of the CEDS.
In addition, for continuation awards, funded recipients are evaluated on the basis of the extent
of continuing economic distress within the Region, their past performance, and the overall effectiveness of their
CEDS.
For Planning Investment awards to a State, EDA will also consider the extent to which the State will integrate and coordinate its CEDS with local and Economic Development District plans.
Match
Generally, the amount of the EDA grant may not exceed 60 percent of the total cost of the project. Projects may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed 30 percent, based on the relative needs of the region in which the project will be located, as determined by EDA.
In addition, EDA�s regulations allow an investment rate of up to 100 percent for Indian tribes, for a State or political subdivision of a State that can document that it has exhausted its effective taxing and borrowing capacity, or for a non-profit organization that can document that it has exhausted its borrowing capacity.
About the federal program
Economic Development Technical Assistance
Program number 11.303 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration · Project grant
How applications are judged
The evaluation criteria are set forth in the applicable NOFO.
Match
EDA encourages cost sharing, and applications that include matching funds may be more competitive than those that do not. Generally, the amount of an EDA award may not exceed 60 percent of the total cost of the project. However, for RNTA awards, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (Assistant Secretary) has the discretion to establish a maximum Investment Rate of up to 100 percent where the project: (i) Merits, and is not otherwise feasible without, an increase to the Investment Rate; or (ii) Will be of no or only incidental benefit to the Eligible Recipient.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: Local TA projects: https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/local-technical-assistance