blog.phillipsecd.comPhillips Economic Development Solutions | Information and commentary on economic & community develop

Phillips Economic Development Solutions | Information and commentary on economic & community development issues Phillips Economic Development Solutions Information and commentary on economic & community development issues My Business My LinkedIn IEDC Economic Development Basics Disaster/Disruption Planning ← Older posts TIGER grants replaced by BUILD grants for local/regional transportation infrastructure Posted on May 9, 2018 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD From U.S. Department of Transportation press release: U.S. Department of Transportation Launches BUILD Transportation Program, Announces $1.5 Billion Notice of Funding Opportunity WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. BUILD Transportation grants replace the pre-existing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. As the Administration looks to enhance America’s infrastructure, FY 2018 BUILD Transportation grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. BUILD funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation. BUILD Transportation grants will help communities revitalize their surface transportation systems while also increasing support for rural areas to ensure that every region of our country benefits,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. Projects for BUILD will be evaluated based on merit criteria that include safety, economic competitiveness, quality of life, environmental protection, state of good repair, innovation, partnership, and additional non-Federal revenue for future transportation infrastructure investments. To reflect the Administration’s Infrastructure Initiative, DOT intends to award a greater share of BUILD Transportation grant funding to projects located in rural areas that align well with the selection criteria than to such projects in urban areas. The notice highlights rural needs in several of the evaluation criteria, including support for rural broadband deployment where it is part of an eligible transportation project. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 made available $1.5 billion for National Infrastructure Investments, otherwise known as BUILD Transportation Discretionary grants, through September 30, 2020. For this round of BUILD Transportation grants, the maximum grant award is $25 million, and no more than $150 million can be awarded to a single State, as specified in the FY 2018 Appropriations Act. At least 30 percent of funds must be awarded to projects located in rural areas. To provide technical assistance to a broad array of stakeholders, DOT is hosting a series of webinars during the FY 2018 BUILD grant application process. A webinar on how to compete for BUILD Transportation Grants for all applicants will be held on Thursday, May 24; a webinar for rural and tribal applicants will be held on Tuesday, May 29; and a webinar on how to prepare a benefit cost analysis for a BUILD application will be held on Thursday, May 31. All webinars will take place from 2:00-4:00 PM EDT. Details and registration information regarding these webinars will be made available at www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants/outreach . The Department will schedule additional webinars on these topics in June. The deadline to submit an application for the FY 2018 BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants program is July 19, 2018. For more information, please visit www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants . Posted in infrastructure , Transportation | Comments Off on TIGER grants replaced by BUILD grants for local/regional transportation infrastructure Happy Economic Development Week! Posted on May 6, 2018 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD This week has been designated as Economic Development Week to recognize the hard work economic developers accomplish to make their communities stronger and to highlight the importance of an organized economic development effort to the wealth and sustainability of our communities. Since 2016, more than 500 individual Economic Development Week celebrations have been officially recognized by mayors, governors and federal agencies across the United States and Canada. I bet Hallmark already has a card for Economic Development Week. Posted in economic development | Comments Off on Happy Economic Development Week! An update on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds Posted on April 24, 2018 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD The first deadline for designation of Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds have passed and the U.S. Department of Treasury has begun evaluating and officially designating Opportunity Zones. You may check out the status of Opportunity Zone designations on an interactive map located online . You will need to zoom in to the area of interest and click on the layers button in the menu (the icon looks like a stack of papers) and be sure that the box for Opportunity Zone Tract Designated ” is clicked. For more information on Opportunity Zone and Opportunity Funds, click on the link below: Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds – Another Economic Tool for Your Community? Posted in economic development incentives | Comments Off on An update on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds Have your quality in economic development programs recognized by your peers Posted on April 23, 2018 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD Wouldn’t it be great to have your quality in economic development programs recognized by your peers to prove your value to your stakeholders? The IEDC 2018 Excellence in Economic Development Awards application deadline quickly approaching on May 11, 2018. International Economic Development Council’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. These 34 awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Winners are recognized at IEDC’s Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia to be held September 30th to October 3rd. What Can an IEDC Award Offer Your Organization? IEDC is the world’s largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Recipients of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards demonstrate to our experienced panel of judges that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession. We recognize the most successful, innovative, and effective leaders, programs, partnerships, and promotional materials. Award recipients gain valuable publicity and exposure among their peers in the economic development field, media, and prospects. Raise the visibility of your organization – apply for an Excellence in Economic Development award today! Applications must be postmarked by May 11, 2018 to meet the final deadline. For more information, go to www.iedcevents.org/Atlanta/Awards.html . Posted in economic development leadership | Comments Off on Have your quality in economic development programs recognized by your peers Retail Development Event for Tennessee and Kentucky Posted on April 17, 2018 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD The 2018 ICSC Tennessee/Kentucky Idea Exchange will be held on Monday, July 23rd and Tuesday, July 24th in Louisville, Kentucky. This is always a great event to learn more about retail development and the latest trends in attracting new retailers and developers to your community. I have attended larger events held by the International Council of Shopping Centers, but if you are working for a community in these states, attendance is certainly worth...