EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental NOFO.pdf

Key Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Information

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) FY 2025 EDA Disaster Supplemental

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Initial Announcement

Grants.gov Opportunity Number

EDA-DISASTER-2025

Assistance Listing Number

(ALN)

11.307, Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA)

Effective Date June 4, 2025 Key Dates

Key dates under this NOFO depend on whether an applicant is submitting an application under the Readiness, Implementation, or Industry Transformation Paths (see section A.2 of this NOFO for more information on each path).

For applications submitted under the Readiness and Implementation Paths, there are no submission deadlines. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing (rolling) basis until the replacement of this FY2025 Disaster NOFO, cancellation of this NOFO, or all available funds have been expended. EDA intends to review applications expeditiously upon receipt of a complete application.

The deadline for applications submitted under the Industry Transformation Path is 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 3.

Industry Transformation applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered. another

Funding Instrument Grant or cooperative agreement. In most cases, assistance will be in the form of a grant.

Funding Details $1,447,000,000 Program Overview

Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this NOFO will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.) (Stafford Act) “as a result of hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.”

Cost Sharing and Matching

EDA generally expects to fund up to 80% of the eligible costs under this NOFO. However, EDA has discretion to fund projects at a rate lower than 80% or up to 100% in certain circumstances. See section C.3 and Appendix III.1.

Eligible Projects

EDA can support a variety of construction and non-construction projects. Contact your local EDA Economic Development Representative to explore your project further. For contact information, see https://www.eda.gov/about/contact (searchable by state).

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants under the FY25 Disaster program include a(n):

• District organization of an EDA-designated Economic

Development District (EDD);

• Indian tribe or a consortium of Indian tribes;

• State, county, city, or other political subdivision 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,

• institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education;

• public or private nonprofit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a state;

• an economic development organization; or

• a public-private partnership for public infrastructure.

EDA is not authorized to provide grants or cooperative agreements to individuals or for-profit entities under this NOFO. Applications from individuals or for-profit entities will not be considered for funding.

Review and Selection Process

After technical review, EDA will convene investment review committees (IRC) to evaluate the merits of each application based on the extent to which the application meets program specific award and application requirements set forth in section E.2. Thereafter, the Selecting Official will make selections in accordance with the selection criteria set forth in section E.3.

Award Project Period

EDA anticipates awards will typically have a period of performance of 12 to 48 months. Note: Readiness Path projects may have substantially shorter durations, depending on applicant needs.

How to Apply

Applications will only be accepted electronically through the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) at https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/.

See the full NOFO for limited exceptions.

Informational Webinar

EDA plans to conduct an informational webinar for this NOFO. Please visit EDA’s website for scheduling information and a link to a recording:

https://www.eda.gov/.

Award Notification

Subject to the availability of funding, EDA will notify successful applicants of their awards electronically.

Agency Contacts

For questions concerning this NOFO, including requests for technical assistance with application requirements, please contact the Economic Development Representative for the state where the project will be located as listed on EDA’s website at https://www.eda.gov/about/contact (searchable by state).

https://www.eda.gov/about/contact https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/ https://www.eda.gov/ https://www.eda.gov/about/contact

Contents

A. Program Description

1. Overview

2. Funding Pathways

a. Readiness Path

b. Implementation Path

c. Industry Transformation Path

3. Considerations when selecting a path

4. Which projects are ineligible under this Disaster NOFO?

5. EDA’s investment priorities; economic recovery resilience investment priority

6. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Requirement

7. Statutory Authorities

B. Basic Federal Award Information

1. What funding is available under this funding opportunity?

2. What funding instrument will be used? What are the anticipated award amounts and how long will the period of performance of a project last?

3. Who do I contact with questions?

C. Eligibility and Other Program Requirements

1. What entities are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

2. What locations are eligible for this funding opportunity?

3. What are the cost sharing or matching requirements?

4. What are the prohibitions and restrictions for using award funds and match?

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Where can I find and submit an application?

2. What is required for an application?

3. Are there any submission deadlines?

E. Application Review and Selection Processes

1. Technical Review

2. Investment Review Committee (IRC)

a. Readiness Path projects

b. Implementation Path projects (construction and non-construction)

c. Industry Transformation Path portfolios (construction and non-construction)

3. Selecting Official’s Decision

F. EDGE SYSTEMS ISSUES

G. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

H. Appendices

APPENDIX I – Required Application Narratives

1. READINESS PATH - Impact and Engagement Narrative Requirements

2. IMPLEMENTATION PATH - Impact and Engagement Narrative Requirements

3. INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION PATH - Overarching Narrative Requirements

APPENDIX II – Investment/Policy Commitments Requirements [if applicable]

APPENDIX III – Additional Information on Application, Policy, and Legal Requirements

1. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirements

2. Pre-award costs

3. EDA’s non-relocation policy

4. Past performance and non-compliance with award provisions

5. Notice of government-wide procurement restriction

6. Requirements for recipients with more than $10 million in federal-wide funding

7. Financial, performance, and outcomes reports

8. Funding opportunity changes communicated on Grants.gov

9. Application package and submission

10. EDGE system issues

11. Alternatives to Submission through EDGE

12. Audit requirements

13. Build America, Buy America requirements

14. Certifications required by annual appropriations acts for corporations and for awards over $5 million

15. Disclosures of information

16. Disclosures of violations

17. Projects with EDA’s substantial involvement

18. Federal award notices

19. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006

20. Fraud awareness training

21. Freedom of Information Act

22. Right to use information

23. General terms and conditions

24. Government Performance and Results Act

25. Incubators and accelerators requirements

26. Office of Inspector General (OIG) rights and responsibilities

27. SPOC Compliance

28. Third party subrecipient vs. contractors

29. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements ... 66

30. DOC pre-award notification requirements

31. Termination

A. Program Description

1. Overview

President Trump is committed to unleashing the potential of the American economy, affording all Americans the opportunity to pursue their version of the American dream. However, nature often has other plans when damaging storms and unforeseen destructive natural disasters occur. This Administration champions an America First platform, and that extends to Americans needing assistance due to natural disasters. This Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Notice of Funding Opportunity (Disaster NOFO) responds to that call and aims to seize the moment to support impacted communities to transform their local economies in new, vibrant ways.

As a result, this Disaster NOFO is different than those of previous Administrations. This NOFO seeks projects that are responsive to community needs post-disaster by engaging all aspects of the community, with special focus on private industry partners. No longer can economic development grants be made by bureaucrats in isolation. This NOFO places a considerable emphasis on private sector buy-in and investment as a critical indicator of project viability.

Through this Disaster NOFO, EDA will award investments in regions experiencing severe economic distress or other economic harm resulting from hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.

Under this Disaster NOFO, EDA is specifically soliciting applications under its Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, which is flexible and responsive to the economic development needs and priorities of local and regional stakeholders.1 The EAA program is well-suited to help regions recover from disasters, achieve economic development goals, and improve their economic trajectories.

This Disaster NOFO provides funding through three pathways:

Readiness Path – Standalone non-construction projects designed to increase a community’s readiness to apply for or implement disaster recovery funding from private and public sources including, but not limited to, future EDA NOFOs and the Implementation or Industry Transformation Paths under this NOFO. Projects will fund strategy development, capacity building, and/or predevelopment costs necessary for future recovery projects.

1 See 42 U.S.C. §§ 3149(c)(2), 3233. The regulations implementing the EAA program may be found at 13 CFR part 307. Please note that section 307.3 of EDA’s regulations describes the differences between an EAA implementation grant and an EAA strategy grant. See also 42 U.S.C. § 3149(b)(2) (EAA planning projects are not required to be carried out in an area with a CEDS or be consistent with an existing CEDS).

Implementation Path – Standalone construction or non-construction projects designed to address the economic challenges faced by a community recovering from a natural disaster and improve economic trajectories beyond pre-disaster economic conditions.

Industry Transformation Path – Led by a coalition of regional stakeholders, a portfolio of large-scale, multicomponent construction and non-construction projects designed to fundamentally transform the economic trajectory of a region through the development or acceleration of an industry.

The sections below provide information about each path.

Applicants are expected to articulate in their applications how an EDA investment will bolster their community’s capacity to recover from economic harm due to natural disasters and improve their long-term economic outlook. EDA’s goal under this NOFO is to assist communities recovering from a disaster by realizing opportunities to recover and change the economic trajectory of the community for the better. In other words, EDA funding seeks to help communities recover and set them on a path to exceed their previous pre-disaster baseline.

If intending to apply for Readiness Path funding before other paths, Readiness Path applicants should prioritize submitting applications as early as possible and provide details regarding their anticipated follow-on funding request in their Impact and Engagement Narrative.

Applicants should review and follow Appendix I, which sets forth the required application materials, additional narrative requirements, and other standard forms necessary under each funding Path.

Applicants are encouraged to review this NOFO in its entirety, including appendices, and work with the Economic Development Representative or other EDA representative for the state where the project will be located. See EDA’s website at https://www.eda.gov/about/contact (searchable by state).

2. Funding Pathways

a. Readiness Path “Readiness” projects are non-construction planning and capacity building projects designed to increase a community’s readiness to apply for and/or implement future disaster recovery funding, including future local, state, or federal funding for disaster recovery and if applicable, Implementation or Industry Transformation funding under this NOFO. Put another way, successful projects under the Readiness Path would increase the quality or likelihood of success of future economic development and disaster recovery projects.

EDA expects to fund projects under the Readiness Path in the range of $250,000 to $500,000.

Examples of Readiness Path applications include, but are not limited to:

• Strategy Development: Applicants can request funding for short-term or long-term strategic planning. These grants enable communities to better identify and prepare for future economic development projects through early coordination and planning. For example, where a community already has a strong strategic plan for economic development, it may be appropriate to apply for a short-term strategy grant focused on helping the community identify viable recovery projects for future funding, including but not limited to the Implementation or Industry Transformation Paths under this NOFO.

Conversely, where a community needs more foundational help developing a long- term economic development strategy in the wake of a disaster, it may be more appropriate for the applicant to seek a long-term strategy grant in the form of a planning grant to develop, update, or refine a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

• Capacity Building: Applicants may seek funding for additional capacity (including staffing capacity) to successfully develop and implement economic recovery and resilience strategies and projects. Increased capacity enables communities to strengthen organizational structures and build a solid foundation to implement future funding and projects. For example, an organization may benefit from hiring a disaster coordinator to lead future project development, community engagement, industry engagement, and/or implementation of future recovery projects.

• Predevelopment Costs: Applicants may submit requests for costs related to the development of future disaster recovery projects, including but not limited to applications under the Implementation and Industry Transformation Paths of this NOFO, if funding remains available. Such costs can include but are not limited to:

o costs for site selection and assessment, including for projects focused on reshoring manufacturing;

o architectural and engineering plans;

o permit applications, including environmental compliance or permitting; and o market or industry research and analysis for larger economic development projects.

Applicants can propose activities in one or more categories.

Readiness Path applicants will be required to submit an impact and engagement narrative that clearly articulates how the proposed readiness project helps the applicant or the impacted communities become more competitive, more mature, and better prepared to receive or implement future economic and disaster recovery funding. For example, short-term readiness projects such as funding a disaster coordinator or funding pre-development engineering plans could better prepare an applicant to develop or finalize a potential project, including but not limited to projects proposed under the Implementation Path or Industry Transformation Path. In contrast, a long-term planning grant that establishes a region-wide disaster recovery strategy could make a region more competitive for future EDA recovery NOFOs or other funding sources.

b. Implementation Path

“Implementation" projects encompass a wide variety of construction and non-construction projects to not only help communities recover from natural disasters but also to improve communities’ economic outcomes and ultimately put them on a path to exceed their previous pre-disaster economic conditions. These investments ensure communities can better withstand future natural disasters and generate new economic benefits for the region, which includes increasing future-focused opportunities for economic growth and industry investment.

Under this Path, EDA can support projects that will mitigate or prevent the impacts of future disaster events, and fund the replacement, repair, or upgrades to critical public infrastructure that was damaged or destroyed by natural disasters subject to a major disaster declaration and that are critical to the restoration of sustained economic activity. EDA will also fund projects that lead to the further diversification of the local economy through the development or acceleration of industries.

EDA expects to fund Implementation projects in the range of $2 million to $20 million for construction and $100,000 to $5 million for non-construction. The amount EDA will fund for an individual Implementation project will depend on the relative impacts the disaster had on the community as well as the private investment projected to be generated by the project or the jobs created/retained. These are not hard caps, but instead estimates of EDA’s expectations.

EDA may deviate from these estimates, including by funding projects greater than $20 million, in cases of exceptional need and/or exceptional potential impact.

Examples of implementation projects that EDA can support under this NOFO include, but are not limited to:

• Construction or upgrading of public infrastructure, including improvements to make these facilities more resilient to natural disasters, including (but not limited to):

o Water systems and facilities (e.g., drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater) o Revitalization or expansion of aviation, port, and harbor facilities o Bridges o Railway spurs and extensions o Business incubators and industrial parks o Communications systems, including broadband

• Construction or expansion of workforce training facilities at a local community college or trade/technical school

• Costs associated with establishment or expansion of workforce training programs including Registered Apprenticeship Programs, including the procurement of necessary equipment

• Capitalization or recapitalization of revolving loan funds (RLFs)

• Development or expansion of commercialization and proof of concept centers

• Activities intended to create or expand foreign direct investment, trade, or export initiatives

• Activities intended to spur or accelerate large-scale industry investment

Strong Implementation Path projects will result in tailored disaster recovery solutions that not only address the recovery needs of the impacted communities but generate additional private and public investment to propel the regional economy forward and generate new businesses and jobs. That said, recognizing the level of distress that communities may face in the wake of disasters, Implementation Path projects are not required to generate new jobs or private investment. Implementation Path projects can also be competitive by showing that their project will positively impact other measures for economic growth (including, for example, growing the tax base or increasing the labor force participation rate from pre-disaster rates).

Implementation Path applicants will be required to submit an Impact and Engagement Narrative with their application. Applicants must clearly articulate how the proposed implementation project not only helps communities recover but also improves the community’s economic outcomes and ultimately puts the community on a trajectory to exceed their previous pre-disaster economic conditions.

Applicants are asked to clearly define in the Impact and Engagement Narrative their pre-disaster and post-disaster economic conditions and should consider (but are not limited to) including measures such as:

• Jobs created, retained, or lost

• Businesses created, retained, or lost

• Average wages by sector or position

• Labor Force Participation Rate

• County GDP

• Primary sectors, industries, businesses

• Unemployment rate

• Change in tax base

In addition to the required match, applicants are encouraged to secure investment and policy commitments to support and catalyze their proposed project(s) outcomes. Applicants are not limited to securing financial commitments but should think creatively about other types of public and private sector contributions (e.g., tax benefits). See Appendix II for more details.

c. Industry Transformation Path

“Industry Transformation portfolios” are 3 to 5 large-scale, coordinated construction and/or non-construction component projects, led by an overarching coalition, that together aim to transform the regional economy by developing or accelerating a key industry in communities impacted by major natural disasters.

EDA seeks to invest in disaster-impacted regions that are mature and ready to grow, will scale nascent or emerging industries, and will catalyze awarded funding and substantial private or public sector investments to achieve regional economic growth and fortify the region’s economy against future disasters. EDA further expects these large-scale coordinated investments will:

• Accelerate post-disaster economic recovery through job creation, business development, and innovation

• Multiply federal dollar impact through leveraged private investment

• Enhance private sector engagement in regional economic growth and diversification

• Increase regional participation and competition in domestic and global markets

• Alleviate and disrupt local persistent poverty through training and employment opportunities, including through the Registered Apprenticeship Programs (www.apprenticeship.gov).

• Activities intended to spur or accelerate large-scale industry investment

Portfolio goals could include scaling nascent or emerging industries, reimagining the use of assets within existing industries, or creating a new sector or sectors based on regional assets.

Given the ambitious nature of these investments, EDA expects to fund portfolios in the range of $20 million to $50 million. Industry Transformation Path regions can propose any of the project types described under the Implementation Path, but EDA expects Industry Transformation portfolios to collaborate cohesively towards establishing or accelerating the growth of industry or industries that diversify and accelerate the region’s economic trajectory.

Strong applicants will create effective, organized coalitions that include key regional stakeholders that are united around an overarching strategy and vision for the targeted key industry. EDA expects coalitions to have a strong management and governance plan to ensure effective implementation of the projects and to sustain their overarching strategy and vision beyond the grant period. These coalitions must include private sector partners and may include other entities such as institutions of higher education (including community colleges and technical schools); state, territorial, local, or Tribal governments; economic development organizations; workforce training organizations (including unions, state and local workforce development boards, etc.); or community-based organizations. Please note that while EDA strongly encourages and anticipates coalitions with a wide variety of engaged stakeholders, including from the private sector, only eligible applicants (see section C.1) may apply for and receive grant funds as recipients.

In addition to the required match, applicants are required to secure investment and policy commitments to support and catalyze their proposed project(s) outcomes. Applicants are not limited to securing financial commitments but should think creatively about other types of contributions (e.g., tax benefits). Applicants should carefully review Appendix II for more information about requirements related to investment and policy commitments. As described more in Appendix II, investment commitments involve cash or in-kind goods or services contributed by a third party to the project while policy commitments are new policies or http://www.apprenticeship.gov/ programming designed to accelerate their target industry’s growth and economic recovery (e.g., changes to local regulations, strategies to increase the number of high-skilled workers retained in the region, etc.).

Although EDA recommends 3 - 5 large-scale projects, EDA can consider on a case-by-case basis projects with fewer or more component projects, provided that the coalition structures are otherwise in place and the projects are vital to a compelling strategy for the region and deliver considerable impact.2

Finally, EDA will expect that the projects funded under this path will collectively lead to greater impacts in business attraction, jobs created, wage growth or private investment generated than is anticipated under the Implementation Path. EDA’s goal is to attract competitive projects under the Industry Transformation Path that credibly show the ability to generate substantial private sector investments and commitments in a region as compared to initial EDA investment.

Projects that approach that range will be viewed as more competitive.

EDA encourages applicants to propose the interventions that are most applicable to their regions. Below are a few illustrative examples of how component projects could work together under the Industry Transformation Path. These illustrative examples are intended only as a reference for applicants as they are developing ideas for their Industry Transformation Path applications.

• Scaling a semiconductor manufacturing corridor through funding: (1) expansion of a non-profit’s existing advanced packaging facility, to scale production, (2) installation of new advanced packaging machinery and equipment in an existing local government-owned facility to boost efficiency, (3) development of real-time digital twin of advanced packaging facility and semiconductor production line, (4) scaling of workforce development training program across region to upskill talent for semiconductor manufacturing through industry intermediaries expanding access to Registered Apprenticeships, and (5) creation network of coalition participants and industry leaders to address industry needs collectively.

• Expand and accelerate maritime industry by funding: (1) expansion of key transportation corridors and roadways to increase trade and bolster regional supply chains, (2) upgrade of port infrastructure to increase capacity and facilitate additional local ship building and repair, (3) creation of marine technology and maritime workforce development training programs to meet industry need for additional highly skilled workers, (4) purchase and implementation of new barge service to increase efficiency and reduce costs for resource transportation regionally, and (5) collaboration with local community colleges system to expand degree programs on marine engineering, marine transportation, and maritime management to bolster regional talent pipeline.

2 EDA reserves right to move a component project proposed under the Industry Transformation Path to the Implementation Path in the event that the Industry Transformation portfolio is not going to be funded holistically.

• Create a regional food system within a multi-county region by investing in: (1) new construction of a publicly-owned regional advanced food processing facility; (2) acquisition of advanced food processing equipment and technology; (3) expansion of public transportation infrastructure (including rail, ports, and regional airport) to facilitate the transport of regionally-sourced raw materials to the processing plant and finished products from the processing plant to market; (4) acquisition and rehabilitation of regional food system workforce training center; and (5) acquisition of relevant technology and other equipment for workforce training courses.

The deadline for applications submitted under the Industry Transformation Path is 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

For more information on applying for the Industry Transformation Path, please see Appendix I.3.

3. Considerations when selecting a path

a. How does the Readiness Path interact with the Implementation and/or Industry Transformation Paths? Must I seek Readiness funding in order to compete under the other Paths?

No, applicants are not required to seek Readiness funding before applying for Implementation or Industry Transformation funding. The Readiness Path is designed to meet the community where it is and move the community towards its economic development goals. An eligible applicant may apply for Readiness funding standing alone if it needs assistance with planning, capacity, or pre-development costs.

Readiness funding can also help a region get ready to apply for the Implementation Path or Industry Transformation Path, or for other types of assistance, including state, local, private, or other federal sources of assistance. However, if a region or eligible entity already has projects that it feels are competitive under the Implementation or Industry Transformation Paths, it does not have to participate in the Readiness Path. In other words, the Readiness Path is not a prerequisite to any other Path.

In addition, some projects under the Paths may overlap. For example, if a community needs capacity to support an infrastructure project, the applicant may want to apply at the same time for both a Readiness project and an Implementation construction project, and EDA may award both grants concurrently.

b. Is there a disadvantage to participating in the Readiness Path? If I have to get a grant under the Readiness Path before I am ready to apply for the other Paths, how will I know if funding will still be available for those Paths?

While EDA may review projects and select them for funding on a rolling basis, EDA is aware that some regions or applicants may need Readiness Path funding to be competitive for the Implementation or Industry Transformation Paths. As such, subject to available funds, EDA will work to reserve some funding for later in the process to ensure that every region or applicant is fairly evaluated.

c. How do I decide whether to apply for an Implementation grant or an Industry Transformation grant? Will I lose the opportunity to apply for an Implementation project if my Industry Transformation application is not selected for award?

In the event that EDA does not fund an Industry Transformation application. EDA, at its sole discretion, may fund individual component projects of that application under the Implementation Path. Please do not apply concurrently for duplicate projects under any Path under this NOFO.

4. Which projects are ineligible under this Disaster NOFO?

Some projects are generally ineligible under this NOFO, including projects that are primarily residential in nature (e.g., housing), projects to create community amenities (e.g., swimming pools, zoos, recreational centers), projects that support casinos or gaming, projects that support general governmental functions (see 2 CFR § 200.444), and requests for funding to supplement operating budgets or replace lost revenue (including lost tax revenue). Applicants who are unsure whether their proposed project is eligible under this NOFO should contact their state or territory’s Economic Development Representative (EDR) for assistance. EDR contact information is available on EDA’s website and organized according to regional office:

www.eda.gov/about/contact.

5. EDA’s investment priorities; economic recovery resilience investment priority

EDA has five investment priorities:

• Critical infrastructure

• Workforce

• Innovation and entrepreneurship http://www.eda.gov/about/contact

• Economic recovery resilience

• Manufacturing

To be considered for funding under this NOFO, each project must be consistent with EDA’s economic recovery resilience investment priority. EDA defines “economic recovery resilience” as:

Economic development planning or implementation projects that enhance the ability of an area to withstand and recover from adverse short-term or long-term changes in economic conditions, including effects from industry contractions or economic impacts from natural disasters.

In section B.4 of the Form ED-900 (discussed below in section D.2), the applicant should explain how their project is consistent with the economic recovery resilience investment priority.

More information about EDA’s investment priorities can be found at www.eda.gov/funding/investment-priorities. EDA’s website will be updated to reflect any Congressionally approved revisions to the investment priorities, as applicable.

6. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Requirement

Except for a recovery strategy grant funded under the Readiness Path as described in section A.2.a of this NOFO, each project funded under this Disaster NOFO must be consistent with the region’s current CEDS. If a CEDS does not exist for the region, the project must be consistent with an equivalent regional economic development strategy that EDA has determined meets the agency’s CEDS or strategy requirements. In addition, if a project under the Industry Transformation Path intends to affect an area that encompasses multiple CEDS, the project should identify how the project is consistent with a broader multi-region strategy, which may include showing consistency with multiple CEDS.

Through section D.3 of Form ED-900, applicants must:

• Identify the regional CEDS.

• If there is no CEDS, attach the relevant alternative strategic planning document (often referred to as the CEDS-equivalent plan).

In addition to the instructions in the Form ED-900 itself, through section D.4 of the Form ED-900, applicants should:

• Clearly detail how the proposed project will align with and support the economic development needs and objectives outlined in the CEDS (or CEDS-equivalent plan).

http://www.eda.gov/funding/investment-priorities

• Describe how the EDA investment will complement, leverage, or otherwise align with other public and private investments to accomplish the planned deliverables and outcomes.

In addition, in the Budget Narrative, applicants should indicate if other federal funds have been secured for, or have been requested to support, any portion of the project for which an EDA investment is proposed. Where other federal funding may be involved in the project, the applicant should provide the federal program name and contact information with their application to facilitate interagency coordination and avoid duplication of resources.

7. Statutory Authorities

The statutory authority for the EAA program is section 209 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. § 3149). The statutory authorization of supplemental appropriations for disaster economic recovery activities is section 703 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3233).

Applicant eligibility and program requirements are set forth in EDA’s regulations (codified at 13 CFR Chapter III), and all applicants must address these requirements. EDA’s regulations are accessible at the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) website, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-III.

B. Basic Federal Award Information

1. What funding is available under this funding opportunity?

Under the American Relief Act, 2025 (Division B, Title II of Pub. L. No. 118-158), Congress appropriated approximately $1,447,000,000 to EDA to support disaster economic recovery activities in areas that received a major disaster designation because of hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.3

For all other EDA program and investment opportunities, please review https://www.grants.gov (Grants.gov) or visit https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities.4

3 Congress appropriated $1,510,000,000 in total with up to 3% to cover EDA’s administrative and oversight expenses, $10,000,000 going to the Delta Regional Authority, and $7,000,000 going to the Department of Commerce’s Office of Inspector General.

4 If EDA determines that an application is eligible for funding under another EDA NOFO (e.g., the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance NOFO), EDA may at its sole discretion transfer the application for processing from https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-III https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/10545/text https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities

2. What funding instrument will be used? What are the anticipated award amounts and how long will the period of performance of a project last?

Funding instrument: EDA expects it will award most funds using grants but may award a cooperative agreement on a case-by-case basis if substantial agency involvement is required.

For a cooperative agreement, the nature of EDA’s “substantial involvement” (to be included in the terms and conditions of the award) will generally be collaboration between EDA and the recipient on the scope of work.

Anticipated award amounts: Under this NOFO EDA expects to award the following, but reserves the discretion to make awards outside of this range as circumstances allow:

Readiness Path:

• Non-construction awards that range between $250,000 to $500,000

Implementation Path:

• Non-construction awards that range between $100,000 and $5 million

• Construction awards that range between $2 million and $20 million

• EDA may deviate from these estimates, including funding projects greater than

$20 million, in cases of exceptional need and/or exceptional impact

Industry Transformation Path:

• A cluster of 3 to 5 non-construction and/or construction awards with a total funding level between $20 million and $50 million

Period of performance: The project period of performance depends on the nature of the project. In general, the period of performance for:

• Non-construction awards may range from 12 to 18 months with extensions considered on a case-by-case basis. For the Readiness Path, EDA anticipates that a shorter period of performance may be appropriate.

• Construction awards may range from 12 to 48 months with extensions considered on a case-by-case basis.

EDA will work closely with the recipients to accommodate their projected timelines within reason, as well as consistent with applicable regulations and grant policy allowances. EDA expects that all projects will proceed efficiently and expeditiously and encourages applicants to the original NOFO to another. EDA will document that the applicant is in compliance with the application requirements of the NOFO to which the application is transferred.

clearly document how quickly they will be able to start and complete the proposed project scope of work specified in section B of the Form ED-900.

See Appendix I for information about performance goals, indicators, targets, data collection and measurement, and other guidance pertaining to the projects and activities eligible under this Disaster NOFO.

3. Who do I contact with questions?

For questions concerning this funding opportunity, including requests for technical assistance with application requirements, please contact the appropriate Economic Development Representative or other EDA representative listed on EDA’s website at https://www.eda.gov/about/contact.

Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as individuals who have speech or communication disabilities may use a relay service to call the telephone numbers listed on or through the EDA’s website. To learn more about how to make an accessible telephone call to any of the numbers shown in this document, visit the webpage for the relay service of the Federal Communications Commission, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs.

C. Eligibility and Other Program Requirements

1. What entities are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligible applicants for economic recovery assistance under this Disaster NOFO include a(n):

• District organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD);

• Indian tribe or a consortium of Indian tribes;

• State,5 county, city, or other political subdivision 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;

• Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education;

• Public or private nonprofit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a state;

• An economic development organization; or

5 Under section 3(10) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122), the term “State” includes any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

https://www.eda.gov/about/contact https://www.fcc.gov/trs https://www.fcc.gov/trs https://www.fcc.gov/trs

• A public-private partnership for public infrastructure.

2. What locations are eligible for this funding opportunity?

A project must be located in, primarily serve, or demonstrably benefit one or more communities in areas that received a major disaster designation as a result of hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.

Consistent with 13 CFR parts 301 and 307, EDA will determine area eligibility pursuant to the applicable federal disaster declaration under the Stafford Act and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designation of areas as eligible for public assistance or individual assistance due to the declared disasters listed on FEMA’s website (www.fema.gov/disaster/).6

Using section C.1 of the Form ED-900, the applicant should clearly identify the location of the project and briefly detail how and why the proposed project benefits an eligible designated area (the applicant should provide further details about the project and how it will benefit the eligible designated area throughout the application, including using other sections of Form ED-900). EDA anticipates that most construction projects (including design and engineering) will be located in an eligible designated area. In exceptional circumstances under the Industry Transformation Path, EDA will consider funding construction component projects where the construction is located outside of an eligible designated area provided that substantial benefit accrues to, an eligible area or areas. For non-construction projects, the project’s scope of work must primarily benefit an eligible designated area, and stakeholders representing those areas must be directly engaged in the project.7

Only applications from eligible applicants and are located in or serve an eligible designated area will be considered. EDA will evaluate and select applications according to the evaluation criteria set forth in section E.2 of this NOFO.

3. What are the cost sharing or matching requirements?

Once applicant and area eligibility are established, EDA generally expects to fund up to 80% of the eligible costs of such assistance. In accordance with EDA’s statutory authority under section 703 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3233), EDA may increase the investment rate up to a maximum of 100%. In determining whether to increase the federal share above 80%, EDA’s Grants Officers will consider on a case-by-case basis whether the circumstances of the proposed project warrant a federal share in excess of 80%, including whether the applicant has exhausted its

6 “Designated area” means any jurisdiction (State, Local, Tribal, or Territorial) that is included under a major (i.e., Stafford Act) disaster declaration.

7 See also 13 CFR § 301.3(a).

http://www.fema.gov/disasters/ effective taxing or borrowing capacity, can otherwise document that no local matching funds are reasonably obtainable, or meets other thresholds for elevated need based on the overall economic situation of the region.

EDA may also establish a maximum investment rate of up to 100% for projects of Indian tribes.

Refer to Appendix III.1 for more information on cost sharing or matching requirements.

4. What are the prohibitions and restrictions for using award funds and match?

Some projects are generally ineligible under this funding opportunity, including projects that are primarily residential in nature (e.g., housing), projects to create community amenities (e.g., swimming pools, zoos, recreational centers), projects that support casinos or gaming, projects that support general governmental functions (see 2 CFR § 200.444), and requests for funding to supplement operating budgets or replace lost revenue (including lost tax revenue).

It is DOC policy that funds may not be used to pay for profits or management fees in excess of costs, unless statutorily authorized. Funds may not be used, directly or indirectly, to replace existing funds. Additionally, the use of project funds to make equity or hybrid investments in businesses is not an allowable cost.

Applicants who are unsure whether their proposed project or cost is eligible under this funding opportunity should consult the appropriate EDA Economic Development Representative for the state where the project will be located as listed on EDA’s website at https://www.eda.gov/about/contact (searchable by state).

See Appendix III.2 for more information about pre-award costs.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Where can I find and submit an application?

An applicant must obtain, complete, and submit a complete application electronically through the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) at https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/. For the Readiness and Infrastructure Paths, applications will be accepted on an ongoing (rolling) basis until the publication of a new Disaster Supplemental NOFO, cancellation of this Disaster Supplemental NOFO, or all available funds have been expended.

Before submitting an application under this funding opportunity, each applicant must register its organization with EDGE. Applicants should note that this process can be lengthy, requires interaction with multiple organizations (e.g., SAM.gov), and requires confirmation at each step.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.444 https://www.eda.gov/about/contact https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/ https://www.sam.gov/

Applicant organizations that have not previously completed any of these steps may require three to four weeks to accomplish these tasks. EDA strongly encourages prospective applicants to begin the pre-submission process as early as possible in the application period.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) Applicants are required to: (i) be registered in SAM; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in the application; (iii) make certain certifications (see also Appendix III.14 of this NOFO);

and (iv) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which they have an active federal award, or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. EDA may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time EDA is ready to make an award, EDA may determine that the applicant is not qualified. Recipients will be subject to reporting requirements, as identified in OMB guidance published at 2 CFR parts 25 and 170. All subrecipients must have a UEI before any subawards are made.

Refer to Appendix III.9 for important information on the form of application submission. Please also refer to Appendix III.9 for important information on the pre-submission process.

2. What is required for an application?

To successfully apply for funding, each applicant must determine which Path(s) they are seeking funding for and the type of project(s) they propose to fund (construction, non-construction, design and engineering, or RLF). To submit a complete application, all applicants should submit or complete the requirements in Table A (as applicable) and then find their proposed project type in Table B, and submit the relevant application forms and documents.

Table A below provides an overview of the documents necessary for an application under each Path. Depending on the path chosen, applicants will submit one or more project-specific packages. The contents of project-specific packages will depend on the type of project (e.g., construction or non-construction).

Table B below provides an overview of required documents for project-specific packages, broken out by whether the project is construction, non-construction, design and engineering, or RLF. An explanation of each required document is directly under Table B.

Due to the single-project nature of applications under the Readiness or Implementation Paths, applicants under those paths will only submit one project-specific package.