Pre-Bid Meeting Minutes_Ray St_Amended (1).pdf

City of Elizabeth City, NC I Ray St. at Brooks Ave. Water and Sewer Replacement

Ray St. at Brooks Ave. Water and Sewer Replacement City of Elizabeth City, NC ADDENDUM NO.1

Meeting Minutes – Pre-Bid Meeting Amended 3/31/2025

Ray Street at Brooks Avenue Water and Sewer Replacement Department of Public Utilities, City of Elizabeth City, NC

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting was held in person at 11:00 a.m. on March 6, 2025 at the City Hall of the City of Elizabeth City located 306 East Colonial Avenue, Elizabeth City for the above referenced project.

The following people were in attendance:

Name Organization Email Phone

Aaron Mickiewicz JMT (Engineer of Record) amickiewicz@jmt.com 757.552.1062

Randy Lassiter City of Elizabeth City rlassiter@elizabethcitync.gov 252.548.3665

Jonathan Hawley City of Elizabeth City jhawley@elizabethcitync.gov 252.621.7352

Dwan Bell City of Elizabeth City dbell@elizabethcitync.gov 252.337.6628

Stephanie Morris NCDEQ/DWI Stephanie.morris@deq.nc.gov 919.707.9196

Ben McPherson McPherson Enterprizes mcphersonent07@gmail.com 252.339.9441

Carl Johnson CMT carl@cmtcoatings.com 336.209.3667

Sean Robey ECC sean@easterncarolinainc.com 252.339.1745

In accordance with the Instructions to Bid requirements within the contract documents, the purpose of this mandatory pre-bid meeting was to have prospective bidders attend to be eligible for bid, discuss project requirements and to answer questions.

The following items were discussed:

1. Jonathan Hawley with the City of Elizabeth City called the meeting to order and introductions followed. Mr. Hawley provide an overview of the CDBG and City requirements and are enclosed herein with these minutes.

2. JMT provided a project overview of the work.

3. Sephanie Morris discussed CDBG requirements.

The following questions were asked and shall be included in Addendum No.1

4. Are the water service lines only to be copper? – No. Allowable service lines are provided on the Drawings and Contract Specifications. Galvanized steel is not allowed.

5. Is the new sanitary sewer alignment the same as the existing sewer? – Yes horizontally; however, lower in the vertical location. See Drawings Plan and Profile sheets.

6. Is a Section 3 plan provided within the Contract Specifications? – No. A section 3 plan will be provided in Addendum No. 1. The Prime Contractor shall fill out and submit with the bid.

7. How will certified payrolls be handled? – See Contract Specifications; Davis-Bacon Wage Determination and Standards Guide and HUD-4010 Federal Labor Standards Provisions for requirements.

8. What was the wage determination for this project? – Heavy Construction. See Contract Specifications Davis-Bacon Wage Determination “General Decision Number: NC20250069 01/03/2025”. Note: Unlisted classifications may be added. See aforementioned General Decision Number documentation.

City of Elizabeth City, NC I Ray St. at Brooks Ave. Water and Sewer Replacement

Ray St. at Brooks Ave. Water and Sewer Replacement City of Elizabeth City, NC

9. What is the project schedule for this project? – The work will be substantially completed within 300 days. Final Completion will be 365 days. See Contract Specifications Section “Agreement Between Owner and Contractor For Construction Contract – Page C-520”.

10. Do the new sanitary sewer precast concrete manholes require an interior epoxy coating? – Yes. A high build SikaGard 62 or Kaufman SurePoxy HiBild at 16 mils wet shall be applied by the precast company.

11. Is an insertion valve required? If so, it is recommended to provide an alternative bid item. – The use of an insertion valve will be verified during construction. See Bid Form Item No. 12. Please provide a unit price for the bid.

12. What will be the cut-off date and time for questions? – Questions are due no later than March 20, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

13. Can the 2” of Type I 19B intermediate course be replaced with 2” of Type 9.5A surface course? – This request is not allowed. Provide pavement section as shown on the drawings or provide a 2-layer pavement system with 2” of Type 9.5A and 8” of Aggregate Base.

AMENDED RESPONSE: This request is allowed. See Note #10 on Sheet 1 of 9.

14. Are new meter setters required? – Yes. See Drawings 5 – 7 of 9.

15. Are new water meters required? – Yes. City of Elizabeth City will provide. Note: New water meters will be AMI type and will require coordination with the City of Elizabeth City.

16. Can 2-inch milling be replaced with 2-inch overlay? – This request is allowed. Overlay shall be performed in accordance with NCDOT standards 2018.

The above represents a true and accurate account of the discussion during this meeting to the best of my knowledge. If there are any conflicts, misrepresentations, or omissions with the above statements, please contact the undersigned.

3/31/2025

____________________________________ 3/14/2025 _

Aaron Mickiewicz, P.E.

Enclosures:

City of Elizabeth City Grant Requirements.

Pre-Bid Meeting Sign-in Sheet.

Copy:

Mr. Randy Lassiter (City of Elizabeth City, Project Manager) Mr. Jonathan Hawley (City of Elizabeth City, Grant Administrator)

Ray Street Water and Sewer Replacement Project Pre-Bid Meeting, 3/6/25

Overview of Contractor Responsibilities, CDBG-I Program

Introduction The Ray Street Water and Sewer Replacement Project is funded through Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure awards to the City of Elizabeth City. These awards come from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and are administered by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Infrastructure. These CDBG-Is are subject to strict federal and state requirements pertaining to Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), Section 3 opportunities for economically disadvantaged workers and businesses, Labor Standards such as Davis- Bacon prevailing wage requirements, and other matters of General Compliance. This document will overview these key requirements. Essential, supplemental handouts will also be made available with more detailed requirements.

NOTE: Potential contractors must be registered on SAM.gov, or a contract cannot be awarded. SAM.gov registration may take six to eight weeks; companies not registered should begin immediately!

HUB

All potential contractors and subcontractors must be willing to cooperate with NC HUB regulations – see NC General Statute 143-128.2. A HUB is a business that is at least 51-percent owned/controlled by one or more citizens or lawful permanent residents who are members of a minority or socially and economically disadvantaged group. This term is also generally inclusive of “minority/women-owned businesses” (M/WBEs).

Potential contractors and subcontractors must:

Engage in good-faith efforts to solicit HUB participation in the bidding process Good-faith efforts must be legal, proper, and reasonable to achieve the statutory goal of 10% HUB participation in the total project value These forms and instructions for documentation are included in the Project

Manual; good-faith effort affidavits must be provided to identify the HUBs that will be used, and the value of their work, or certify that the project will be done with the contractor’s own workforce.

These requirements apply to prime and first-tier subcontractors

Section 3 Federal Section 3 requirements are set forth in 24 CFR 75; “Section 3” refers to Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968. They require businesses and employers working on CDBG projects, to the greatest extent possible, make a good-faith effort to train and employ low-income individuals living in the local area and also to contract with businesses owned by or that employ Section 3 workers.

Key points are below. For more details, please review the provided brochure, visit deq.nc.gov/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-have-funding, and/or email jhawley@elizabethcitync.gov and amickiewicz@jmt.com. This project is subject to the “New Rule” for Section 3.

A “Section 3 business concern” is a business that can document that, within the last six months, it is 51-percent owned and controlled by low- or very-low-income persons; over 75 percent of labor hours performed for the business in the last three months were performed by Section 3 workers; or is at least 51-percent owned and controlled by current public housing/Section 8-assisted housing residents.

A “Section 3 worker” is a person who can certify, within the last five years, that:

their income was below limits set by HUD; the worker is employed by a Section 3 business concern; or the worker is a YouthBuild participant.

A “Targeted Section 3 worker” is generally a Section 3 worker living within one mile of the relevant project, a worker employed by a Section 3 business concern, or a YouthBuild participant.

All potential bidders shall review Section 3 documents in the bid specifications and must complete and document to follow Section 3.

If subcontractors are needed after a prime contractor is selected, the prime contractor must provide documentation on how the needed subcontractors were selected.

All potential bidders must submit Section 3 Plans with their bids. Subcontractors potentially doing work of $100,000 or more must also submit Section 3 Plans. A Section 3 Plan is a commitment to meet Section 3 goals or demonstrate good-faith efforts. Companies submitting Section 3 Plans must also commit to ongoing documentation of current and potential hires and their potential Section 3 needs/opportunities. Weekly payrolls/tracking will also be required. This will be discussed in greater detail at the pre-construction meeting.

Labor Standards (Davis-Bacon and Related Acts)

The key Labor Standards applicable to this project are summarized below. For more information, please see brochures or NCDEQ’s website.

The Davis- Bacon Act:

The Davis-Bacon Act requires that all laborers and mechanics working on construction projects financed by the Federal government be paid the "prevailing wages" for each job classification.

Davis-Bacon requirements govern all construction, demolition and rehabilitation projects including those that alter or repair public buildings and/or public works contracts over $2,000.

All contractors and subcontractors must pay the various classifications of laborers and mechanics employed on the site of work and all contracts/agreements must have the wage rates and fringe benefits determined by DOL for the project.

Act requires certain labor standards provisions to be specified in the contracts awarded to the successful bidders and subsequent subcontracts, and the applicable wage determination must also be included in said contract documents.

Related Acts:

Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. Laborers and mechanics employed on covered contracts be paid not less than one and one-half times their basic rate of pay for hours worked in excess of forty (40) in a workweek.

Copeland Anti-Kickback Act.

o The “Anti-Kickback” section of the Copeland Act makes it punishable by a fine or by imprisonment up to 5 years, or both, to induce any person working on a federally-funded or assisted construction project to “give up any part of the compensation to which he is entitled under his contract of employment (except for permissible deductions.”

o Contractors and subcontractors are required to submit weekly copies of all certified payrolls, along with a weekly “statement of compliance.”

o Contractors and subcontractors may use FORM WH347

Key Requirements, DBRA:

Supervisory positions at job site doing more than 20% of time in a skilled labor must be paid at least the wage rate and fringe benefits of the classification of work being done.

Job site posters and wage decision must be posted in a visible, convenient place where every person working on the site can see them and protected from weather.

Requires payment of prevailing wages and fringe benefits.

Requires weekly payment of wages and fringe benefits.

Prior to the award of any contract, verification that the prime/general contractor and subcontractors is not on the Debarred List. Document this verification.

Inform employees about the interviews (job classification and how much they make).

Payroll and Additional classifications (if needed). o Additional classification can only be requested from DOL after award of contract.

o Takes 30 days to get an approval from DOL o Follow the process outline in the Additional Classification Process

Documentation.

Other CDBG Compliance Matters (Non-discrimination):

Grantees and their contractors are responsible for ensuring that all projects assisted with CDBG funds are made available on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, or national origin (Civil Rights Act).

Contractors shall comply with the following:

Equal Employment Opportunity

Contractors are responsible for ensuring all projects assisted with CDBG funds are made available on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, or national origin.

Language Access (Title VI)

Grantees and contractors must ensure language barriers do not prevent meaningful access by Limited English Proficiency (LEP) persons to the CDBG program, services and activities. In addition to other responsible steps to ensure significant access by LEP persons to federal financial assistance programs, all documents reaching out or directly involving the public must include a clause at the end of the document stating the information is available in Spanish and/or other language upon request.

Section 504 – Persons with Disabilities Access

Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. Grantees and contractors must ensure physical accessibility where possible/needed, have appropriate policies and practices in place, and notify persons that they do not discriminate on the basis on handicap.

An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer

Contact Us CDBG-I Program Compliance Specialist NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure CDBG-I Unit See Division website for contact information.

Mailing Address:

1633 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-1633

Street Address:

512 N. Salisbury St, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27604 8th Floor

Website for Additional Information:

https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-have-funding/cdbg-i-compliance-and-reporting-information

NC DEQ

DIVISION OF WATER

INFRASTRUCTURE

CDBG-I

The CDBG-I program provides grants to local government units to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs in HUD qualified low to moderate income communities.

COMPLIANCE

SUMMARY

https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-have-funding/cdbg-i-compliance-and-reporting-information https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-have-funding/cdbg-i-compliance-and-reporting-information https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/i-have-funding/cdbg-i-compliance-and-reporting-information

Contractor Responsibilities

Nondiscrimination in programs and activities

Contractors are responsible for ensuring that all projects assisted with CDBG funds are made available on a non-discriminatory basis: that is, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, or national origin (Civil Right Act).

Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises and Historically Underutilized Businesses

Local governments and contractors are required to provide these businesses equal access to participate in contracts for construction, goods, services, and supplies.

Community Development Block Grant

(CDBG):

Develop strategies that bring partners and resources together, leveraging funds and building on community assets.

States award grants to smaller units of general local government that develop and preserve decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to create and retain jobs.

Job Creation and Economic Opportunity (Section 3)

As a recipient of federal funds, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and its sub-recipients (grantees) shall comply with Section 3 requirements set forth at 24 CFR 75 of the federal regulation which states that, to the greatest extent possible, businesses and employers working on HUD-funded projects must make a good faith effort to train and employ low-income individuals living in the local area and also to contract with businesses owned by or that employ Section 3 workers.

Labor Standards (Davis Bacon and Related Acts)

All contractors on a CDBG-funded project must adhere to The Davis-Bacon Act and its Related Acts (Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and Copeland Anti- Kickback Act):

• All contractors and subcontractors must pay the various classifications of laborers and mechanics on the site of work and all contracts/agreements must have the wage rates and fringe benefits determined by DOL for the project.

• All contracts/ agreements must incorporate the appropriate federal labor standards provisions, and the applicable wage decision.

• Unlisted classifications needed for work not included within the scope of the classifications listed may be added after award only as provided in the labor standards contract clauses.

• Laborers and mechanics employed on covered project must be paid no less than one and one-half times their basic rate of pay for hours worked over 40 hrs/week.

• All contractors must submit weekly certified payrolls and statement of compliance.

• Prior to selecting and awarded subcontracts, the prime contractor is responsible to ensure eligibility of their subcontractors.

SECTION 3

for Workers and Businesses

Learn about employment, training and contracting opportunities that can be available to you under Section 3.

What Happens if the Section 3 Goals

Are Not Met?

Recipients must report qualitative nature of Section 3 compliance efforts and the efforts of its contractors and subcontractors.

How Can I Find Section 3 Opportunities in My Area?

Contact your local and state government and public housing authority to learn more about employment, training and contracting opportunities that may be available to you in your community.

How Can I Learn More About Section 3?

Visit the following websites:

http://www.hud.gov/section3 http://www.hudexchange.info/programs/section-3/

Want to learn more about YouthBuild?

http://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/youthbuild

What Projects or Contracts Does

Section 3 Apply to?

Housing and Community Development Financial

Assistance

Section 3 applies to housing construction, housing rehab and public infrastructure projects that receive more than $200,000 in HUD assistance. Section 3 also applies to projects that include Lead Hazard Control and

Healthy Homes assistance that exceeds $100,000.

Public Housing Financial Assistance

Section 3 applies to any amount of assistance for development, operations and management, mixed-finance development projects, and in some cases, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Choice

Neighborhoods projects.

What Are the Goals of Section 3?

Section 3 has goals that recipients, subrecipients, contractors and subcontractors must meet. The goals are as follows:

Housing and Community Development Financial

Assistance

25% or more of the total number of labor hours worked by all workers on a Section 3 project are

Section 3 workers and 5% or more of the total number of labor hours worked by all workers on a

Section 3 project are Targeted Section 3 workers.

Public Housing Financial Assistance

25% or more of the total number of labor hours worked by all workers in a PHA’s fiscal year are

Section 3 workers and 5% or more of the total number of labor hours worked by all workers in a

PHA’s fiscal year are Targeted Section 3 workers.

http://www.hud.gov/section3 https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/section-3/ http://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/youthbuild

All Workers

All Section 3 Workers

Targeted Section 3 Workers

Who Is Responsible for Providing

Access to Economic Opportunities?

Recipients and subrecipients of HUD assistance

Contractors and subcontractors working on certain

HUD-assisted projects or contracts

How Can Contractors Help PHAs and

Grantees Meet the Section 3 Goals?

Contractors can help PHAs and grantees meet the

Section 3 goals by being a Section 3 business or employing Section 3 workers. Some grantees or PHAs may offer incentives to businesses that can demonstrate how they will meet the Section 3 goals.

What Is a Section 3 Worker?

A Section 3 Worker is any worker who currently fits, or when hired within the past five years fit, at least one of the following categories as documented:

Person who is low-income

Employed by a Section 3 business concern

YouthBuild participant

What Is Section 3 and Why Does It

Matter?

Every year the Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) invests billions of federal dollars into distressed communities across the country for projects that provide access to safe and affordable housing and improve public infrastructure.

These funds are passed down to public housing agencies, local and state governments or other recipients through grants or financial assistance.

The financial assistance can be used to maintain and build affordable housing and improve public infrastructure in your community.

Employment, training and contracting opportunities that result from the covered projects or contracts must be directed to persons who are low-income (Section 3 workers) and businesses that are owned by or employ persons who are low-income (Section 3 businesses) to help build economic wealth.

Best efforts should be made to direct economic opportunities to persons and businesses in the order of priority outlined in the final rule requirements.

What Is a Targeted Section 3 Worker?

A Targeted Section 3 Worker is a Section 3 worker who is employed by a Section 3 business concern or is a worker that currently fits or when hired fit at least one of the following categories as documented within the past five years:

Housing and Community Development Financial Assistance

Lives within the neighborhood of the project YouthBuild participant

Public Housing Financial Assistance Resident of public housing or Section 8-assisted housing Resident of other public housing projects or Section 8-assisted housing managed by the PHA that is providing the assistance YouthBuild participant

What Is a Section 3 Business Concern?

A business that meets at least one of the following categories, within the last six-month period:

At least 51% owned and controlled by persons who are low-income At least 51% owned and controlled by current public housing residents or residents who currently live in Section 8 assisted housing Over 75% of the labor hours performed for the business over the prior three-month period were performed by Section 3 workers

SECCIÓN 3

para Trabajadores y Empresas

Aprenda sobre las oportunidades de empleo, capacitación, y contratos disponibles bajo la Sección 3.

¿Qué Sucede si no se Alcanzan los

Objetivos de la Sección 3?

Los beneficiarios deben reportar de manera cualitativa sus esfuerzos y el de sus contratistas y subcontratistas para cumplir con la Sección 3.

¿Dónde Puedo Encontrar Oportunidades de la Sección 3 en mi Área?

Contacte las oficinas del gobierno local y estatal, y la agencia de vivienda pública en su área, para aprender más sobre oportunidades de empleo, capacitación, y contratos disponibles en su comunidad.

¿Cómo Puedo Aprender Más sobre la

Sección 3?

Visite las siguientes páginas web:

http://www.hud.gov/section3 http://www.hudexchange.info/programs/section-3/

¿Quiere saber más sobre YouthBuild?

http://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/youthbuild

¿A qué Proyectos o Contratos Aplica la

Sección 3?

Asistencia Financiera para la Vivienda y el Desarrollo

Comunitario

La Sección 3 aplica a la construcción y rehabilitación de vivienda, y a los proyectos de infraestructura pública que reciben más de $200,000 en asistencia de HUD. La Sección 3 también aplica a proyectos que reciben más de $100,000 en asistencia para Control de Riesgos de Plomo y Hogares Saludables.

Asistencia Financiera para Vivienda Pública

La Sección 3 aplica a la asistencia para el desarrollo, operaciones y gestión, proyectos de desarrollo con financiación mixta, y en algunos casos, a los proyectos de Demostración de Asistencia de Alquiler (RAD por sus siglas en inglés) y Barrios de Elección, sin importar la cantidad recibida.

¿Cuáles son los Objetivos de la Sección

3?

La Sección 3 establece objetivos que deben alcanzar los beneficiarios, sub-beneficiarios, contratistas, y sub-contratistas. Los objetivos son las siguientes:

Asistencia Financiera para Vivienda y Desarrollo

Comunitario

El 25% o más del total de horas trabajadas por todos los trabajadores de un proyecto de la Sección 3, deben corresponder a trabajadores de la Sección 3. Y el 5% o más del total de horas trabajadas por todos los trabajadores de un proyecto de la Sección 3, deben corresponder a trabajadores objetivo de la Sección 3.

Asistencia Financiera para Vivienda Pública

El 25% o más del total de horas trabajadas por todos los trabajadores de la agencia de vivienda pública en el año fiscal, debe corresponder a trabajadores de la Sección 3. Y el 5% o más del total de horas trabajadas por todos los trabajadores de la agencia de vivienda pública en el año fiscal, debe corresponder a trabajadores objetivo de la Sección 3.

http://www.hud.gov/section3 https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/section-3/ http://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/youthbuild

¿Quién es Responsable de Ofrecer Acceso a Oportunidades Económicas?

Los beneficiarios y sub-beneficiarios de asistencia de

HUD

Los contratistas y sub-contratistas que trabajan en ciertos proyectos y contratos que reciben asistencia de

HUD

¿Cómo Pueden los Contratistas Ayudar a las Agencias de Vivienda Pública (PHA por sus siglas en inglés) y a los Beneficiarios a Alcanzar los Objetivos de la Sección 3?

Los contratistas pueden ayudar a las PHA y a los beneficiarios a alcanzar los objetivos de la Sección 3 al designarse como empresas de la Sección 3 o al emplear a trabajadores de la Sección 3. Algunos beneficiarios o PHA pueden ofrecer incentivos a empresas que demuestren cómo esperan alcanzar los objetivos de la Sección 3.

¿Qué es un Trabajador de la Sección 3?

Un trabajador de la Sección 3 es un trabajador que encaja, o encajaba en el momento de contratación en los últimos cinco años, y con la documentación necesaria, en al menos una de las siguientes categorías:

Persona con bajos ingresos Empleado por una empresa de la Sección 3 Participa en YouthBuild

Todos los Trabajadores de la

Sección 3

Trabajador es Objetivo de la Sección 3

Todos los Trabajadores

¿Qué Empresa Cumple con la Sección 3?

Una empresa que ha cumplido en los últimos seis meses con al menos una de las siguientes categorías:

Al menos 51% pertenece o está controlada por personas con bajos ingresos Al menos 51% pertenece o está controlada por actuales residentes de vivienda pública o residentes de vivienda asistida por la Sección 8 Mas del 75% de las horas trabajadas en la empresa en los últimos tres meses, fueron trabajadas por trabajadores de la Sección 3

¿Qué es un Trabajador Objetivo de la Sección 3?

Un trabajador objetivo de la Sección 3 es un trabajador empleado por una empresa bajo la Sección 3. También puede ser un trabajador que encaja, o encajaba en el momento de contratación en los últimos cinco años. y con la documentación necesaria, en al menos una de las siguientes categorías.

Asistencia Financiera para Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario

Vive en el barrio donde está el proyecto Participa en YouthBuild

Asistencia Financiera para Vivienda Pública Residente de vivienda publica o vivienda asistida por la Sección 8 Residente de otros proyectos de vivienda pública o vivienda asistida por la Sección 8, manejados por la PHA que ofrece la asistencia Participa en YouthBuild

¿Qué es la Sección 3 y Por Qué es

Importante?

Cada año, el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD por sus siglas en inglés) invierte billones de dólares de fondos federales en comunidades pobres de todo el país para proporcionar acceso a vivienda segura y económica, así como para mejorar la infraestructura pública.

Estos fondos pasan a las agencias de vivienda pública, los gobiernos locales y estatales, y otros beneficiaros, a través de subvenciones y otras formas de asistencia financiera.

La asistencia financiera se puede usar para mantener y construir vivienda económica y para mejorar la infraestructura pública en su comunidad.

Las oportunidades de empleo, capacitación, y contratación que resultan de los proyectos o contratos, deben estar dirigidas a personas con bajos ingresos (trabajadores de la Sección 3) y empresas o negocios cuyos propietarios o empleados son personas con bajos ingresos (empresas de la Sección 3), con el fin de ayudar a generar riqueza económica.

Los esfuerzos se deben enfocar en generar oportunidades económicas para personas y empresas en el orden de prioridad establecido en los requisitos de la Regla final.