Disaster Recovery (DR) Supplemental Funding

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Purpose

To help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Projects must be in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as a result of natural disasters occurring in the calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in the calendar year 2019.

Decarbonization Considerations

Projects must address local and/or regional economic development needs and priorities. When aligning decarbonization strategies with economic development needs, consider planning to rebuild/enhance public transit system resiliency and access to major commercial centers and emerging economic hubs; providing weatherization and energy storage solutions to enhance the resiliency of grocery stores, shops, and other businesses to reduce interruptions to business operations; and adapting large commercial areas (i.e. shopping malls) into resiliency hubs/shelters with on-site solar and energy storage. EDA also funds strategic planning grants to develop, update, or refine a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to alleviate long-term economic deterioration or other economic disruptions. This is an opportunity for communities to update how energy and transportation systems are supporting the goods, services, and jobs of the region.

Equity Considerations

Communities in transition due to closing industries, major technological changes, or repeated disasters can use this funding to reduce burdens on historically marginalized communities especially. Focusing clean energy solutions like solar plus storage on localized grocery stores and other shops can help support businesses and residents during future disasters.

Helpful Tips

EDA encourages the submission of applications based on long-term, regionally oriented, coordinated and collaborative economic development or redevelopment strategies that foster economic growth and resilience. EDA will regard applications that are substantively supported by such strategies as more competitive, while applications for rebuilding damaged infrastructure that are not demonstrably supported by or otherwise related to a long-term plan for economic growth and resilience will not be considered competitive. Reaching out to EDA regional contacts can help ensure that your project is eligible for funding and in line with EDA regional priorities.

Other Notes

To determine eligibility for federal disaster declaration funding, please check FEMA's website at https://www.fema.gov/disasters/disaster-declarations.