Policy Corner
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
February 17, 2011
CEC Selects 11 Companies for Its Premier Mentoring Program
EDA's FY 2012 Budget Proposal
President Obama outlined the best way forward in his FY 2012 budget proposal to Congress by investing in what makes America stronger and cutting what we cannot afford.
Highlights
- $325 million to EDA to support our strategic planning, innovation infrastructure and capital projects.
- $40 million for new Regional Innovation Program (Growth Zones) to support regional cluster development, regional business plans, investment in science parks, etc. in 20 economically distressed areas with growth potential. Assist with planning, seed capital and technical assistance.
- $20 million for Wireless Innovation Fund, creating a challenge program to leverage public-private partnerships to build or upgrade next generation information and communications technologies to foster regional competitiveness.
Fund 21st Century Infrastructure Program (formerly Public Works) at $96 million and Economic Adjustment Assistance, our most flexible program, at $85 million.
Click here to read White House Innovation Factsheet that mentions EDA investments
Click here to read White House DOC Factsheet that mentions EDA Growth Zone initiative
Federal Funding Opportunities
US EDA Announces FY 2011 Supplemental Appropriations Disaster Relief Opportunity
On February 11, EDA announced the availability of $49 million in disaster assistance to support recovery efforts in Rhode Island, Nebraska, Tennessee and Kentucky, all of which were impacted by flooding during the spring of 2010.
Funds will be awarded to projects that devise long-term economic redevelopment strategies and carry out implementation activities that will advance recovery, mitigation and growth efforts in these regions. The funding is available under the FY 2011 Supplemental Appropriations Disaster Relief Opportunity to Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Applications for economic recovery assistance are now available through www.grants.gov. Additional details on this funding opportunity can be found in the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) notice.
US Labor Department announces Green Jobs Innovation Fund Grant competition to support career training programs through community partnerships
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the Green Jobs Innovation Fund competition to support opportunities for workers to receive job training in green industry sectors and occupations. Through this competition, the department will award approximately $40 million to support five to eight grantees with awards ranging from $5 million to $8 million each. Eligible applicants will include national and statewide organizations with local affiliates that have existing career training programs and will benefit a minimum of six communities per grant. Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the online tutorial “Grant Applications 101: A Plain English Guide to ETA Competitive Grants.” They can register at http://www.Grants.gov to access the solicitation for grant applications. In addition, grant information is posted at http://www.doleta.gov/grants
Process Improvement Update
EDA's Regional Offices recently completed the first round of reviews for applications submitted since the launch of the improvement initiative. Each Regional Office received a number of competitive and highly competitive applications for funding and informed all applicants of their status within the 20 days promised from the December 15 application deadline. Overall, EDA received 120 applications. March 10, 2011 is the deadline for funding cycle 2.