tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168867024754802862024-03-13T14:44:02.394-07:00AskJill- "Knows EDA"EDA Regs got you down? Application driving you crazy? More queries than answers? Having trouble getting your invoices paid? Recently received a cease and desist from EDA?Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-69016451256266201122012-02-20T14:56:00.000-08:002012-02-20T14:56:27.337-08:00Top Level Officials at EDA Reveal Insight to 2013 Budget RequestDuring a conference call I participated in last week with top level Dept. of Commerce Economic Development Administration staff in Washington DC it was revealed there would be big changes in the 2013 EDA budget. The biggest change on the horizon is the decrease in the overall budget. $38MM less will be in the budget request for 2013. Where those changes take place are mostly in the PWEDA line item. With funding decreases at all levels of government staying competitive and on top of the issues with EDA is more important than ever. For information on the newest budget request and all the issues affecting the EDA email your questions to AskJill@essergy.net. <br />
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If you have aN EDA project in mind and would like a free review email me at AskJill@essergy.net. <br />
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Follow me on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/askjillknowseda">twitter.com/askjillknowseda</a><br />
<br />Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-52266762153357266342011-09-14T15:20:00.000-07:002011-09-14T15:20:31.369-07:00Lessons Learned From the First Year of the "New" Grant Process<br />
The EDA launched its new grant process just about this time last year. As the process matured, EDA decided to wrap up prior years applications during the first quarter and accept only have three quarters of new submissions during fiscal year 2011. <br />
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EDA hoped its new application would enable it to rule on grant applications within two weeks. To do so, it scored applications as non-competitive, competitive, or highly competitive. It considered only highly competitive proposals to be eligible for funding. During the first round 175 applications were received December 10th, 2010 of those 135 were dismissed as non-competitive, and only 11 were ranked highly competitive. Of the 11 two were written by AskJill, the only two I wrote! <br />
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What do these facts suggest for new applicants? <br />
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1. DO Submit only complete applications. That includes Public Works Grants. The environmental narratives MUST have complete environmental clearance from all federal and local agencies. WAIT until the next round or whenever you receive the required sign offs or your application may be ruled technically incomplete. <br />
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2. DO call and speak with the local EDA Economic Development Representative (EDR), before you write the grant application. <br />
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3. DO NOT write a blind application and submit through www.grants.gov or it is highly likely that your application will be non-competitive. <br />
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4. DO use the Public Works program to complement your local budget shortfalls in this tight economy. <br />
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5. DO ask if planning money is available to write your first Comprehensive Economic Development Study (CEDS). Repeat grants for updating or renewing CEDS rarely get funded. <br />
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6. DO be prepared to wait for the grant to fund. At this point, despite its best efforts EDA still has been unable to reduce the time to actual funding while its Reauthorization is held up in Congress. Hopefully that will change soon and the funding for 2011 FY, which will end in 2 weeks, can be released. <br />
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The most important lesson learned? Government change always takes more change than anticipated.Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-15847225785592933172011-02-27T23:09:00.000-08:002011-02-27T23:09:19.497-08:00Invitation to Conference Call with Obama Key Officials on the 2012 Budget "What Does it Mean for Innovators?"Saturday, Feb 26, 2011
White House Hosts Regional Innovation Conference Call
on FY 2012 Budget
Tuesday, March 1, 5:00 PM EST
RSVP NOW at: opersvp@who.eop.gov
CALL IN #: (866) 261-2650
You are invited to a briefing conference call with key members of the Obama administration to discuss what the budget holds for innovators and regional efforts.
In his State of the Union Address, President Obama discussed the need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our competitors in order to win the future. We have since initiated several programs to accelerate and amplify the efforts of entrepreneurs, workers, business leaders, and other job creators across the country, and to connect this work through strategies for innovation including the Better Buildings Initiative, Innovation Hubs, and Startup America.
Recently, President Obama proposed investments to strengthen these initiatives when he released his FY 2012 budget. The budget provides a foundation for economic growth by funding programs like HubZones and Regional Innovation Clusters.
Please feel free to share this invite.
WHAT:
White House Regional Innovation Update Call: The FY 2012 Budget
WHEN:
Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 5:00 PM Eastern Time
RSVP:
opersvp@who.eop.gov
CALL IN #:
(866) 261-2650
SUBSCRIBE FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND
SENT TO JILLDOMINGUEZ@ESSERGY.NET | UNSUBSCRIBE | UPDATE PROFILE | FORWARD TO A FRIENDJill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-33910756582920563892011-02-26T04:10:00.000-08:002011-02-26T04:10:19.636-08:00EDA Invests $100,000 Promoting Regional Agriculture Cluster$100,000 goes to local agriculture
The state Office of Planning has been awarded a $100,000 federal grant that will benefit local agriculture.
The Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Commerce Department announced the award yesterday, saying it will allow the state to assess agricultural irrigation systems, design a food market distribution program and develop a local food production strategy. More broadly, the results of the work funded by the grant are expected to save or create jobs, lead to lower-priced food items and help the state become more self-sufficient in its food supply, according to the Economic Development Administration.
"The plan that the State of Hawaii will develop with this EDA grant will improve the condition of the agricultural sector and streamline the food distribution system to strengthen the cluster's productivity and its ability to create jobs," John Fernandez, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, said in a statement. Business Briefs - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com http://bit.ly/eJh1NhJill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-82366512550824149832011-02-18T03:07:00.000-08:002011-02-18T03:07:59.968-08:00U.S. Census Bureau Launches Interactive Map of Local 2010 Census Data | Department of CommerceU.S. Census Bureau Launches Interactive Map of Local 2010 Census Data
Submitted on February 10, 2011 - 12:30pm
Categories: 2010 Census Census 2010 Bureau of the Census
Printer-friendly version
The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a new, interactive map that conveniently and easily displays local-level 2010 Census population counts. The application allows users to compare county-level population change from 1960 to 2010, as well as state-level data on race and Hispanic or Latino origin for 2010.
Last week, the rollout of detailed data began with the release of local population counts for Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia. This week, local data for Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland and Vermont are being released. For each state, the Census provides summaries of population totals as well as data on race, Hispanic origin, and voting age for multiple geographies within the state, such as census blocks, tracts, voting districts, cities, counties and school districts. The counts are being delivered on a state-by-state basis, and all states will receive their data by April 1.
As new data is released, the Census Bureau will update the map. Learn more about your state.
<a href="http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2011/02/10/us-census-bureau-launches-interactive-map-local-2010-census-data">U.S. Census Bureau Launches Interactive Map of Local 2010 Census Data | Department of Commerce</a>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-85683106269360581832011-02-17T11:24:00.001-08:002011-02-17T11:24:32.462-08:00The U.S. House adopted an amendment by Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME) yesterday to restore the proposed $80 million program reduction for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of the chamber’s Continuing Resolution (CR) for the remainder of FY2011 (October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011). To: NADO Members
From: Matthew Chase, Executive Director
Re: Update on EDA Vote in U.S. House
The U.S. House adopted an amendment by Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME) yesterday to restore the proposed $80 million program reduction for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of the chamber’s Continuing Resolution (CR) for the remainder of FY2011 (October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011).
Attached and below is the final vote results for Roll Call 50 offered by Rep. Michaud. The amendment was adopted 305-127 with 145 Republicans (60% of the caucus) and 160 Democratic (83% of the caucus) members in support of restoring EDA’s budget to the FY2010 level. Of the Aye (Yes) votes, EDA was supported by the House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and 8 of the 12 Appropriations subcommittee chairs (known as the Cardinals).
Please be sure to thank your legislators for their support! If your House members voted against the EDA budget amendment, please be sure to follow up with a letter and invitation to meet with them and hopefully bring them on a tour of successful EDA projects in your region.
The 2011 NADO Washington Policy Conference, slated for March 20 - 23 at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel in Arlington, VA (right across the river from the Capitol and quick metro ride!), is an essential part of the association's federal advocacy program. The 2011 event will feature expert panels on federal budget and appropriations issues, key administration and congressional priorities, and insights into the association's regional development policy agenda. In addition, the federal agency networking roundtable session will feature an opportunity to network one-on-one with representatives from more than 25 federal agencies and programs!
Register online today at http://www.nado.org/conferences/washington.php or call Tawanna Harley at 202.624.624-7806 / tharley@nado.org.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 50
(Republicans in roman; Democrats in italic; Independents underlined)
Michaud Amendment to restore $80 million in FY2011 funding for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) with a $80 million funding offset from the U.S. Bureau of the Census periodic census account.
H R 1 RECORDED VOTE 16-Feb-2011 2:07 PM
AUTHOR(S): Michaud of Maine Amendment No. 153
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Amendment
Ayes
Noes
PRES
NV
Republican
145
95
Democratic
160
32
1
Independent
TOTALS
305
127
1
---- AYES 305 ---
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Altmire
Andrews
Austria
Baca
Bachus
Baldwin
Barletta
Barrow
Bartlett
Barton (TX)
Bass (CA)
Bass (NH)
Berg
Berkley
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boren
Boswell
Boustany
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Brooks
Brown (FL)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Buerkle
Butterfield
Calvert
Camp
Canseco
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carney
Carson (IN)
Carter
Cassidy
Castor (FL)
Chabot
Chandler
Cicilline
Clarke (MI)
Clyburn
Coble
Coffman (CO)
Cohen
Conyers
Cooper
Costello
Courtney
Crawford
Crenshaw
Critz
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Davis (CA)
Davis (KY)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Denham
Dent
Deutch
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Donnelly (IN)
Doyle
Duncan (TN)
Ellison
Emerson
Engel
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleming
Forbes
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Gerlach
Gibbs
Gibson
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (MO)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffin (AR)
Griffith (VA)
Guinta
Guthrie
Hanabusa
Hanna
Harman
Harper
Harris
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Heck
Heinrich
Heller
Higgins
Himes
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Holden
Holt
Hoyer
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurt
Inslee
Israel
Jackson Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Kaptur
Keating
Kelly
Kildee
Kind
Kingston
Kinzinger (IL)
Kissell
Lance
Landry
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lee (CA)
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lowey
Luetkemeyer
Luján
Lynch
Mack
Maloney
Manzullo
Marchant
Marino
Markey
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCotter
McDermott
McGovern
McIntyre
McKeon
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
Meeks
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Moore
Mulvaney
Murphy (CT)
Murphy (PA)
Myrick
Nadler
Neal
Neugebauer
Noem
Nunnelee
Olson
Olver
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor (AZ)
Paul
Paulsen
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Petri
Pingree (ME)
Pitts
Platts
Poe (TX)
Polis
Pompeo
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rahall
Rangel
Reed
Rehberg
Reichert
Renacci
Reyes
Richardson
Richmond
Rigell
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Ross (AR)
Royce
Runyan
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Scalise
Schiff
Schilling
Schmidt
Schock
Schrader
Schwartz
Schweikert
Scott (SC)
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sewell
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Southerland
Speier
Stark
Stearns
Stivers
Sutton
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tierney
Tipton
Tonko
Towns
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Van Hollen
Visclosky
Walberg
Walden
Walz (MN)
Wasserman Schultz
Watt
Webster
Welch
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Womack
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth
Young (AK)
---- NOES 127 ---
Adams
Amash
Bachmann
Becerra
Benishek
Berman
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Black
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Campbell
Cantor
Chaffetz
Chu
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Cole
Conaway
Connolly (VA)
Costa
Cravaack
Culberson
Davis (IL)
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dreier
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Edwards
Ellmers
Eshoo
Farenthold
Flake
Fleischmann
Flores
Fortenberry
Franks (AZ)
Fudge
Garamendi
Gardner
Garrett
Gonzalez
Gosar
Graves (GA)
Grijalva
Grimm
Gutierrez
Hall
Hartzler
Hayworth
Hensarling
Herger
Herrera Beutler
Honda
Huelskamp
Issa
Jackson (IL)
Jenkins
Jordan
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kline
Kucinich
Labrador
Lamborn
Lankford
Lofgren, Zoe
Long
Lucas
Lummis
Lungren, Daniel E.
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
Meehan
Moran
Napolitano
Nugent
Nunes
Palazzo
Pence
Posey
Price (GA)
Quayle
Ribble
Rivera
Roby
Rogers (MI)
Rokita
Rooney
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross (FL)
Rothman (NJ)
Roybal-Allard
Ryan (WI)
Schakowsky
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Sherman
Shimkus
Smith (NE)
Stutzman
Sullivan
Terry
Velázquez
Walsh (IL)
Waters
Waxman
Weiner
West
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Woodall
Yoder
Young (FL)
Young (IN)
---- NOT VOTING 1 ---
Giffords
If you wish to be removed from the NADO friends email list, please email info@nado.org.Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-50067498506436673682011-02-15T12:24:00.000-08:002011-02-15T12:24:47.799-08:00Passing Along EDA Request for Comments on RegulationsMonday, Feb 14, 2011<br />
EDA Seeks Public Comment on Regulations<br />
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The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is asking its stakeholders to help the agency update its regulations so it can more effectively partner with communities and organizations to create jobs and economic growth. Earlier this month, EDA published a Federal Register Notice requesting public comment on the agency’s regulations, particularly ways EDA can revise the process to provide better economic development services. We encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas about EDA’s regulations here on EDA’s website, where you can also see the ideas others have submitted. <br />
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EDA’s regulations are an important tool for the agency’s economic development assistance programs as they provide the framework through which the agency selects, awards, and administers its investments. The agency is particularly interested in learning of any perceived impediments to contemporary economic development practices that are produced as a cause or consequence of a particular regulation. Although EDA welcomes comments on all of its regulations, the agency requests particular input on how the regulations impact the creation and growth of Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs) and property management issues.<br />
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Read President Obama’s Executive Order calling for a government-wide review of all regulations and his editorial in the Wall Street Journal calling for a 21st-century regulatory system.<br />
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Go to <a href="http://www.edaregulations.ideascale.com">www.edaregulations.ideascale.com</a> to share your comments, recommendations, ideas and feedback regarding EDA’Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-14399420404258137392011-02-15T11:37:00.000-08:002011-02-15T11:37:38.955-08:00It's That Time of Year Again...Budget!It's Valentines Day and my favorite time of year...budget fights. I have always felt it was Democracy as it's best. There's threats, tears, indignant members of Congress accusing each other of polarizing the country! Of course who can forget the annual all time favorite, "we need to trim the fat off the budget". If I have heard it once I have heard it a thousand times. Thank goodness for CSPAN the best TV on the air. We can watch our elected officials from each side threaten the end of Democracy or the ruin of our country as we know it if we dont follow their plan. It always reminded me of my college debates where everything ended in a nuclear war (guess what era I was in college!). As per usual the EDA is on the hit list of the Republicans. This year I have decided it would be useful to reprint the talking points sent out by one of our (economic development) well known trade organizations NADO, the National Association of Development Organizations. Not only do I think the memo is useful, if you chose to enter the fight, but it has a good factual history and good information about the EDA. Thank you NADO!<br />
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
To: NADO Members and Friends<br />
Re: House Amendment to Restore EDA’s FY2011 Budget<br />
<br />
Starting on Tuesday, February 15, the U.S. House will begin its debate on the FY2011 Continuing Resolution (CR). The House Republican spending plan cuts almost $100 billion out of the $462 billion non-security discretionary federal budget. Among the most severe cuts is a proposed $80 million reduction in the FY2011 budget for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). This represents a 32 percent reduction in the agency’s infrastructure, economic adjustment assistance and other job creation programs.<br />
<br />
Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME) is coordinating the introduction of an amendment to restore EDA’s budget to the FY2010 level. The funding offset will most likely by a corresponding reduction in the Census Bureau’s periodic census budget. Under the House rules, any proposed spending increase must be offset with an equal reduction. Even with the proposed offset, the new House rules still make it virtually impossible to introduce a non-cutting amendment.<br />
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In addition, we are anticipating amendments by members of the House Republican Study Committee to further reduce or even eliminate all funding for EDA.<br />
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ACTION REQUESTED:<br />
<br />
1. Immediately CALL your U.S. House members today. Please urge your House members to support the Michaud amendment to restore the FY2011 budget for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). In addition, please urge your House members to OPPOSE any amendments to further reduce or eliminate all funding for EDA.<br />
<br />
2. You can reach any member of the U.S. House by calling the U.S. House of Representatives switchboard operator at (202) 224-3121.<br />
<br />
3. Please be sure to let the NADO legislative staff know when you contact your House members via email (dcox@nado.org).<br />
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<br />
KEY TALKING POINTS ON EDA<br />
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· By law, EDA projects require a 50 percent local cost share and must leverage significant private sector investments. Most importantly, all EDA project investments must result in the creation and retention of high quality jobs. <br />
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· From 2004 to 2008, EDA funded projects directly led to the creation of approximately 200,000 high quality private sector jobs. The most recent analysis released by Grant Thornton and ASR Analytics in September 2008 found that EDA’s public works program generates “between 2.2 and 5 jobs per $10,000 in incremental EDA funding, at a cost per job of between $2,001 and $4,611.” These are highly impressive rates of return for any public economic development agency, whether at federal, state or local level.<br />
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· Unfortunately, there have been unfounded and out‐of‐date attacks on EDA in recent weeks. The agency’s critics have been using obsolete data from the late 1970s and early 1980s. This old rhetoric from nearly 30 years ago is outdated and doesn’t reflect today’s reality with the agency. In fact, Republican leaders in the House and Senate worked with the Democratic leadership in 1998 to pass a major EDA reform bill that addressed previous concerns with the agency.<br />
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· EDA awards grants on a competitive basis and based on regional comprehensive economic development strategies developed by local officials, private sector leaders and community representatives. In fact, EDA is one of the few federal agencies with no congressional project earmarks in recent appropriations bills.<br />
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· At a time when our local governments, businesses and communities across the nation are struggling to overcome intensifying global competition, replace aging public infrastructure and gain access to business development capital, Congress should be focusing its efforts on increasing funding for EDA’s core job creation programs.<br />
<br />
For more information, contact NADO Associate Legislative Director Deborah Cox at 202.624.8590 or dcox@nado.org.<br />
Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-36407984251202631722010-12-20T11:15:00.000-08:002011-01-03T23:23:29.229-08:00Not All Wine and Roses for the 1st Round EDA Applications due Dec. 15th, 2010<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The new application process was not what I would call a smooth transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While well intentioned the EDA in DC did not have all its ducks in row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact I would venture to say the ducks were already down south for the winter months. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For those of you who had a perfectly wonderful experience applying through grants.gov please write me via email at <a href="mailto:askjill@essergy.net">askjill@essergy.net</a> or use the comments section of the blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All comments positive and negative will be published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I ask is that any profanity be politely withheld. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My experience was nothing short of frustrating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was prepared to turn in my clients Public Works application with its 15 attachments<personname w:st="on">,</personname> the exact prescribed maximum number allowed through <u><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">grants.gov</span></em></u><personname w:st="on">,</personname> on December 13th<personname w:st="on">,</personname> minus one small item<personname w:st="on">,</personname> the electronic signatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was given a copy of the signature in advance just in case my clients had to be out of town or could not be reached for some unknown reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Over the years I have found this to be a good practice when asking for several million dollars that can make or break your construction project) Even with all the best laid plans and Pollyanna like enthusiasm the <span style="color: #0b5394;"><em><u>grants.gov</u></em></span> application would not take the electronic signatures. Still I held out hope I could prevail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed the directions on the application. I consulted the online help guides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still no progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I exhausted all the online help guides I resorted to Adobe help lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all<personname w:st="on">,</personname> the applications were created in Adobe forms so it stood to reason they could unravel the mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrong! Adobe could <u>NOT</u> assist since they simply provided the software and had not created the forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although they were kind enough to go over some issues that may be causing problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas<personname w:st="on">,</personname> I was back to square one<personname w:st="on">,</personname> no signatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course it was now late in the evening and I informed my clients of the signature issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent them a copy of the forms to see if perhaps they could get the signatures to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still no luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the afternoon of the 14th I realized we would have to go to Plan B<personname w:st="on">,</personname> old fashioned ink<personname w:st="on">,</personname> so much for saving a tree or a plume or even a carbon footprint! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">By the early evening of the 14th I was ready to send off my masterpiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fully complete ED900 plus all the required and requested back up documentation neatly assembled and organized into the new <u><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">grants.gov</span></em></u> site<personname w:st="on">,</personname> but I still had one small problem<personname w:st="on">,</personname> no signatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time I felt it was best to submit the hard copy in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you thinking why didn’t I just send the package overnight door to door service? Well<personname w:st="on">,</personname> since 9/11 Homeland Security requires you have a TSA approved shipping account with a major carrier for anything over 15 oz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I arrived at the EDA regional office bright and early the next morning with my 7 lbs package in hand I was warmly received by the staff<personname w:st="on">,</personname> though they were surprised to see me in person. My client application was time stamped and accepted well within the deadline of 5:00pm.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I later found out my personal delivery all worked out for the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidently <span style="color: #0b5394;"><u><em>grants.gov</em></u></span> became overloaded that day and had stopped accepting applications due to a technology malfunction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hmmmm… I wonder if that will be considered an Act of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stay tuned for my next installment<personname w:st="on">,</personname> <strong>“What exactly does the EDA mean by a full application under the new grant process?”</strong></span></div>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-15626824080496985582010-10-18T23:09:00.000-07:002011-01-03T23:14:30.971-08:00IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Federal Register announced the new FFO for the 2011 EDA Grant Applications! Why be so excited? This happens every year? What’s the all the hoopla about? Why should I care?<br />
It’s only the biggest change in funding processing in the history of the EDA!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well maybe I have over stated it a little. But for those of us who have worked within the field of economic development and job creation we know about the best kept secret in the federal governments budget, the Economic Development Administration! This year we are promised a whole new world of grant processing.<br />
The EDA is becoming the Speedy Gonzales of the federal grants program!</span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“¡Andale! ¡Andale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba! ¡Yii-hah!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Highlights of the new Speedy turnaround process:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_941356780"></span><span id="goog_941356781"></span><span id="goog_941356782"></span><span id="goog_941356784"></span><span id="goog_941356785"></span><span id="goog_941356786"></span><span id="goog_941356787"></span>15 day turnaround preview of applications for technical and competitive merits, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Deadlines for quarterly funding cycles for Public Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance and Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund (GCCMIF).<br />
<span id="goog_941356783"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">December 15 for funding cycle 1;<br />
March 10 for funding cycle 2;<br />
June 10 for funding cycle 3;<br />
September 15 for funding cycle 1 of FY 2012.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Notification of the EDA’s decision for applicants is expected to be annonced within 20 business days of a funding cycle deadline.<br />
<br />
In order for this new process to work applicants must be prepared to have a full application ready including the environmental requirements. In most cases that means an EIR sometimes an EIS but must importantly a FONSI. The new grant process will add a great deal of cost to the front end of your project. Along with speed comes preparedness. Maybe I should have gone with a scout theme?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For details please refer to the Federal Register, October 14th, 2010.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">Buena Suerte!</span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or you could increase your odds by hiring the firm with the 100% and over 20 year funding history with the EDA, <span style="color: #660000;">ESSERGY</span> Consulting!</span>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-16506200936338169802010-10-11T23:02:00.000-07:002011-01-03T23:04:54.376-08:00Protect your EDA grant. Hire the experts @ ESSERGY to get you through the regulations and get all your $’s!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><personname w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Don</span></personname><span style="font-family: Verdana;">’t let this happen to you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Whitewater’s <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Innovation</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype></place>: Economic Development Administration Sends ‘Cease and Desist’ Letter Over Alleged Violation of Competition in Construction Requirements The City of Whitewater<personname w:st="on">,</personname> together with UW-Whitewater and the Whitewater Community Development Authority is undertaking an eleven-million dollar<personname w:st="on">,</personname> publicly-funded technology park project. The centerpiece of that project is an <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Innovation</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype></place> building.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
<a href="http://lawcrosse.com/2010/10/18/work-on-whitewater-technology-park-halted-by-the-eda/">http://lawcrosse.com/2010/10/18/work-on-whitewater-technology-park-halted-by-the-eda/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Make sure you know the EDA regulations before you spend the money. Essergy has over 20 years of experience working EDA public works grants. We have passed GAO audits with flying colors! Hire the experts at Essergy to make sure you receive every reimbursable dollar your project is eligible to receive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-86569810950993307692009-08-05T21:48:00.000-07:002011-01-03T22:47:40.055-08:00ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION PROCESS IMPROVEMENT ROLL-OUT WORKSHOP 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Repost from EDA Invitation</span></u></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION PROCESS IMPROVEMENT ROLL-OUT<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';">(For Coastal and Northern California, Nevada, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Idaho)</span></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On August 20, from 1:30-4:30pm, EDA will introduce its new Process Improvement Plan. This new grant processing program will go into effect on October 1, 2010. As an attendee, this session will offer you the opportunity to learn about the new grant processing system, and ask questions about how the new system will impact your communities. One of the goals of the new system is to make the process more competitive and provide applicants with much faster feedback on their request for funding. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we roll out the Process Improvement Plan, please join us in welcoming EDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs, Ms. Kristine Lee Leiphart, along with Ms. Angela Martinez, EDA’s Senior Advisor and Director of Outreach.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EDA has been in the Economic Development business for more than four decades, and with EDA’s new leadership, we are working towards enhancing our abilities to continue providing top quality service in the field of local Economic Development, and job creation.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When: August 20, 2010 from 1:30-4:30pm<br />
Where: Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel<br />
Camellia Room<br />
1230 J Street<br />
Sacramento, CA 95814 *Driving Directions BELOW<br />
Ph: </span><a href="tel:916-447-1700"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">916-447-1700</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
This meeting will include Seattle Regional Office staff and Economic Development Representatives. It will be hosted by EDA and Dan Ripke, University Center Director, California State University, Chico.<br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">General Directions to the Hotel</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take Interstate 80 West to I-5 South towards Sacramento. Take the J Street Exit, follow J Street, and the hotel will be located on the right side of J Street.</span></span></div><div class="directionlocation1" style="margin: 5.3pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;">From San Francisco (West)</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6.6pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take I-80 East to U.S. 50 East. Take the I-5 North Exit towardsRedding. Exit onto J Street. Proceed on J Street, and the hotel will be located on the right.</span></span></div><div class="directionlocation1" style="margin: 5.3pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;">From Sacramento International Airport</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6.6pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take Interstate 5 South to Sacramento and exit at J Street. Proceed on J Street, and the hotel will be located on the right-hand side between 12th and 13th Streets.</span></span></div><div class="directionlocation1" style="margin: 5.3pt 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;">From South</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6.6pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Travel north on I-5 and exit at J Street. Proceed on J Street, and the hotel will be located on the right-hand side between 12th and 13th Streets.</span></span></div>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-54300191089972954282009-08-02T06:25:00.000-07:002011-01-03T22:44:09.146-08:00NEW GRANT PROCESS<div style="background: #a4a49c;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">NEW Process Information on EDA grants.</span></div><div style="background: #a4a49c;"><br />
</div><div style="background: #a4a49c;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">If you missed the July 8th meeting at USC regarding the new process for applications you can review the slide show<a href="http://www.eda.gov/PDF/2010%20Grant%20Process.pdf">http://www.eda.gov/PDF/2010%20Grant%20Process.pdf</a></span></div>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-85484744166275665162009-07-26T16:26:00.000-07:002011-01-03T22:41:03.767-08:002010 Investment Priorities<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The new <em><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';">EDA Investment Priorities</span></em> for 2010 were released in January 2010 All applications for the new fiscal year must meet the <em><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';"><span id="46_Prioroties">Priorities</span></span></em>and will be judged <span class="highlightspell"></span><span id="58_comprpetitivemen"><span id="70_competitiven">competitively</span></span> on how well their project meets these<em><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';"></span><span id="74_guidleines"><span id="90_guidleines"></span><span id="86_Priorites">Priorities</span></span></em>.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Collaborative Regional Innovation</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Initiatives that support the development and growth of innovation clusters based on existing regional competitive strengths. Initiatives must engage stakeholders; facilitate collaboration among urban, suburban and rural (including Tribal) areas; provide stability for economic development through long-term <span class="highlightspell"><span id="198_intergovernmenta">intergovernmenta</span></span>l and public/private collaboration; and, support the growth of existing and emerging industries.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Public/Private Partnerships</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Investments that use both public and private sector resources and leverage complementary investments by other government/public entities and/or non-profits.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">National Strategic Priorities</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Initiatives that encourage job growth and business expansion in clean energy; green technologies; sustainable manufacturing; information technology (e.g., broadband, smart grid) infrastructure; communities severely impacted by automotive industry restructuring; natural disaster mitigation and resiliency; access to capital for small and medium sized and ethnically diverse enterprises; and, innovations in science, health care and alternative fuel technologies.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Global Competitiveness</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Investments that support high-growth businesses and innovation-based entrepreneurs to expand and compete in global markets.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Environmentally-Sustainable Development</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Investments that encompass best practices in “environmentally sustainable development,” broadly defined, to include projects that enhance environmental quality and develop and implement green products, processes, and buildings as part of the green economy.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #1d6ea8; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Economically Distressed and <span class="highlightspell"><span id="616_Underserved">Underserved</span></span>Communities</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Investments that strengthen diverse communities that have suffered disproportionate economic and job losses and/or are rebuilding to become more competitive in the global economy.</span></span></div><div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span><strong><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Have a question about your project or EDA investments? You can email ASKJill at</span></strong><span class="highlightspell"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';"> <a href="mailto:askjill@essergy.net"><span style="color: purple;">askjill@essergy.net</span></a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16886702475480286.post-81450935853028214072009-07-07T22:37:00.000-07:002011-01-03T22:38:32.462-08:00Welcome!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><b><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #660000;">Essergy</span></span></b></em><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"> invites you to take a look at </span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://askjill.essergy.net/" target="_blank" title="ASKJill"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="color: purple;">http://askjill.essergy.net</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">. Our new blog site offers free information, news, regulation updates, interpretative notes, and advice as you seek EDA funding. Jill and Essergy have a 100% success rate in pursuing EDA funds for clients, totaling over $70 million in two decades and $11 million in commitments over the past year. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Why should you be interested? Because securing EDA funds has just gotten a lot more complex. </span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">On July 8th, 2010, EDA announced a new set of rules that will govern its grant-making. You may find them at </span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://askjill.essergy.net/www.eda.gov" target="_blank" title="EDA"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">www.eda.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">. The new rules are intended to make the grant-making process more transparent,responsive, fairer, and quicker. That is all good news. But that does not mean that all the news is good. Here are some not so good outcomes:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><ul style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The burden for writing a complete application with all other funding and studies in place BEFORE applying now rests entirely on the applicant. No longer do pre-application forms and completion promises allow applicants to “test the waters,” and work up to a full application. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The burden for devising acceptable projects now rests entirely on the applicant. EDA regional representatives no longer will make themselves available to advise and answer questions, or to help shape a proposal into one they would like to fund after the proposal is submitted. The new application is strictly form-driven.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The cost burden has been shifted entirely onto the applicant. There is now a form and a deadline for each application, not an ongoing collaboration honed by EDA help. Applicants must do almost all the work alone, typically incurring considerable time and money cost even before applying.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The process favors large projects, cities, and counties and penalizes smaller municipalities,development areas, and nonprofits. The EDA will apply one uniform set of evaluation standards to large and small entities and projects. Smaller entities that produce fewer jobs and smaller projects risk getting shunted aside.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The new competitive process creates added risk for smaller entities. Each quarter’s applicants are thrown into a single pot, independent of project size, content, or history. Failed applicants may reapply the next quarter. New or improved applications carry the stamp of failure, and now find themselves judged against even greater competition in subsequent quarters.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">EDA rules are arcane and complex and applicants can be eliminated for failure to understand them even before the content of their project is considered. Smaller entities with smaller staffs,who often have not received grants before—or for many years—remain at a distinct disadvantage.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">At best, most economic development/redevelopment departments will receive one or two grants over their history. During that time, rules will have changed significantly. We developed </span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://askjill.essergy.net/" target="_blank" title="AskJill"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="color: purple;">http://askjill.essergy.net</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"> to address that gap, and frankly, to bring us business. We have done it before. Many times. EDA knows us. We also have found “holes” in the new application process that quick acting entities can take advantage of.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">In addition to the freebees to be found at our site,Essergy offers paid services in application writing,project and contract administration, CEDS writing, and other services. We love fixed price work, but work on retainer and daily rates, too. So <em><b><u><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">AskJill</span></u></b></em>, <a href="mailto:askjill@essergy.net"><span style="color: purple;">askjill@essergy.net</span></a> and think about us when you think EDA. And remember that 100% success rate.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Welcome!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jill Dominguez and Dr. Phil Borden</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Principals</span><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif'; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>Jill Dominguez, Essergy Consultinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860885030410972110noreply@blogger.com0