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DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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The Division of Community Development provides a wide variety of services to the municipalities, parishes, and special purpose districts within the ten parishes of northwest Louisiana to address the greatly varying needs that face them. These needs range from infrastructure improvements such as roads and streets, water and sewer systems, to housing rehabilitation for low-moderate income families, to economic development projects which create jobs. To accomplish its objectives, the Division of Community Development undertakes tasks which include:
Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) The LCDBG program provides funds to help strengthen community development, revitalization, and private investment, which will benefit at least 51% low and moderate income persons and will help eliminate or prevent slums and blight. Applications for LCDBG funds are submitted every two years, with the exception of Demonstrated Needs and Economic Development, (addressed below). Regular LCDBG applications include the following project categories and funding limits:
LCDBG Demonstrated Needs Grants LCDBG Demonstrated Needs grants may be applied for at any time during the state’s two year funding cycle, and must remedy an emergency situation (occurred within three months of application) such as a ruptured sewer line, leaking water tank, etc. This type of grant has a funding limit of $225,000. The LaSTEP Grants program is a small set-aside program under the LCDBG grant program. It is designed to provide water and wastewater services to communities with low and moderate income residents who have not been successful in obtaining funds through the traditional LCDBG grant process. It is a self-help initiative that requires the reduction of project costs down to absolute essential and the utilization of a community’s resources, i.e., volunteer labor, materials, and financing. Maximum funding limit is $750,000. LCDBG Economic Development Program The LCDBG economic development program provides grants and loans of up to $1,035,000 in order to help a business open or expand. These funds can be used to make infrastructure improvements such as extension of water, sewer, roads, and the construction or rehabilitation of buildings and improvements. The company benefiting from this program must agree to create at least 10 new jobs, hire at least 60% low-moderate income employees, and invest in the business an amount of money equal to or greater than the LCDBG funds invested. Businesses that receive a grant can request up to $10,000 per job created, and those that receive loans may request up to $15,000 per job created. Economic development applications can also be submitted at any time during the state’s two year funding cycle. Preparation of LCDBG Applications The Division of Community Development prepares and submits LCDBG applications for parishes and municipalities at no charge. However, within the grant ceiling amounts, the State allows applicants to request funds for the reimbursement of pre-agreement costs (application preparation fees), administrative costs, and engineering and architectural fees. Administration of LCDBG Projects Municipal and Parish governments which receive LCDBG funds must adhere to an overwhelming collection of federal and state regulations that control the expenditure of these monies. The LCDBG program presents a problem to many grantees because they do not have personnel on staff with the time and training necessary to ensure compliance with the required regulations. The Division of Community Development serves the municipalities and parishes of northwest Louisiana by providing LCDBG administrative services to grantees. Payment for these services comes from the grant funds. Any administrative expenses that the grantee must incur as a result of the project are also paid for from grant funds. Louisiana Capital Outlay Budget Request Applications The Division of Community Development also assists parishes, municipalities, and other special purpose districts with the preparation and submission of Capital Outlay applications. These applications are submitted to the Office of Facility Planning and Control, Capital Outlay Section, by November 1 each year, and cover projects which have a useful life of 20 years or more, and a cost of at least $100,000. Examples of eligible projects include: land acquisition, site development and improvement, acquisition or construction of buildings or other structures, additions or expansions to existing facilities, major repair or renovation of existing facilities, installation, extension or replacement of utility systems, roof replacement, hazardous material abatement, fixed equipment, and initial equipment and furnishings for new buildings. Capital Outlay applications must be endorsed by and submitted through the applicant’s state legislators. Harry Risor |
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