The U.S. Economic Development Administration is reviewing applications received for the following American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) awards on a rolling basis:

Applications for these awards received by November 1 are tentatively scheduled to be reviewed at the end of the November by the EDA’s Investment Review Committee. The EDA is still accepting applications for all ARPA sub-awards, including Phase 1 applications for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. The final deadline for Phase 1 is October 19. Contact Jillian Donatto or call 631-897-3817 for technical assistance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program provides grants to food processors, distributors, farmers markets, and producers to respond to coronavirus, including measures to protect workers against COVID-19. Approximately $650 million is available to fund applications through the PRS grants program, with awards ranging from $1,500 to $20,000. The first round of funding will be reserved for small businesses primarily in small scale specialty crop production. Once satisfied, the second round may expand eligibility to larger firms not covered by the first round. The deadline to apply for the USDA’s PRS Grant Program is November 7. Learn More.

In response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 Delta Variant, the U.S. Small Business Administration has announced major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. Key changes include an increase in the COVID EIDL Cap from $500,000 to $2 million, the implementation of a deferred payment period, an expansion of eligible use of funds, and a greater simplification of application requirements. The deadline to apply for the EIDL program is December 31. Learn more.

To address the impacts of COVID-19 and to support Texas’ continued economic recovery, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) approved funding to support a new child care program to help workers in TWC-specified service industries. To be eligible for child care support, at least one parent must be employed or entering employment in one of the TWC-specified service industries. The TWC Service Industry Recovery Child Care Program allows Texas parents to receive 12 months of child care assistance without a Parent Share of Cost. Learn more.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America. 

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program (Ongoing) 

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (Ongoing)  

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (Ongoing)

Emergency Rural Health Care - Recovery & Impact Grants (October 12, 2021)

U.S. Department of Agriculture grants to broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities.

Build Back Better Regional Challenge (Phase 1: October 19, 2021 | Phase 2: March 15, 2022) 

Statewide Planning, Research & Networks (October 31, 2021, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program (November 7, 2021)

American Rescue Plan Additional Assistance Funding (November 8, 2021)  

Federal Transit Administration grants to eligible recipients of Urbanized Area Formula funds or Rural Area Formula funds that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, require additional assistance for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, and sanitation combatting the spread of pathogens on transit systems, and debt service payments incurred to maintain operations and avoid layoffs and furloughs.

Connecting Minority Communities Program (December 1, 2021)  

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (December 3, 2021)

Good Jobs Challenge (January 26, 2022) 

Economic Adjustment Assistance (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis)  

Indigenous Communities (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

October 6 | Bringing Back Downtown Retail After COVID-19 | American Downtown Revitalization Review and the University of Wisconsin Madison – Extension

October 6 | How Your City Can Access the Economic Development Administration's $3B ARPA Funds to Build Back Better | National League of Cities

Hosted by the National League of Cities, join EDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy for an overview of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) opportunities, with a special focus on the Build Back Better Regional Challenge ($1 billion) and the Good Jobs Challenge ($500 million), which can help cities build their workforce and economies.

October 7 | How to Implement ARPA Grant Management for Small Cities and Towns | National League of Cities

This webinar is for city officials and staff who are primarily responsible for managing their city’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grant, and will cover everything from payment and cash management, to close-out and reporting requirements associated with the grant.

October 15 | Leveraging City and Community Partnerships to Address COVID-19 | National League of Cities

Join the National League of Cities as they share information about specific opportunities and resources available to address challenges and remove barriers that inhibit vaccine confidence and access. The Metropolitan Group (a public affairs firm) will be joining to debut a new communications toolkit to support city leaders and local stakeholders in improving vaccine confidence and uptake.

October 13 | 2021 BRIC and FMA Program Webinar Series | Federal Emergency Management Agency

Join the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the 2021 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program Webinar series. Ryan Janda, Hazard Mitigation Assistance Non-Disaster Grants Implementation Branch Chief, will lead a federal panel discussion on the importance of partnerships for FEMA's grant programs. These webinars are bringing FEMA subject-matter experts and partners together to provide technical information, best practices, tools, and resources regarding these grant programs.

October 27 | Economy Series: October Economic Update | Greater Houston Partnership

Greater Houston Partnership is hosting the October edition of their monthly Economic Series to present the most current data on the region and what the data tells us about the local economy. This webinar will look back at what factors influenced Houston’s recovery in 2021 and provide a peek into where the economy is headed in 2022.

In-Person Events:  

October 29 | Resiliency and Recovery Workshop, South Texas - Don't Mess With Texas | Texas Economic Development Council 

Visit the GCEDD website for information and links to local, regional, and partner organizations that have additional resources and information on economic recovery. A select list is presented below.