Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program

Notice of Funding Availability

The Department of Community Affairs, Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, announces the availability of $2,062,861 ($1,462,861 in emergency set-aside funds and $600,000 in deobligated funds) for disaster recovery projects related to the tornadoes that occurred on February 2, 2007. Eligible applicants are those local governments that currently participate in the Florida Small Cities CDBG Program in the following counties. Communities may apply jointly or individually for the funding.

County                   Eligible Applicants

Lake                        Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland,

                                Howey-in-the-Hills, Leesburg, Mascotte,

                                Minneola, Mount Dora, Umatilla

Seminole                No eligible applicants

Sumter               Bushnell, Center Hill, Coleman, Webster,

                                Wildwood, Sumter County

Volusia                   Ponce Inlet

The emergency set-aside funding may be used for any CDBG eligible activity that is needed in order to recover from the effects of the tornadoes that occurred on February 2, 2007. The purpose of the funds is to fund eligible activities that address serious, urgent community needs that pose an immediate and direct threat to the health, safety and welfare of residents of low and moderate-income. The activities to be funded must be documented as being directly related to the disaster event covered in the Governor’s Executive Order 07-21. The amount of funds requested shall be limited to that amount necessary to address an emergency need resulting from the tornado damage. Communities that did not receive substantial damage should not apply for funding.

At least 51% of the funding must benefit low and moderate-income persons. Eligible communities that are interested in receiving funding must provide a Statement of Intent to Apply for the funds no later than March 13, 2007. The statement can be transmitted to the Department by fax (850)922-5609 or by regular mail to: Department of Community Affairs, Florida Small Cities CDBG Program, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100. In order to apply, local governments must also provide the following information to the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST), March 30, 2007:

1.     Name of Local Government

2.     Address

3.     Telephone and Fax Numbers

4.     Email Address

5.     Proposed project budget, including the total dollar amount being requested

6.     Cover letter signed by the Chief Elected Official

7.     Narrative that includes a description of the needs of the community, the activities that will be undertaken, the proposed service area and the approximate number of low and moderate-income persons that will benefit from the project.

8.     Damage assessment data to support the funding request.

9.     Aerial photographs of the damage.

The requested information must be submitted to:

Florida Small Cities CDBG Program

Department of Community Affairs

2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100

Federal and State requirements, including 24 CFR 570, Subpart I, and Rule Chapter 9B-43, Florida Administrative Code, related to the regular Florida Small Cities CDBG Program must be met. Local governments are encouraged to contact the Department if planning or administrative support is needed.

Please contact Esrone McDaniels, Administrator of the Florida Small Cities CDBG Program at (850)487-3644 or esrone.mcdaniels@dca.state.fl.us if you have questions or need additional information.