Hamilton County Economic Impact Program

CDBG funds are restricted to projects that:

• Benefit residents and businesses in a low to moderate income area
• Create or retain jobs for low-to-moderate income employees
• Remove slum/blighted buildings
• Follow all CDBG regulations including federal prevailing wage regulations

CRG funds support projects that:

• Have a direct link to job creation and/or job retention, and/or overall community revitalization efforts.
• Projects involving real and immediate benefits (no studies, or similar efforts unless included in the scope of a construction or job creation projects.
• Projects located throughout Hamilton County are eligible, but the intention of the Community Revitalization Grant is to award funds to projects and communities with a proven financial need and a lack of alternative resources.
• Consideration will also be given to projects involving partnerships and financial commitment from the applicant and/or their partners.

What Cannot be Funded?

• CDBG funds cannot be used for private infrastructure; acquisition or improvements to government owned buildings or land; cultural or sports centers; and airports or hospitals.
• In addition, CRG funds cannot be used for studies or similar efforts unless it is included in the scope of a construction or job creation project. Projects should involve real and immediate benefits.

• A complete application must be submitted for each project by the deadline of February 7th, at 5:00pm.
• County staff will review all submissions and underwrite project applications and forward them to the Economic Impact Program Advisory Committee.
• The Committee of community and economic development professionals will review and score the applications based on a select scoring criteria which will be shared with communities.
• Recommendations will be made to the County Administrator for final approval. See program timetable for additional details.

Overall Scoring Criteria

Project Readiness

• Site is controlled and/or properly zoned. Factors include no pending litigation or liens filed against property; no rezoning or special use permit required
• Factors also include utilities are adequate at site; right-of-way vacated; architectural plans completed; site plan completed
• Engineering reports detailing property condition completed; environmental study completed; appraisal completed

Project Support

• Implementation of specific recommendations included in an adopted local or County plan
• Number of public and private entities actively partnering on the project
• Amount of public and private funding committed to the project
• Number of public and private entities submitting letter of support for the project
• Any matching or leveraging of funds will account for higher scores

Property Improvements and Placed-Based Investments

• Number of development projects and initiatives near proposed project during the last 2 years and in the next 5 years
• Estimate of property value prior to improvements and estimate post-improvements

Economic Development

• Number of jobs / type of jobs (FT/PT) full time equivalents (FTEs)
• Number of businesses assisted
• Property investment resulting from the project

Discretionary Points

• Past project performance and/or prior project status
• Complete, detailed, and clear application
• Project supports sustainability efforts
• Return on investment with projected tax generation, supported by State or Federal funding, etc.

CDBG/CEDAP Scoring Specific Criteria

Loan Versus Grant

• Loans of CDBG funds are preferred over grants, requesting a higher percentage of funds as a grant will receive fewer points

If you have any questions about the program or possible projects, please contact:

• CEDAP-CDBG specific: April Gallelli at [email protected]  
• CRG specific: Kelly Adamson at [email protected]  

For project specific questions please connect with:

• Dan Ferguson at [email protected]