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business for capital expenses (land, building, equipment, site development). Funds_ from this grant category must be utilized to create jobs or retain existing jeopardized jobs, primarily for low/moderate income persons. Economic Development CDBG funds may be used for the following activities: acquisition of real property; acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of commercial land, industrial buildings and structures; purchase of capitalized machinery and equipment with a useful life of at least five years; energy conservation improvements designed to encourage the efficient use of energy resources; public, commercial, or industrial real property or infrastructure improvements; • Activities to remove barriers that restrict elderly or handicapped access to publicly or privately owned buildings, facilities, and improvements. • Activities designed to provide job training and placement and/or other employment support services on behalf of the participating party. CDBG Application Cycle Commercial Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, and Neighborhood Revitalization CDBG applications are subject to an annual application cycle. The next application deadline is tentatively March 12, 2015. The time frame to apply for the Economic Development CDBG portion however, is different. Instead of being limited to annual cycles, Economic Development CDBG applications may be submitted monthly. Economic Development CDBG applications are related to private development projects that need public infrastructure. CDBG Application Process The CDBG application process involves various steps, including: • Advertising for, and holding a first public hearing to obtain public input on the County's economic and community development needs. • Advertising for, and holding a second public hearing to apply for a specific CDBG category. • Holding one Fair Housing Workshop. • Conducting a Citizen Advisory Task Force (CATF) Meeting to discuss potential project alternatives for the CDBG application. Please note that a CATF meeting was held November 6, 2014. • Advertising for and selecting a consultant to administer the CDBG Grant. At this time, the Board of County Commissioners is to hold the first public hearing. If after the first public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners chooses to continue with the application process, the second public hearing will be scheduled in front of the Board of County Commissioners (tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2015). At the second public hearing, staff will also request BCC approval to submit a CDBG application in the most appropriate CDBG category. A CATF meeting and a Fair Housing workshop was conducted on November 6, 2014 to solicit comments from the CATF members and the public on the recommended categories and educate on fair housing guidelines. The CATF unanimously with a 3-0 vote approved the West Wabasso Sewer Phase II and the East Gifford Drainage Project. 3 90