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For the 2002 CDBG cycle, the application submittal deadline is March, 2002. In order to apply for CDBG funds, the Board of County Commissioners must first authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire a consultant. The chosen consultant will then write the grant application, and the County will submit the application. If the grant is awarded to the County, the consultant will be paid for both writing the grant and administering it from the block grant award. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS CDBG Program Under the CDBG program, there are two groups of grant categories. Three CDBG categories comprise the first group. These are: Commercial Revitalization, Housing ghborhood Revitalization. Indian River County may receive a Rehabilitation, and Nei grant in only one of the three categories in the first group. If awarded a Commercial Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, or Neighborhood Revitalization grant, the county may not apply for another grant in any of those three categories until that grant is closed. Following is a description of each of the three CDBG categories: Commercial Revitalization Various improvements may be funded in commercial areas. Eligible projects include parking facilities, drainage, street paving, sidewalks, lighting, recreation facilities, potable water services, and sanitary sewer services. This category is very competitive. Housing Rehabilitation Substandard housing occupied by income eligible households may be rehabilitated to meet code requirements. Both owner occupied and rental housing may be included. Recipients are eligible in the entire jurisdiction. Dilapidated housing may be demolished and cleared, and financing is provided to the displaced occupants for replacement housing. _Neighborhood Revitalization This category is primarily for potable water and sanitary sewer installation or replacement (including hook-ups), street paving, and drainage improvements in low/moderate income neighborhoods. Funds may also be used to purchase and develop property as sites for low/moderate income housing. This is a very competitive grant category. The second group consists only of the Economic Development category. This grant category is independent of the other three categories. In the same fiscal year that Indian River County applies for a grant in a category from the first group, the county may also choose to apply for funds in the Economic Development category. Even if Indian River County has an open Commercial Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, or Neighborhood Revitalization grant, an economic development CDBG application can still be submitted to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for consideration. The following is a description of the Economic Development category: Economic Development Funds are available to local governments to provide necessary infrastructure or sites for new businesses or business expansions. Local governments may also lend funds directly to the 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 which restrict access for the elderly or handicapped to publicly owned and privately owned buildings, facilities, and improvements; and activities designed to provide job training and placement and/or other employment support services on behalf of the participating party. OCTOBER 23, 2001i} -68-