Lt. Governor Karyn Polito with Urban Agenda Grant winners, January 2019

The deadline to apply for the 2020 Urban Agenda Grant Program is November 8, 2019, according to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED).

The program is seeking proposals from eligible municipalities for projects that entail community-driven responses to community-defined economic opportunities, and that build leadership, collaboration, and capacity at the local level.

Here is the 2020 Urban Agenda RFP and Guidelines.

Listen to the Bidders Conference Call on October 11, 2019.

This program is designed to support community economic development that is grounded in collaboration and local leadership development. Urban communities that meet certain household income benchmarks (median household income less than 90 percent of the state’s average income) are eligible to apply.

EOHED intends for the grant program to serve both Gateway and non-Gateway cities, of varying sizes. Applications must be spearheaded by the eligible municipality in partnership with a main community organization, one of which shall act as the lead applicant.

This year’s Urban Agenda Program will incorporate recommendations provided by the Black and Latino Advisory Commissions. Applications that contribute to a coordinated effort to increase entrepreneurship and workforce opportunities of Black and Latino populations, will be the most competitive in this year’s program. Projects are encouraged to enhance partnerships from within the Black and Latino communities and prioritize changes that will enhance community partnerships, strengthen small business, increase workforce participation, and expand opportunity in a way that drives diversity and inclusiveness.

The Application Opened Monday, September 30, 2019. and the deadline is Friday, November 8, 2019 at 5 p.m..  Awards Notification and Contracting takes place in December 2019. Anticipated Contract Start is  January 2020 – the exact timeline and schedule will be negotiated during contract phase.