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Economic Development Administration's (EDA) FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jason May, Budget and Grants Management, Director, 704-283-3760
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the County Manager to submit the associated grant application and make necessary assurances and certifications associated with the grant application as substantially consistent with this agenda item, which includes the authorization to execute documents related to award of the grant and budget funds as appropriate.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The EDA FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program supports economic recovery activities in areas that received major disaster declarations in calendar years 2023-2024. The Readiness Path of this grant program provides funding through capacity building and strategic planning projects that set the stage for future investment.
Recently, Union County established an independent, county-level economic development authority. This was a major transition from the previous joint economic development structure with the City of Monroe. This strategic shift creates a timely opportunity to define a clear vision and actionable direction for the county’s economic future.
The proposed project deliverables include a five-year strategic economic development plan and a pre-disaster economic recovery plan.
The five-year strategic economic development plan will align with the Centralina Economic Development District’s regional CEDS (Prosperity for All: 2022–2027), while focusing specifically on Union County’s unique assets, needs, and post-disaster realities. The plan will be developed through an inclusive, data-driven process and will serve as a foundation for future EDA Implementation Path or Industry Transformation Path funding, which are additional opportunities through this same grant program.
The pre-disaster economic recovery plan provides a roadmap for how the County would support businesses, workers, and the overall economy following a disaster. This plan helps to ensure that the economic health of the community is resilient and safeguards the tax base and long-term prosperity of the community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Union County anticipates requesting approximately $200,000 in federal funding, with a 20% local match ($40,000) to be contributed from in-kind staff hours, general fund reserves, and ARPA recovery funds.