Title
Resolution Approving Submittal of USDA Local Foods Planning Grant Proposal
Body
Department: Neighborhood Development
Council District: All
Public Hearing: n/a
Advertising Date/By: n/a
Contact 1 and Phone: Barbara Harris, Neighborhood Development 373-2509
Contact 2 and Phone: Hanna Cockburn, Planning, 574-3576
PURPOSE:
City Council is asked to approve a resolution for the submittal of a $25,000 grant proposal to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a local foods planning grant.
BACKGROUND:
The USDA announced the availability of approximately $15,000,000 as part of the 2014 farm bill to be awarded to applicants for local foods planning and implementation needs. The grant will allow planning assistance for the development, improvement, and/or expansion of local and regional food business enterprise supply chain activities.
If awarded, there will be a joint departmental effort between Neighborhood Development, Planning, and Parks & Recreation to establish and expand local food enterprises. This will include analyzing and identifying priority areas with limited food access and identifying the expected benefits of local food projects in the specified areas.
The City of Greensboro plans to request the maximum planning grant allocation of $25,000 for the stipulated one year performance period. The grant period must begin no later than September 30, 2014. After the planning grant is completed, an application for the implementation funding can be submitted for a maximum amount of $200,000 to be completed within a two year performance period. The implementation grant can be used to establish new local and regional food business enterprises, or to improve or expand existing local or regional food business enterprises. This can include, but is not limited to, technical assistance, outreach and marketing, and non-construction infrastructure improvements to business enterprise facilities.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Matching funds are required in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to 25% of the total cost of the project ($8,500). The local match would be provided from in-kind contributions (city staff time) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
City Council is asked to authorize a resolution approving the submittal of a $25,000 grant proposal to the US Department of Agriculture for a local foods planning grant.