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AVCOG’s Community and Economic Development Planning staff
provides a broad array of planning services and support for municipal
officials. Staff is available to assist member communities with
the development of a local strategy and how to take full advantage
of existing financial resources for infrastructure development.
Staff also prepares and updates the Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy (CEDS) for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties.
The goal of the CEDS process is to facilitate the planning process
for the region by generating a locally based blueprint for economic
growth and development. The CEDS also allows towns within the tri-county
area to be eligible for Federal Economic Development Administration
(EDA) funding and identifies specific economic development projects.
Project Financing Assistance for Municipalities
AVCOG also assists member towns in the identification of potential
infrastructure projects and provides technical assistance with the
development of applications for both the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) program and the Federal Economic Development Administration
(EDA).
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): AVCOG
provides assistance to Western Maine communities seeking financing
through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The
CDBG Program helps local governments implement programs that:
- benefit low and moderate income persons;
- are part of a long range community strategy;
- improve deteriorated residential and business districts and
local economic conditions;
- provide the conditions and incentives for further public and
private investment; and
- foster partnerships between groups of municipalities, state
and federal entities, organizations and the private sector to
address common community and economic development problems.
Programs available through the CDBG program include Housing Assistance,
Public Infrastructure, Public Facilities, Downtown Revitalization,
Community Planning and more. For more information on the CDBG Program
including the program statement and all program applications please
visit the CDBG program website at www.meocd.org
US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
(EDA):
EDA assists rural and urban areas experiencing high unemployment,
low income, or other severe economic distress, such as sudden and
severe economic dislocations including: recovering from the economic
impacts of natural disasters, the closure of military installations
and other Federal facilities, changing trade patterns, and the depletion
of natural resources. The most common use of EDA dollars is within
the following programs:
- Public Works: EDA investments fund locally-developed public
works infrastructure projects to allow communities to establish
and support private sector businesses. EDA public works investments
have assisted in creating more than 1.5 million jobs since 1965.
- Local Technical Assistance: EDA’s local technical assistance
grants help to fill the knowledge gaps that inhibit communities
from responding to development opportunities or solving specific
economic problems. A common purpose of these grants is to determine
the feasibility of proposed economic development investments.
For more information on EDA and their programs visit their website
at www.eda.gov
To discuss a potential project or request assistance contact:
Amy Landry,
Economic Development Planner
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