Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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Over the holidays, Capitol Hill was still at work, closing the books on the FY23 omnibus budget bill, which was signed by President Biden on December 29. The omnibus packages together individual appropriations bills covering federal government programs, showing us what will be funded in the coming year. Beyond regular programs of interest to Main Street, the bill also includes several important updates for Main Street leaders to be aware of for making the most of federal funding opportunities in the next year.
A few things to keep in mind as you approach federal funding:
Main Street programs at the state, county, or municipal level may benefit from competitive or formula grant programs included in the omnibus bill. Below are listed programs of interest to Main Street leaders included in the bill, with specific programs currently open for application noted.
Historic Preservation Fund – In addition to the competitive grant programs below, the omnibus included increased funding for State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs), essential partners to Main Street redevelopment projects.
Opportunity: Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant program funding was increased significantly and is currently accepting applications. Find application information here and learn how Rethos is helping Minnesota Main Streets through this funding.
Department of Transportation
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Opportunity: The 2023 RAISE Grant program (funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) is now open for application. These grants competitive grants can support downtown revitalization, walkability, streetscape design and other Main Street objectives.
USDA Rural Development – USDA RD programs can support small business development, placemaking and capacity building primarily for Main Street districts in rural areas. Eligibility may vary based on individual grant programs.
Opportunity: FY23 Rural Business Development Grants are open for application. These grants have helped Main Street America and Coordinating Programs create thriving small business ecosystems in Main Street districts.
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Minority Business Development Administration – The Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA) has seen significant growth in recent years. MBDA received $70M in the Omnibus for continued growth of programs supporting minority entrepreneurs.
Opportunity: Applications are open for MBDA’s $93M Capital Readiness Program, offering grants of $3M to entities supporting minority businesses in building capacity and networks to access capital.
Economic Development Administration (EDA) - EDA's programs emphasize regional collaboration to create good paying jobs. In addition to $363.5 million to fund EDA’s ongoing programs, the bill appropriated funding to newer programs focused on reinventing regional economic competitiveness.
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Housing and Urban Development
The Omnibus also included portions of a bill known as the YIMBY - Yes in My Backyard - Act. HUD was awarded $85M for this new grant program which seeks to help communities update zoning codes to reduce barriers to housing production and preservation.
Two years ago, Congressionally Directed Spending, also known as Community Project Funding, (and colloquially known as earmarks) returned to use in both the House and Senate. Main Street programs and related projects are finding success advocating for funding through this system, from streetscape redesign to entrepreneurial support. If you are interested in seeking funding through this process, take steps to build relationships now with your House and Senate offices to educate them on your projects and follow your Members of Congress' emails and social media to be alerted when the submission process begins in the spring. Note: while requests are handled differently by different offices, this FY24 non-profit earmark guide from U.S. Senator Ben Cardin's office is a great overview.
In response to the call for funding for communities impacted by natural disasters over the past year, the bill included a Disaster Supplemental, allocating funding to several key agencies to support recovery and resiliency efforts. Funded programs include CDBG, EDA, and USDA Community Facilities and Rural Housing programs.
Congress has also created a new regional entity to support economic development in the midwest: the Great Lakes Authority. With a structure like other regional commissions such as the Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Authority, the Great Lakes Authority will support Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Finally, the Omnibus bill included provisions changing some American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund rules, opening the possibility of using these funds for infrastructure projects. Broadly, communities can use up to $10M or 30% of their ARPA allocation on uses allowable under CDBG.
Understanding the Advisory Council on Historic Preservations report on federal historic preservation standards.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Michael Jarosz, Coordinator of Government Relations, provides details on this productive day on the Hill and offers insights into the impacts that are already emerging from their advocacy efforts.
Learn how the HUD Pro Housing Program and other opportunities can help you increase affordable housing in your community.
Learn how Majd Alsaif, Celeste Constancio, and Leilani Commons supported Main Street America this summer.
Learn how you can participate in the Thriving Communities program as a capacity builder or how you can receive support from the program.
Learn how the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the Clean Communities Accelerator Fund (CCIA) will pump billions of dollars into reducing carbon emissions from the built environment in the coming years.
Main Street America is leading a coalition urging that the EPA make available the GGRF funds for adaptive reuse and location-efficient projects because of the substantial greenhouse gas emissions reduction offered by such developments.
Learn the results of our Capitol Hill Day, the first to bring Main Street leaders together around a Main Street-focused agenda.
Community Development Block Grants are powerful tools for Main Street programs. Learn more about how CDBG's can be applied to our work and how you can advocate for the program
Two years after the American Rescue Plan Act, we are celebrating successful Main Street projects and sharing lessons learned in advocating for federal funds.
Kelly Humrichouser, Director of Government Relations, shares a short guide on how you can reach out to your representatives and engage them in a conversation about the importance of your work.
Main Street America is proud to support the Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act
How do those amazing Main Street rehabilitation projects happen? And what policies and public support make them happen? In the Behind the Ribbon Cutting series, we look at a project or businesses from concept to opening day to break down the partnerships and funding brought to bear and recognize how we can advocate for policies and resources for revitalization across the country.
Astoria, OR © ADHDA
Main Streets and small businesses are benefiting from the strategic use of ARPA State and Local Recovery Funds through the advocacy and innovation of local leaders and decision-makers.
San Marcos, TX © Andy Heatwole
After more than five years of consistent advocacy, the 20 percent historic tax credit (HTC) has survived the most significant rewrite of the tax code in more than 30 years.
In the midst of this human and cultural disaster, the Main Street program, managed by the Ellicott City Partnership, collaborated with Preservation Maryland to provide a variety of disaster relief financing that helped expedite the recovery.
As Main Street practitioners, our work is constantly impacted by decisions made by governing bodies at the local, state and federal level.
We measure the effectiveness of our last marketing campaign, weigh whether the investment in new street lights outweigh the political capital spent, and debate if the thousands of volunteer hours are worth the impacts created by a one-day event.
