Sec. 4. Rural partnership technical assistance grants
476 words·~2 min read·
/bill/118/hr/7444/ih/section-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (g), the Secretary shall establish a program to award grants, on a competitive basis, for up to a 5-year period, to be administered at the national level through the Under Secretary for Rural Development, for the purpose of advising on and assisting rural community organizations with— Federal grant management and the development of financial management systems; housing or community economic development projects; and the development of placemaking plans and applications for Federal grants.
To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an applicant shall be a qualified private or nonprofit intermediary organization, including an institution of higher education with an existing community development and planning program, including an extension program, that has demonstrated experience and capacity to provide technical assistance on community development and planning in rural areas. An eligible applicant described in subsection
(b)that receives a grant under subsection
(a)may use the grant funds to support the capacity building and economic development of identified rural areas and local partners in those rural areas through the following activities: Training and supporting local staff, including relating to systems development and support. Identifying vetted technical consultants for planning and designing physical infrastructure. Facilitating coordination between Federal agencies and local partners. Providing expertise on developing public-private partnerships. Development and project predevelopment activities. Grant writing and grant management activities. An eligible applicant described in subsection
(b)that receives a grant under subsection
(a)may not use the grant funds— to fund staffing at a for-profit entity; to purchase or lease real property, buildings, or equipment; to support a non-rural area; or for research and development. In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary may give priority to an eligible applicant described in subsection
(b)that serves— a nonmetropolitan area with a high poverty level; or an Indian Tribe with demonstrated support from the Tribal council or duly elected Tribal executive of the appropriate Tribal government. Subject to paragraph (2), an eligible applicant described in subsection
(b)that receives a grant under subsection
(a)shall provide non-Federal matching funds in an amount that is not less than 30 percent of the amount of the grant. The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph
(1)based on the demonstrated need of the area in which activities using the grant are to be carried out, as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a justification for each waiver provided under subparagraph (A). There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this section. The Secretary may retain not more than 2 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section for administration of the program established under this section.