The FY2024-25 Community and Economic Development Grant Program, offered by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, provides funding opportunities for municipalities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations within the county to support projects that promote local community and economic development. Eligible projects can include public/private cooperative initiatives and regional economic development efforts. The program is particularly focused on projects with measurable economic outcomes, such as job creation or retention, to ensure significant local impact. Special consideration will also be given to fiscally disadvantaged projects that may struggle to secure traditional funding sources.

For this grant cycle, the total funding pool is $130,000, divided into two categories: an Impact Grant and Standard Grants. The Impact Grant, with a total allocation of $60,000, is designed for a single, larger-scale project that has the potential to create substantial community or economic benefits. The remaining $70,000 is designated for Standard Grants, with a maximum award of $15,000 per project. While matching funds are not a requirement, projects that can demonstrate additional funding support may be viewed more favorably.

The deadline for submitting grant applications is 5 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024. All applications must be submitted via the county's online grant portal, which requires applicants to create an account to manage their submissions. Applicants should prepare and upload project budgets as separate PDF documents, and any letters of support must be compiled into a single PDF file for submission. The application process will be managed by the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County (EDALC), which will verify eligibility and review the submissions before passing recommendations to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners for final approval.

To assist applicants, a virtual grant workshop is scheduled for Monday, November 4, at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom. This workshop, facilitated by EDALC, will provide detailed information on the application process, eligibility criteria, and requirements. Registration for the workshop is available through a specified link, and participation is recommended for those seeking guidance on preparing a competitive application.

Following the application review, EDALC's Board of Directors will evaluate the proposals based on the program criteria and will make funding recommendations to the County Commissioners. Successful applicants will be notified of their awards electronically by the end of March 2025. For additional assistance or inquiries regarding the grant process, applicants can contact Paul Schuytema, EDALC’s Executive Director, via email.

Overall, the grant program is a significant opportunity for organizations in Lincoln County to obtain financial support for projects that can drive community growth and economic resilience, addressing local needs and fostering development.