Economic Development Grant Program

The Economic Development Department at RPCGB recently established the agency’s Advance Greater Birmingham - Economic Development Grant (EDG) program. The EDG program was created to support local communities with their economic and community development projects. The goal of this program is to contribute funding to projects and initiatives within the RPCGB six-county service area to bolster local capacity. To learn more about this program and the types of projects it can support, reference the guidelines and application overview links to the left. 

The fy2025 edg cycle is now open. applications are rolling and should be submitted by march 15, 2025.

Have an application question? Reach out to Justin McCleskey, Projects & Initiatives Specialist, at jmccleskey@rpcgb.org.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The funding priorities for this program correlate with the goals identified in the Advance Greater Birmingham – Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for 2023 – 2028. In the application, the applicant must identify which of the four funding priorities the project will support: 

  1. Workforce Development & Retention: Enhance the region’s ability to attract, retain, and continually develop a highly skilled workforce that meets the needs of current industry and can calculate future workforce changes to be adaptable to an ever-changing business environment. 

  2. Business Climate & Entrepreneurship: Support the region’s capacity to provide business support and assistance, especially regarding start-up firms and entrepreneurs. 

  3. Infrastructure: Improve and modernize infrastructure to meet the demands of expanding industries and a growing population. 

  4. Economic Resilience: Bolster market diversification, multi-jurisdictional collaboration, and strategic planning for economic growth and development. 

CURRENT PROGRAM CYCLE

The EDG program important dates are listed to the left. Applicants can only be funded once a year. 

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Eligible Projects: The EDG initiative was developed to be a flexible program to support local projects. As such, the grants awarded through this fund can contribute to an array of programs. Applicants are required to identify the following project type in the application. It is expected that multiple types may be applicable in some instances, based on the project.

Construction: Activities related to critical infrastructure projects, as well as projects related to outdoor recreation. 

Grant Match Funding: This category should be selected if the applicant has applied (or is actively applying) to a state or federal grant in which matching funds are required, and the local community needs additional support with meeting the match requirement.

Planning: Activities related to the local government’s planning efforts, including comprehensive plans, trail/alternative transportation plans, feasibility studies, and economic development strategic plans. 

Community Enhancement: For this application, community enhancement involves an array of potential project activities and can include any project determined to increase the quality of life of local residents or improve the conditions of the local government.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Applicants can request up to $15,000 in grant funding through this program; however, requests for the full $15,000 must be able to demonstrate substantial impact to the local economy or the community’s quality-of-life. RPCGB will work directly with applicants to negotiate award terms and support on an as needed basis.

  • EDG funding cannot be used to fund the following: Operations of established programs; direct payments to individuals; religious organizations for religious purposes; reimbursed expenses (funding was previously spent on the project). RPCGB reserves the right to determine future ineligibility for funding not outlined in the guidelines.

  • Awarded communities should complete this report once the project is finished.