Pre-application for Investment Assistance

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Form ED-900P (Rev. 04/06)
OMB Control No. 0610-0094
Expires 04/30/2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

PRE-APPLICATION
FOR INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) uses the Pre-application for Investment
Assistance (pre-application) to evaluate proposals for investment assistance under EDA's
economic development assistance programs. If an investment proposal meets EDA's
statutory, regulatory, and competitive selection criteria, the proponent may be invited by EDA to
submit an Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900A). Please visit our Internet
website at www.eda.gov for more information on EDA's programs and requirements, including
current Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcements.
PWEDA Section 201
(CFDA No. 11.300) Public
Works and Economic
Development Program
PWEDA Section 203
(CFDA No. 11.302)

Planning Program
PWEDA Section 207
(CFDA No. 11.303) National,
Local and University Center
Technical Assistance Program
PWEDA Section 207
(CFDA No. 11.312)
Research and
Evaluation Program
PWEDA Section 209
(CFDA No. 11.307)
Economic Adjustment
Assistance Program

Page
Part I: Proposals for EDA Investment Assistance
Part II: Regional Eligibility
Part III: Maximum Allowable EDA Investment Rates

3
9
11

Pre-application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900P)
OMB Control No. 0610-0094
Expires 04/30/2009
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless the collection of information displays a
currently valid OMB Control Number.
The information requested in the Pre-application for Investment Assistance is required to obtain
or retain benefits from EDA pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.). The reasons for collecting this information are to
enable proponents to submit proposals for financial assistance, and to assist EDA in determining
proponents' eligibility and compliance with legal and programmatic requirements. The
information submitted on the pre-application and in accompanying documents is subject to public
disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552), unless exempt
from disclosure as trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information
under 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4).
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 8 hours per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and completing the preapplication. Comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing paperwork burden may be sent to: Economic
Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20230, and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503.

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I. PROPOSALS FOR EDA INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
A. General Instructions
Please answer all questions completely and accurately and provide a concise narrative statement
for the each of the questions below (in the order listed). The pre-application narrative need not
exceed four (4) pages in length. Proponents should consult EDA's program requirements and
evaluation criteria set forth in 13 C.F.R. chapter III, as supplemented by the applicable FFO
announcement, when completing the pre-application. Proponents are encouraged to contact an
EDA representative for assistance in completing this pre-application. Preparation of a preapplication may involve coordination with other local, State and federal agencies.
One (1) original and two (2) copies of the entire pre-application (including all forms and
attachments) must be submitted to the appropriate Economic Development Representative (EDR)
or EDA regional office servicing your region, as listed in the FFO.
Public Works and Economic Development and Economic Adjustment Assistance projects must
satisfy regional eligibility requirements (see 13 C.F.R. § 301.3); if applicable, complete Part II
(Regional Eligibility) of the pre-application. All proponents must complete Part III (Maximum
Allowable EDA Investment Rates) of the pre-application.
B. Investment (Project) Region
1. Identify the region (as defined in 13 C.F.R. § 300.3) where the project will be located and
where the benefits of the EDA investment will be received.
2. Provide a detailed description of the region, including information about the project's expected
economic impact.
C. Investment (Project) Description
1. Provide a detailed description of the complete scope of work for the proposed investment.
2. Describe the components of the proposed investment. For construction investments, attach an
original or clear copy of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map clearly showing
the geographical location of the project.

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D. Economic Development Needs
1. Briefly describe the economic development needs for the proposed investment and how it
addresses the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
(CEDS) for the region (if any). See 13 C.F.R. part 303.
2. Briefly describe the economic conditions of the region where the project will be located, the
economic adjustment problems, or the severity of the economic dislocation the region has
experienced (or is about to experience) and how the economic development of the region that
is being (or will be) affected.
E. Investment (Project) Impact
Discuss how the proposed investment satisfies EDA's "Investment Policy Guidelines" set forth
in 13 C.F.R. § 301.8 (as supplemented by the applicable FFO announcement).
F. Funding Priorities
Discuss how the proposed investment satisfies the EDA funding priorities set forth in the
applicable FFO announcement.
G. Proponent's Capability
Briefly describe the proponent's capability to administer, implement, and attract private sector
investments to the project.
H. Proposed Time Schedule for the Project
Provide a proposed time schedule for completion of the project, including when (month/year)
the project will begin and end and identify significant project milestones.
I. Project Beneficiaries
Identify private sector employers who will benefit from the project, and attach letters of
commitment, if available.

Company

Products and
Services

Jobs
Saved

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Jobs
Created

Private
Sector
Investment
Capital

Indicate
Committed
or Interest
Only

J. Civil Rights
1. Does the proponent understand and agree to comply with all applicable civil rights
requirements (see 13 C.F.R. § 302.20), including the requirement to provide signed
assurances of compliance?
Yes

No (Explain)

2. Do identified "Other Parties" (as defined in 13 C.F.R. § 302.20(b)) understand and agree to
comply with all applicable civil rights requirements, including the requirement to provide signed
assurances of compliance?
Yes

No (Explain)

No Other Parties Identified

K. Proposed Project Budget

Estimated Non-Construction Project
Budget

Estimated Construction Project Budget
Administrative Expenses

$

Personnel

$

Land, Structures, Rights of
Way, Easements

$

Fringe Benefits

$

Relocation and Costs Incidental $
to Acquisition

Travel

$

Architectural and Engineering
Costs and Inspection Fees

$

Equipment

$

Site Work

$

Supplies

$

Construction and Demolition

$

Contractual

$

Equipment

$

Other

$

Contingencies

$

Total Direct Charges

$

Indirect Charges

$

Total Estimated
Project Cost

$

Total Estimated Project
Cost

$

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L. Non-EDA Project Funding
1. Identify each source, nature and amount of all non-EDA funds, including in-kind contributions
(as defined in 13 C.F.R. § 300.3). Explain the status of all funding commitments, including
the date the funds will be available from each source, and describe any conditions or
restrictions on the use of such funds.

2. Are all non-EDA funds committed to the project, available as needed and not encumbered in
any way that would preclude their use consistent with the purpose of the project? See 13
C.F.R. § 301.5.
 Yes

 No

3. Discuss the actions that need to be taken and the timing required to secure the non-EDA
funds.

4. Does the proponent plan to seek other federal financial assistance as part of or in connection
with this project? If so, please describe the source, amount and any terms and conditions of
the funding, and when the funding will be available for use by the proponent.
 Yes

 No

5. Is the requested EDA investment assistance available from any other federal economic
development program?
 Yes (identify source and provide an explanation of why EDA investment assistance is
required)
 No
Proponents must also complete Part III of the pre-application.

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M. Title, Ownership, Operation, Maintenance and Management (Construction Projects)
1. Briefly describe plans for the ownership, operation, maintenance and management of project
facilities, including any land, improved land, structures, appurtenances thereto, other
improvements, or personal property.

2. Will real property or project facilities to be acquired or improved with the EDA investment
assistance be owned, operated or maintained by an entity other than the proponent?
See 13 C.F.R. § 314.7.
 Yes (explain)

 No

3. Will real property or project facilities to be acquired or improved with the EDA investment
assistance, including any industrial or commercial park acreage, be mortgaged or used as
collateral or is any real property to be used for this project currently mortgaged or being
used for collateral? See 13 C.F.R. § 314.6.
 Yes (explain)

 No

4. Will the proponent provide EDA a security interest and/or covenant of use in the real property
or significant items of tangible personal property acquired or improved with EDA
investment assistance? See 13 C.F.R. § 314.9.
 Yes

 No (explain)

5. If the EDA investment assistance will be used to develop or improve an industrial or
commercial park, identify the owners of the park acreage and provide an estimate of the
number of acres benefiting from the proposed investment.

6. Discuss plans for the sale or lease of any real property or project facilities to be acquired or
improved with EDA investment assistance. For privately-owned land, is the private owner of
the vacant acreage willing to enter into an agreement to limit the sale price of the improved
land, for a reasonable period of time, to its fair market value before improvements?
 Yes (explain)

 No

7. Is (or was) any real property to be acquired or improved with the proposed EDA investment
assistance subject to eminent domain proceedings?
 Yes (explain)

 No

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N. Environmental (Construction Projects)
1. Provide a brief physical description of the project site noting topography, vegetation, water
bodies, and location and condition of any man-made structures or buildings. If available,
provide a Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of the sensitive environmental
areas, including contaminated sites, archeological sites, properties or sites listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, and wetlands, that are within a two-mile radius of the
project site.
2. Will the project be located in or adjacent to a floodplain or wetland area?
 Yes (explain)

No 

Not Applicable

3. Will the project be located in or adjacent to an area with known hazardous or toxic
contamination?
 Yes (explain)

No 

Not Applicable

4. Will there be any toxic or hazardous waste, or asbestos associated with this project?
 Yes (explain)

No 

Not Applicable

5. Will the project impact any archeological sites, buildings or structures older than 50 years, or
any properties listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places?
 Yes (explain)

No 

Not Applicable

6. Will this project result in any other adverse environmental impacts which could affect
endangered or threatened species, scenic rivers, or other sensitive ecological habitats?
 Yes (explain)

No 

Not Applicable

7. Has an environmental impact statement or other similar analysis been completed for this
proposed project or for other activities in the region?
 Yes (explain)

No 

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Not Applicable

PART II - REGIONAL ELIGIBILITY
Public Works and Economic Development and Economic Adjustment Assistance projects must
satisfy regional eligibility requirements (see 13 C.F.R. § 301.3). The below questions will assist
EDA in determining whether the proposed project satisfies these requirements.
Please answer all questions completely and accurately and attach explanations and supporting
documentation where applicable.
1. General: Identify the region in which the project is located (attach additional sheets as
necessary):
2. Economic Distress Levels: Check all that apply below in establishing regional eligibility (see
13 C.F.R. § 301.3(a)(1):
Unemployment: The project is located in a region which has an unemployment rate that
is, for the most recent 24-month period for which data are available, at least one (1) percent
greater than the national average unemployment rate.
A.

B.
Per capita income: The project is located in a region which has a per capita income that
is, for the most recent period for which data are available, eighty (80) percent or less of the
national average per capita income.

C.
Special need: The project is located in a region which has experienced or is about to
experience a "Special Need" (as defined in 13 C.F.R. § 300.3) arising from actual or threatened
severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems resulting from severe short-term or
long-term changes in economic conditions, including:
 Substantial out-migration or population loss;
 Underemployment; that is, employment of workers at less than full-time or at less skilled
tasks than their training or abilities permit;
 Military base closure or realignment, defense contractor reductions-in-force, or U.S.
Department of Energy defense-related funding reductions;
 Natural or other major disasters or emergencies;
 Extraordinary depletion of natural resources;
 Closing or restructuring of an industrial firm or loss or other major employer;
 Negative effects of changing trade patterns; or
 Other circumstances set forth in an FFO (describe need).
3. Substantial Direct Benefit: A project located within an Economic Development District, which
is located in a region that is not subject to the economic distress levels set forth in question 2
above, is also eligible for EDA investment assistance if EDA determines that the project will be
of "substantial direct benefit" to a geographical area within the Economic Development District
that is subject to the economic distress levels set forth in question 2. above. For this purpose, a
project provides a "substantial direct benefit" if it provides significant employment opportunities
for unemployed, underemployed, or low-income residents of the geographical area within the
Economic Development District. If applicable, identify the Economic Development District in
which the proposed project will be located and explain how the proposed project will provide a
substantial direct benefit to a geographical area within the Economic Development District that
is subject to the economic distress levels set forth in question 2. above.
See 13 C.F.R. § 301.3(a)(2).
 Yes (explain)

 Not applicable
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4. The project region is other than one defined by political boundaries: A project located in a
geographical area of poverty or high unemployment that is subject to the economic distress
levels set forth in question 2. above, but which is located in a region that overall is not subject to
the economic distress levels set forth in question 2. above, is eligible for investment assistance
without regard to political or other subdivisions or boundaries. If applicable, provide a
description of the project region and documentation to show that the: (a) region is of sufficient
size appropriate for the proposed project, and (b) project boundaries for regional eligibility are
consistent with the anticipated project benefits to the region. See 13 C.F.R. § 301.3(a)(3).
 Yes (explain)

 Not applicable

5. Source of data provided for regional eligibility determination: Check the source of data
used by the proponent to determine regional eligibility and provide an explanation and copy of
such data. The explanation must: (i) identify the data used (e.g., American Community Survey
(ACS)); (ii) if the data used is other than the ACS, explain why ACS was not used; and (iii) if the
data used is other than federal data, explain why federal data was not used and identify the
source of the non-federal data. The source of the data must satisfy the requirements of
13 C.F.R. § 301.3(a)(4).
 The most recent American Community Survey (ACS) data published by the U.S. Census
Bureau.
The most recent other federal data for the region in which the project is located (e.g., U.S.
Census Bureau and the Bureaus of Economic Analysis, Labor Statistics, Indian Affairs).
 Data available through the State government for the region in which the project is located.
 Other data to substantiate regional eligibility based on a Special Need.

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PART III - MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE EDA INVESTMENT RATES
EDA investment assistance may not exceed fifty (50) percent of total eligible project costs, except as
determined by EDA in accordance with 13 C.F.R. § 301.4. If your proposal requests EDA investment
assistance that exceeds fifty (50) percent of total eligible project costs as shown in the pre-application
or application budget, then you may be asked to provide additional information concerning the relative
economic development needs of the region, in accordance with EDA's regulations. Follow the
instructions below as they apply to your particular project (see the table of maximum allowable
investment rates on the following page).
A. For Public Works and Economic Development Investments (CFDA No. 11.300) and for
Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments (CFDA No. 11.307), see 13 C.F.R. § 301.4 for
maximum allowable investment rates. Enter below the provision and maximum allowable
investment rate that apply to the proposed project.
The proposed project meets the criteria set forth in 13 C.F.R. § 301.4(b) subsection
maximum allowable investment rate of
percent.

for a

Additional information to justify a maximum allowable investment rate greater than fifty (50)
percent is attached (if applicable) as Exhibit III.A.
Additional information to justify EDA investment assistance as supplemental assistance to another
designated federal assistance program grant award is attached (if applicable). See 13 C.F.R. §
301.6.

B. For Planning Investments (CFDA No. 11.302), National, Local and University Center Technical
Assistance Investments (CFDA No. 11.303), and for Research and Evaluation Investments
(CFDA No. 11.312), attach as Exhibit III.A a narrative to justify EDA investment assistance that
exceeds fifty (50) percent of total eligible project costs. See 13 C.F.R. § 301.4(b)(3) for planning
investments and 13 C.F.R. § 301.4(b)(4) for technical assistance and research and evaluation
investments.

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PART III (Continued) TABLE OF MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE INVESTMENT RATES
Type of Project

Maximum Allowable
Investment Rate
(Percentage)

Projects of Indian Tribes.

100

Projects under 13 C.F.R. part 307 located in Presidentially-Declared Disaster
areas for which EDA receives an application for investment assistance for
post-disaster economic recovery efforts pursuant to a supplemental
appropriation within eighteen (18) months of the date of such declaration.

100

Projects of States or political subdivisions of States that the Assistant
Secretary determines have exhausted their effective taxing and borrowing
capacity, or Projects of non-profit organizations that the Assistant Secretary
determines have exhausted their effective borrowing capacity.

100

Projects under 13 C.F.R. parts 305 or 307 that receive performance awards
pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 308.2.

100

Projects located in an Economic Development District that receive planning
performance awards pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 308.3.

100

Projects located in regions in which:

80

The twenty-four (24) month unemployment rate is at least 225% of the national
average; or
The per capita income is not more than 50% of the national average.
Projects located in regions in which:

70

The twenty-four (24) month unemployment rate is at least 200% of the national
average; or
The per capita income is not more than 60% of the national average.
Projects located in regions in which:

60

The twenty-four (24) month unemployment rate is at least 175% of the national
average; or
The per capita income is not more than 65% of the national average.
Projects located in regions in which:

50

The twenty-four (24) month unemployment rate is at least 1% greater than the
national average; or
The per capita income is not more than 80% of the national average.

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