Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Recreation Economy for Rural Communities
On this page:
- Are grant funds strictly for planning purposes, or can brick and mortar projects be considered as well?
- Must partner communities be small towns or located in the Northern Border region?
- What should I do if I have difficulty completing the online application form?
- Should I combine my letters of support into one document?
- Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
- What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long will the planning assistance last?
- Is there a cost to the communities selected for the planning assistance?
- Can an organization apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
- Are U.S. territories eligible to apply?
- Who provides the planning assistance?
- How many communities will be selected for this round?
- Can a local college, public university, or extension agency be a lead organization?
1. Are grant funds strictly for planning purposes, or can brick and mortar projects be considered as well?
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities is not a grant program. Communities selected to receive assistance through this program will not receive funds from EPA. Partner communities will receive help from a planning team to consider challenges and opportunities, convene a community workshop, and develop an action plan for community revitalization through the recreation economy. We encourage participation from federal and state agencies and other potential partners in the planning assistance process so that communities can learn about how they might secure additional resources to help them accomplish their vision, but those funds are not guaranteed. The assistance is strictly for planning and cannot be used for brick and mortar projects.
2. Must partner communities be small towns or located in the Northern Border region?
Communities located anywhere in the United States are eligible for this planning assistance. Smaller communities, rural communities, communities in the Northern Border region, communities facing economic challenges, and communities with substantial minority populations will receive special consideration during the selection process.
3. What should I do if I have difficulty completing the online application form?
Instructions for completing the online application form will be posted when a new call for applications is released. At that time, this FAQ will be updated with a response to this question.
4. Should I combine my letters of support into one document?
Letters of support should be submitted as a single combined file and attached in the online application form.
5. Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
Regional organizations are eligible to apply. However, the application should request assistance for a single neighborhood, town, or community and identify a strong local partner. Multi-county or state-level projects are not appropriate for this type of assistance.
6. What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long will the planning assistance last?
Community workshops for the current round of assistance will likely occur during 2022 and 2023. The timing will depend on the community’s preference, in consultation with the planning assistance team. Three planning calls generally begin seven to 10 weeks before the community workshop, and three follow-up calls generally are completed eight to 12 weeks after the workshop.
7. Is there a cost to the communities selected for the planning assistance?
Most communities incur little to no cost aside from staff and volunteer time devoted to planning and participating in the workshop. The program does not provide any funds directly to communities. The community is responsible for securing a venue for the workshop, although most communities are able to identify a no-cost venue. In addition, the planning assistance award does not include funds for refreshments at the workshop; any refreshments are provided at the community’s discretion and cost.
8. Can an organization apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
Yes, applicants can submit multiple, separate applications for consideration. However, no more than one application from a single neighborhood or town will be selected for assistance.
9. Are U.S. territories eligible to apply?
Yes, U.S. territories are eligible for this assistance.
10. Who provides the planning assistance?
The planning assistance team will be selected by EPA and will include federal staff and contractors hired by EPA through a competitive solicitation.
11. How many communities will be selected for this round?
We selected 25 partner communities in 2022.
12. Can a local college, public university, or extension agency be a lead organization?
Yes. Applicants need to show how they will be able to bring together community stakeholders, including residents, for a community workshop.