Congratulations to all of the 2021 grantees!
| RECIPIENT | STATE | AWARD |
|---|---|---|
| Coalition for Responsible Community Development | CA | $800,000 |
| Partnership for Environmental Progress | CA | $800,000 |
| The East Los Angeles Community Union | CA | $800,000 |
| Greater Dwight Development Corporation | CT | $600,000 |
| Latino Economic Development Corporation of Washington, DC | DC | $800,000 |
| Englewood Community Development Corporation | IN | $450,000 |
| Workforce, Inc. | IN | $800,000 |
| Kentucky Highlands Community Development Corporation | KY | $800,000 |
| Gulf Coast Housing Partnership, Inc. | LA | $800,000 |
| Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc. | MD | $800,000 |
| Coastal Enterprises, Inc. | ME | $800,000 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries | MI | $525,000 |
| Northern Great Lakes Initiatives | MI | $800,000 |
| East Missouri Action Agency, Inc. | MO | $325,000 |
| Montana Community Development Corporation | MT | $800,000 |
| Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc. | PA | $800,000 |
| Metanoia | SC | $800,000 |
| People Incorporated of Virginia | VA | $760,361 |
| Northwest Side Community Development Corporation | WI | $800,000 |
| Coalfield Development Corporation | WV | $800,000 |
ACF press release:
HHS’ Administration for Children and Families Highlights Community Economic Development Month by Awarding More Than $14 Million in New Grants to Create Jobs in Low-Income Communities
.October 5, 2021
HHS’ Office of Community Services (OCS) kicked off Community Economic Development Month by announcing more than $14.6 million in new grant awards to support 20 Community Economic Development (CED) projects. These new grants will create more than 600 new jobs in low-income communities to help improve the livelihoods of workers and the communities in which they are located. In support of OCS’s mission to address the causes and consequences of poverty, increase opportunity and economic security of individuals and families, and revitalize communities, 75 percent of the jobs created under each grant will be reserved for an individual with low income, and each grant recipient will also provide support services to address barriers that low-income individuals may face in obtaining and maintaining employment.
“Applicants requesting CED funds were evaluated based on the extent to which the new positions to be created will allow individuals with low incomes to achieve self-sufficiency through competitive wages, paid leave, fringe benefits, opportunities for career growth, and/or predictable and flexible scheduling practices,” said Dr. Lanikque Howard, Director of ACF’s Office of Community Services. “The CED program is focused on not just creating jobs, but developing long-term employment opportunities that lift low-income individuals out of poverty, by ensuring they have access to jobs that pay a living wage and offer opportunities for growth.”
Of the 20 projects funded, five projects will serve coal, oil and gas, and/or power plant communities, building on President Biden’s Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.” These projects, totaling $3.9 million, will support social and economic recovery in communities that have experienced employment loss and/or economic dislocation events as a result of declines in the fossil fuel industry.
The CED program is one of seven programs within OCS focused on reducing poverty, and it is the only federal program that focuses primarily on creating jobs for individuals with low income in communities with high unemployment and poverty rates. Each year, CED discretionary grants are awarded to nonprofit community development corporations in disinvested communities. The objective of the program is to support businesses that develop new products, services, and commercial activities that result in new positions for individuals with low income. In addition to creating these new jobs, all funded grantees are also required to provide critical wraparound support services, such as financial literacy assistance, childcare services, transportation, substance use disorder treatment and English language education, to remove barriers to employment and allow individuals to maintain long-term employment and achieve self-sufficiency.
This year, CED grants will also support the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities by facilitating economic recovery in energy communities in accordance with Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and creating and expanding business(es) in the healthcare and health supply industries in accordance with Executive Order 14001: Pandemic Supply Chain Resilience Strategy (PDF) Visit disclaimer page .
This cohort of recipients is diverse in mission, business type, and geographic location. Recipients are disbursed throughout the country, and are undertaking a wide range of activities in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, food, health care, and more.
All CED projects address key priorities of this Administration in building strong and resilient communities. Ten projects are also aligned with specific Administration initiatives, including:
- Five of the ten projects will serve coal, oil, and gas, and/or power plant communities and help to spur economic development and job creation efforts in these communities (EO 14008).
- Three of the ten projects will support businesses in the health care industry, including manufacturing health supplies, such as personal protective equipment, to build the nation’s capacity to respond to current and future pandemics and biological threats.
- Seven of the ten projects will create jobs in counties with persistent poverty.