Program Questions:
HCR - Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Microenterprise Assistance (Open Round)

Q_9431

Is the applicant an eligible New York State non-entitlement municipality?

Q_3388

Is the applicant applying to establish a local Microenterprise Grant Program?

Q_3423

Will the proposed program assist not-for-profit entities?

Q_3326

Will the CDBG funds be used toward eligible project costs?

Q_3941

Will the proposed program only support microenterprise projects that will either create jobs for low- to moderate-income (LMI) persons or assist a business owner who is LMI?

Q_3320

Does the proposed activity include assistance to a for-profit business in the form of lobbying or other political activities?

Lobbying and political activities are not eligible under Section 105(a)(17) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

Q_3321

Does the proposed activity include planning for economic development projects, including conducting market surveys to determine an appropriate type of business to attempt to attract to a particular area, developing individual commercial or industrial project plans, and identifying actions to implement those plans?

The above activities are not eligible under Section 105(a)(17) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

Q_3416

Will an entrepreneurial training program for microenterprise grantees be developed by the applicant or chosen from existing training programs prior to finalization of this application?

Q_6406

Will the program delivery, administration, and training costs combined equal 15% or less of the total CDBG request? Refer to the Scoring Tips section for additional guidance.

Q_3325

Will any of the costs identified in the application budget be incurred prior to award?

Q_13171

Will the proposed project be complete within 24 months from project award?

Q_972

Project county or counties.

Q_184

NYS Assembly District where the project is located. (This question's value will be filled automatically, based on the project address, when the application is finalized.)

Q_190

NY Senate District where the project is located. (This question's value will be filled automatically, based on the project address, when the application is finalized.)

Q_3527

US Congressional District where the project is located. (This question's value will be filled automatically, based on the project address, when the application is finalized.)
  • 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27

Q_928

Project Street Address: Please input the project street address (Street Number and Street Name only).

If the project has multiple locations, please input the primary street address of the project. If the project does not have a definite street address, please input the approximate street address of the project (Street Number and Street Name only).

Q_565

Project City

Q_568

Project State
  • AA,AL,AK,AZ,AR,CA,CO,CT,DE,FL,GA,HI,ID,IL,IN,IA,KS,KY,LA,ME,MD,MA,MI,MN,MS,MO,MT,NE,NV,NH,NJ,NM,NY,NC,ND,OH,OK,OR,PA,RI,SC,SD,TN,TX,UT,VT,VA,WA,WV,WI,WY,AS,DC,FM,GU,MH,MP,PW,PR,VI

Q_1034

Project ZIP Code. (please use ZIP+4 if known)

Q_616

For more than one project location, please provide full address(es) for each location. If Not Applicable, indicate "NA".

Q_572

Project Latitude (This question's value will be filled automatically, based on the project address, when the application is finalized.)

Q_573

Project Longitude (This question's value will be filled automatically, based on the project address, when the application is finalized.)

Q_549

Type of Applicant (select all that apply)
  • Federal, State, County, City, Town, Village, Tribal, School District, County or Town Improvement District, District Corporation, For-Profit, Not-For-Profit, Individual, S Corporation, C Corporation, IDA, LDC,LLC,LLP, Public Authority, Public Benefit Corp, Sole-Proprietorship,BID, LP,Boards Of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), Fire District, Regional Planning and Development Board, Public Library, Association Library,College/University/Community College

Q_12603

Is the applicant a DBA?
    1. If Yes is selected then Q_550 will be displayed

Q_550

What is the applicant's DBA name?

Q_556

Select an applicant ID type from the list below that you normally use to identify your organization on application forms.
  • Charity Reg #, Duns Number, Federal Tax ID Number, NYS Unemployment Insurance Tax Number,NYS Vendor Identification Number (SFS),Employee Identification Number (EIN),Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

Q_2655

Based on your selection from the previous question, enter the assocaited ID number.

Q_969

If you are a business, have you been certified as a New York State Minority or Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE)?
  • Yes, No, N/A

Q_546

Organization Legal Name

Q_5416

Applicant First Name

Q_5417

Applicant Last Name

Q_551

Applicant Street Address

Q_552

Applicant City

Q_553

Applicant State

Q_554

Applicant ZIP Code. (please use ZIP+4 if known)

Q_651

Applicant Telephone Number (please include area code)

Q_555

Applicant Email Address

Q_5257

Contact Salutation
  • Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.

Q_547

Contact First Name

Q_1049

Contact Last Name

Q_1050

Contact Title

Q_5490

Primary Organization

Q_3688

Contact Street Address

Q_3689

Contact City

Q_3690

Contact State

Q_3691

Contact ZIP Code (please use ZIP+4 if known)

Q_562

Primary Contact Phone Number. (please include area code)

Q_3692

Contact Email

Q_5475

Contract Salutation
  • Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.

Q_5476

Contract First

Q_5477

Contract Last

Q_5478

Contract Title

Q_5491

Authorized Organization

Q_5479

Contract Street

Q_5480

Contract City

Q_5481

Contract State

Q_5482

Contract Zip (please use ZIP+4 if known)

Q_5483

Contract Phone (please include area code)

Q_5484

Contract Email

Q_5493

Additional Salutation
  • Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.

Q_1052

Additional Project Contact First Name

Q_970

Additional Project Contact Last Name

Q_1051

Additional Contact Title

Q_5492

Additional Organization

Q_3693

Additional Contact Street Address

Q_3694

Additional Contact City

Q_3695

Additional Contact State

Q_3696

Additional Contact ZIP (please use ZIP+4 if known)

Q_3697

Additional Contact Telephone Number (please include area code)

Q_561

Additional Contact Email Address

Q_4199

Please select the primary sector or characterization that best defines this project.
  • Agriculture, Arts/Culture/Cultural Institutions, Biomedical/Medical, Community Development, Education/College/University, Energy, Environment, Financial Services, Food/Beverage, Healthcare, Historic Preservation, Hospitality, Housing, Industrial/Manufacturing, Information Technology Services/Communications, Infrastructure, Municipal/Government, Office, Recreation,Research & Development, Tourism/Travel, Transportation, Water/Wastewater/Sewer, Waterfront Revitalization, Workforce Development,Business Development,Technology Commercialization

Q_4198

Please select the secondary sector or characterization that best defines this project.
  • Agriculture, Arts/Culture/Cultural Institutions, Biomedical/Medical, Community Development, Education/College/University, Energy, Environment, Financial Services, Food/Beverage, Healthcare, Historic Preservation, Hospitality, Housing, Industrial/Manufacturing, Information Technology Services/Communications, Infrastructure, Municipal/Government, Office, Research & Development, Tourism/Travel, Transportation, Water/Wastewater/Sewer, Waterfront Revitalization, Workforce Development,Business Development,Technology Commercialization

Q_575

Project Description. Concisely describe the project, indicating the location, what will be planned, designed, acquired, and/or constructed, the issues/opportunities to be addressed, and expected outcomes and deliverables. Additional details will be collected later in the application process.

Q_976

Statement of need: Provide a brief summary of the need for the project in the geographic area proposed and the project's financing needs, including funding gaps of the proposed project.

Q_12626

Does the project align with the Regional Economic Development Council's Strategic Plan?
    1. If Yes is selected then Q_12627 will be displayed

Q_12627

Explain how the project aligns with the Regional Economic Development Council's Strategic Plan.

Q_929

Current State of Project Development (i.e. planning, preliminary engineering, final design, etc. You may enter N/A for non-project related applications)

Q_975

Estimated Project Timeline: include project start/completion dates, estimates for design, permitting and construction or other major steps.

Q_580

Provide a list of all federal, state, and local reviews, approvals, or permits needed or completed, including the dates when they are expected to be completed or were completed. If Not Applicable, indicate "NA".

Q_12606

Does this project require State and/or Federal Environmental Review?
    1. If Yes is selected then these questions will be displayed:
      - Q_2364
      - Q_12607

Q_2364

What is the status of State and/or Federal Environmental Review?

Q_12607

Please indicate the lead agency (if applicable).

Q_12604

Has a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Record of Decision been issued?
    1. If Yes is selected then Q_1054 will be displayed

Q_1054

Please explain decision and include date of Record of Decision.

Q_12625

Has the applicant or project been awarded funding in prior CFA rounds?
    1. If Yes is selected then Q_2362 will be displayed

Q_2362

What were the CFA numbers for which funding was awarded? (separate multiple CFA numbers with commas)

Q_4160

For each program to which you are applying under the CFA, explain your strategy for proceeding if the full amount of requested funding, required matching funds, and temporary financing are not secured as expected, or committed sources become unavailable.This explanation must address any proposed project phases, and both CFA and non-CFA sources of funds.

Q_13140

Pre-Submission Form Certification

Q_13141

Preliminary Budget Table

Q_13199

Microenterprise Job Creation/Retention Table

Q_13150

Citizen Participation Compliance Materials - Note that If any of the required documents are not submitted with the application, they cannot be submitted after the application period closes, and the application will be deemed ineligible. Refer to the "scoring tips" section for additional guidance. Materials must include the following: • Evidence of conspicuous public posting (see scoring tips) • Public hearing notice • Affidavit of publication of public hearing notice (see scoring tips) • Public hearing minutes/evidence of a full quorum

Q_13158

Written documentation of support for the project

Q_13146

Applicant Certification Form

Q_13176

Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Form

Q_13148

Program Income Report Form

Q_13177

Project Team

Q_13152

Civil Rights - Documentation of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing compliance. Refer to the application tips for additional information.

Q_13153

Civil Rights - Documentation of Section 3 compliance. Refer to the scoring tips for additional information

Q_13154

Commitment letter(s) from all other funding sources, including proposed terms. This documentation must evidence the availability of all funds including owner equity.

Q_13155

Documentation of unsuccessful attempts at pursuing non-CDBG funding sources

Refer to the Scoring Tips for additional guidance.

Q_13184

Program Design Plan.

Q_13179

Entrepreneurial training program syllabus.

Q_13181

Draft program application and any other applicable forms that are to be completed by each microenterprise program applicant.

Q_13178

Draft Grant Agreement Between Recipient and Business(es).

Q_13182

List of grant committee members and experience (Grant committee is a panel chosen by the applicant to review grant applications and to make recommendations and/or approval of grant awards)

Q_13183

Documentation for all third party costs (Applicants proposing Microenterprise Programs that include soft costs such as classroom instruction, technical assistance to businesses, marketing, etc. must provide supporting cost documentation).

Q_13163

If the applicant has already entered into an agreement with a qualified Not-for-Profit subrecipient, please attach a Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire (VRQ)

Q_13167

If the project includes the expansion of municipal infrastructure, attach the Smart Growth Compliance Form.

Q_3945

ContactNamePreparer

Q_3962

ContactNameSubrecipient

Q_3949

TitlePreparer

Q_3950

TitleSubrecipient

Q_3947

OrganizationPreparer

Q_3948

OrganizationSubrecipient

Q_3951

AddressPreparer

Q_3952

AddressSubrecipient

Q_3953

ZipCodePreparer

Q_3954

ZipCodeSubrecipient

Q_3955

TelephonePreparer

Q_3956

TelephoneSubrecipient

Q_3957

EmailPreparer

Q_3958

EmailSubrecipient

Q_3154

HTFCFirst

Q_3155

HTFCLast

Q_3156

HTFCTitle

Q_3157

HTFCAddress1

Q_3158

HTFCAddress2

Q_3159

HTFCCity

Q_3160

HTFCZip

Q_3161

HTFCPhone

Q_3162

HTFCEmail

Q_3905

StartGA

Q_3906

EndGA

Q_3907

StartERR

Q_3908

EndERR

Q_3909

StartActivities

Q_3910

EndActivities

Q_3911

StartReimbursements

Q_3912

EndReimbursement

Q_3913

StartJopReporting

Q_3914

EndJobReporting

Q_3915

EndCompletion

Q_13195

Please provide the Federal Tax ID and the DUNS number and/or the Unique Entity ID for the Unit of Government serving as the Applicant.

Q_13186

Provide a project abstract. The abstract must include formal applicant name, location of project, amount of request, business to be assisted, jobs to be created and general purpose of project. Sample text: [City, Town, Village, County Name] will use $200,000 in NYS CDBG funds to assist in the establishment of [Program Name]. The total program cost will be $225,000 with $25,000 from owner equity. The program proposes to assist 10 microenterprises, of which 5 will be owned by LMI owners. Additionally, the program proposes to create 5 full-time LMI jobs.

Q_13122

Provide a brief description of the community’s economic development needs including a discussion of economic trends and the community’s plan to address the needs identified.

Refer to the Help section for a detailed list of information required to answer the question completely.

Q_13185

Provide a detailed explanation of the project need and impact.

The description should be specific and provide sufficient detail concerning:

  • the nature, scope, location, and purpose of activities that will be addressed by the proposed project and coordination of related activities;
  • any past efforts to resolve the needs identified;
  • any limitations on funding or other resources to address the need identified;
  • why the proposed project is the best approach to addressing the need identified; and
  • quantifiable information, such as how CDBG funding will be provided to the beneficiary (loan, grant, terms, etc.); impact on residents, suppliers or end users, etc.

Q_13124

Please identify and explain any components of the proposed project that have been started as of the submission of this application, as well as any subsequent activities that are part of the total project. Indicate the actual or anticipated start and end dates for all of the activities.

Please note: If any project costs, regardless of their funding source, are incurred prior to the CDBG award date and the approval of the Request for Release of Funds by the Office of Community Renewal, the entire project may be deemed ineligible for NYS CDBG funds.

Q_13127

Describe efforts to secure alternative or additional funds from all appropriate public or private sources available to assist in financing the proposed activity. In detail, explain the impact of the NYS CDBG funds on the total cost of the project and the beneficiaries (e.g. lack of other sources of funding). List the sources of cost estimates (where appropriate, project costs should be as recent as possible and documented by a qualified third party). If the project is subject to review or provided funds by other agencies, organizations, or authorities, what is the status of any on-going consultations?

Q_13187

Explain the proposed NYS CDBG program budget. Identify each of the estimated costs, including the source of the funds and proposed use: purchase of furniture and fixtures, machinery and equipment, working capital, etc. For each source identified, indicate whether the source is formally committed or pending approval. Please be specific, and list each source in a consistent format.

This explanation of your program budget must be consistent with the budget table included as an attachment to this application. If a source is identified as committed, the applicable commitment letter must be attached where requested in the application.

Q_13188

Provide a detailed description of the program delivery and administration tasks required to undertake this project including who will undertake these tasks, the costs associated with the tasks, and how the costs were determined. Provide the actual amount of program delivery and administrative funds allocated to the project from the State CDBG funds requested.

Q_13189

How will the proposed project comply with the NYS CDBG Microenterprise Program Guidelines? Address each guideline specific to the activity being proposed individually in your response.

Q_13190

How will the Microenterprise Program meet the requirement that at least 50% of the total CDBG award (less grant administration costs) must fund start-up businesses? A start-up business is defined as a business that has been in operation for less than 6 months prior to submitting their application to the NYS CDBG Microenterprise Program.

Q_13191

Describe how the applicant will evaluate potential microenterprise projects according to the required underwriting guidelines for evaluating project costs and financial requirements.

Address each of the underwriting guidelines below in your response:

  1. That project costs are reasonable;
  2. That all sources of project financing are committed;
  3. That to the extent practicable, CDBG funds will not be substituted for non-federal financial support;
  4. That the project is financially feasible;
  5. That to the extent practicable, the return on the owner's equity investment will not be unreasonably high; and
  6. That to the extent practicable, CDBG funds will be disbursed on a pro rata basis with the other financing.

Please be specific as to what information and/or documentation will be required from microenterprise applicants and what types of analysis will be performed.

Q_13193

What is the estimated number of jobs that the proposed Microenterprise Program will create? Please note job retention is not eligible under the NYS CDBG Microenterprise Program.

Q_13194

Describe how the applicant and business will comply with the job reporting requirements contained in the NYS OCR Grant Administration Manual.

Q_13157

I certify that I understand that, once awarded, all persons applying for a job, not just those categorized as LMI, are required to fill out a Family Income Form and that these forms should be maintained within the files. The Family Income Form is available in the link below.

Q_13196

I certify that I understand all communities are required to establish scoring criteria for the selection of Microenterprise applicants. The scoring criteria serves as an evaluation system for selecting the most qualified and capable applicants.

Q_13168

I understand that NYS Homes and Community Renewal may require additional project information or modifications to the original project proposal as a condition of award.

Q_13169

By entering your name in the box below, you certify and agree that you are authorized on behalf of the applicant and its governing body to commit the applicant to comply with the requirements of Article 15-A of the New York State Executive Law: Participation By Minority Group Members and Women With Respect To State Contracts by providing opportunities for Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE)/Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) participation. You further certify that the applicant will maintain such records and take such actions necessary to demonstrate such compliance throughout the completion of the project.

Q_13170

By entering your name in the box below, you certify that you are authorized on behalf of the applicant and its governing body to submit this application. You further certify that all of the information contained in this Application and in all statements, data and supporting documents which have been made or furnished for the purpose of receiving Assistance for the project described in this application, are true, correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. You acknowledge that offering a written instrument knowing that the written instrument contains a false statement or false information, with the intent to defraud the State or any political subdivision, public authority or public benefit corporation of the State, with the knowledge or belief that it will be filed with or recorded by the State or any political subdivision, public authority or public benefit corporation of the State, constitutes a crime under New York State Law.