South Dakota: Community Development Block Grants: Urgent Need (SD)

The South Dakota Community Development Block Grants for Urgent Need provide essential funding for local governments to address pressing community issues. This rolling application program, managed by the Governor's Office of Economic Development, focuses on enhancing infrastructure and services that benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Eligible projects aim to improve public health and safety, while fostering economic opportunities through job creation. Applications are continually accepted until funds are fully allocated or the year ends.

NOTE: Urgent Need applications are accepted on a rolling basis as necessary until funds are fully obligated, or until December 31 each year.
Background
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, administered on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), helps develop viable communities by providing funds for a wide range of community needs, including water and wastewater infrastructure, community centers, medical centers, workforce training, senior centers; and for industrial infrastructure that will assist businesses creating new job opportunities for low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals.
Local governments interested in funding through this program should work with their local planning district to discuss potential projects and submit an application.
Account Allocation
South Dakota’s annual allocation of CDBG funds is separated into three separate accounts.
The Community Projects account: is available for a range of community development needs, and typical projects include water and wastewater infrastructure, community centers, workforce training, medical centers, and senior centers. GOED has allotted up to 15% of its annual CDBG allocation for eligible job training activities and will accept applications on an ongoing basis. Training should predominantly benefit LMI persons and assist individuals in gaining full-time employment in South Dakota.The Special Projects account: helps communities provide the industrial infrastructure they need to assist businesses in creating new jobs for low- and moderate-income individuals.The Urgent Needs account: helps communities address urgent, recent issues that pose risks to the health and safety of its residents.
Objectives
Eligible projects must meet at least one of the State’s program objectives:
Promote more rational land useProvide increased economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income personsCorrect deficiencies in public facilities that affect the public health, safety or welfare, especially of low- and moderate-income persons
Criteria
Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:
Impact of Project: In assessing impact, the application will be rated high, medium, or low against the following five factors. To be funded, the application must receive a combination of three or more medium or high ratings. The Governor has final approval and may revise the recommendations of the CDBG staff.Scoring Factors:LMI Benefit: The number of LMI (low-to-moderate income) people to benefit from the project will be considered. Projects that propose an LMI benefit greater than 61% will receive a high rating, 56% - 60% will receive a medium rating, and less than 55% a low rating.Percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole number.Local Effort: The amount of funds raised or contributed to the total project cost will be considered. A project proposing to provide a local match of 31% or greater will receive a high rating, 16% - 30% a medium rating, and 0% - 15% a low rating.Nature of Project/Need: Each project is rated according to the impact it will have on the needs of the persons identified. This factor intends to select those projects which will have the most significant impact. Consideration will be given to the results achieved concerning the amount of funds requested.Additional Actions to Fully Resolve Need: Each project is rated according to additional actions required to fully resolve the identified need. High ratings will be awarded for  fewer additional actions needed to fully resolve the need.Maximizing Local Resources: A High rating will also be given to applicants who have maximized local resources.