FY 2021 American Rescue Plan Act Build Back Better Regional Challenge
Agency: Department of Commerce
- 11.307 -- Economic Adjustment Assistance
Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026
View version history on Grants.gov
Description
Through this American Rescue Plan Act Build Back Better Regional Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity (ARPA BBBRC NOFO), EDA aims to assist communities and regions impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has caused, and continues to cause, economic injury to U.S. communities and regions in devastating and unprecedented ways. This ARPA BBBRC NOFO is designed as a two-phase competition to (1) help regions develop transformational economic development strategies and (2) fund the implementation of those strategies that will create and grow regional growth clusters. Such efforts will help regional economies recover from the pandemic and build economic diversity and resiliency to mitigate impacts of future economic disasters.
In Phase 1, EDA will provide technical assistance grants to approximately 50-60 coalitions (through a lead institution). These coalitions will be considered “finalists” and the grants will be used by the finalists to prepare more detailed applications for transformational projects that benefit their respective geographic regions and are aligned around a holistic approach to building and scaling a strategic industry.
In Phase 2, EDA will award each of the 20-30 finalist coalitions $25-75 million (and potentially up to $100 million) to fund the collection of projects they identified. The projects will be funded through grants to coalition members.
This particular Funding Opportunity is for Phase 1 Concept Proposals ONLY.
Funding Amount Information
EDA anticipates up to $30,000,000 in total being awarded in Phase 1, in technical assistance grants of up to $500,000 each. In Phase 2, EDA anticipates funding regional growth clusters with component projects that collectively cost between approximately $25,000,000 and $75,000,000, though EDA will consider regional growth clusters above and below these amounts depending on the strength of the Proposal and quality of the individual component projects. EDA anticipates that the cost of individual non-construction and construction component projects within regional growth clusters will range from approximately $750,000 to $25,000,000, or more if the cluster or project warrants it.
Read the attached full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information and for instructions on how to apply.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Government
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Special district governments
- County governments
- State governments
Miscellaneous
- Other
Education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Additional information
Grantor contact information
Description
Buildbackbetter@eda.gov
Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| ARPA_BBBRC_NOFO.pdf | ARPA BBBRC NOFO - Final | Jul 22, 2021 09:12 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
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Archived: November 14, 2021
Award
$30,000,000
Program Funding
55
Expected awards
$200,000
Award Minimum
$500,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
EDA-HDQ-ARPBBB-2021-2006976
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
Funding instrument type:
Grant
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Economic Development
History
Version:
4
Posted date:
July 22, 2021
Archive date:
November 14, 2021
