Request for Applications (RFA) for

Department of Housing and Community Development

Empowerment Zone Initiative Grant Funds For FY 2009

The Miami-Dade County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is announcing the availability of applications for Empowerment Zone (EZ) grant funds.  Through this RFA, HCD is seeking proposals from qualified existing businesses and community based entities intending to provide economic development and wealth creation opportunities within the Miami-Dade County EZ neighborhoods. Applications addressing EZ priorities will be given preference for funding consideration. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the necessary experience and capacity to carry out the activities for which the funding is sought.  Municipalities, 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporations, for profit corporations, community based organizations, or other entities registered with the State of Florida are eligible to apply.

The following types of activities will be considered:

• Economic Development/Wealth Creation: Activity that seeks to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for the EZ community, by creating and/or retaining jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base.
• Commercial Corridor Façade Improvements: Eligible activities may involve the major maintenance, repair, general rehabilitation, restoration of commercial storefronts and upper story facades, removal and replacement of commercial signs and awnings, commercial corridor medians and landscaping.              
• Workforce Development: Projects linked directly to employment and job creation.                    

The RFA package contains the guidelines and instructions for the preparation of funding requests.  Technical assistance workshops will be held by EZ staff on the following dates:

March 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (local time)

PhicholWilliams Community Center, 951 SW 4^th Avenue, Homestead, FL

and

March 31, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon(local time)

OvertownTransit Village North, 701 NW 1^st Court, 14^th Floor, Miami, FL

HCD/EZ CONTACT FOR THIS SOLICITATION:

Name and Title: Lori Weldon, Program Manager

Address: 701 NW 1^st Court, 14^th Floor, Miami, Florida 33136

Telephone:  (786) 469-2262

E-mail: loriw@miamidade.gov

PROPOSALS ARE DUE AT THE CLERK OF THE BOARD

NO LATER THAN:

April 24, 2009 at 2:00 PM (local time)

at

CLERK OF THE BOARD

Stephen P. Clark Center

111 NW 1^st Street, 17^th Floor, Suite 202

Miami, Florida 33128-1983

Applications may be picked up from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM beginning March 23, 2009 at:

• Department of Housing and Community Development, 701 NW 1^st Court, 14^th Floor, Miami, FL
• City of Homestead, City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 790 N Homestead Blvd., Homestead FL.
• City of Florida City, City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 404 West Palm Drive, Florida City, FL.

All proposals received and time stamped by the Clerk of the Board prior to the proposal submittal deadline shall be accepted as timely submitted.  The circumstances surrounding all proposals received and time stamped by the Clerk of the Board after the proposal submittal deadline will be evaluated by HCD in consultation with the County Attorney’s Office to determine whether the proposal will be accepted as timely. The responsibility for submitting a proposal on or before the stated time and date is solely and strictly the responsibility of the Proposer.  The County will in no way be responsible for delays caused by mail delivery or caused by any other occurrence.  All expenses involved with the preparation and submission of proposals to the County, or any work performed in connection therewith, shall be borne by the Proposer(s). Requests for additional information or inquiries must be made in writing and received by the County’s contact person for this Solicitation.  The County will issue responses to inquiries and any changes to this Solicitation in written addenda issued prior to the Proposal Due Date.  Proposers who obtain copies of this Solicitation from sources other than the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development, its website at www.miamidade.gov/ced, or the locations listed risk the possibility of not receiving addenda and are solely responsible for those risks.

EZ Initiative Grant RFA Fiscal Year 2009 Part I  

EZ Initiative Grant RFA Fiscal Year 2009 Part II   (~2.7 MB)

EZ Initiative Grant RFA Fiscal Year 2009 Addendum No. 1

EZ Initiative Grant RFA Fiscal Year 2009 Addendum No. 2

EZ Initiative Grant RFA Fiscal Year 2009 Addendum No. 3

Proposer Information file in Word Format

 

Call 786-469-2262 for additional information about the Empowerment Zone (EZ) Initiative Grant Program.