The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) offers grants to small Missouri communities to improve local facilities, address critical health and safety concerns, and develop a greater capacity for growth. Projects range from housing and street repairs to industrial loans and job training.
CDBG is a “pass through” funding program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The State CDBG funds are only available to non-entitlement areas (incorporated municipalities under 50,000 and counties under 200,000 in population).
Depending on the funding category, applications are either accepted on a continuous cycle throughout the year or have a specific deadline. The following chart shows deadlines for the various funding categories; more information from the DED can be found by clicking the name of each category.
| CDBG Funding Category | Application Deadline |
| Action Fund Loan | open cycle |
| Community Facility | April 1 |
| Downtown Revitalization | open cycle |
| Industrial Infrastructure Grant | open cycle |
| Interim Financing Loan | open cycle |
| Microenterprise | open cycle |
| Other Public Needs | May 1 |
| Rural Affordable Housing | August 15 |
| Speculative Industrial Building Loan | open cycle |
| Water and Wastewater | open cycle |
This program of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) provides financial incentives for the redevelopment of commercial/industrial sites contaminated with hazardous substances and abandoned or underutilized for at least three years.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
DED may issue tax credits for up to 100% of the cost of remediating the project property. The tax credit may also include up to 100% percent of the costs of demolition not directly part of the remediation activities, if certain requirements are met.
The amount of remediation tax credits issued must be the least amount necessary to cause the project to occur. The total tax credits must be less than the projected state economic impact of the project, as determined by DED.
This tax increment financing (TIF) program of the DED helps facilitate the redevelopment of downtown areas and the creation of jobs by providing essential public infrastructure.
Municipality must have a population of 200,000 inhabitants or less, and median household income of sixty-two thousand dollars or less. The redevelopment areas must be classified as “blighted” or a “conservation area,” must not exceed 10% of the entire geographic area of the municipality, and must be located in a “central business district.” At least 50% of the buildings in the central business district must be 35 years old or older. Other restrictions apply.
DED Downtown Preservation Program
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This DED program provides tax credits to new or expanding businesses in Missouri Enhanced Enterprise Zones. Enhanced Enterprise Zones are specified geographic areas designated by local governments and certified by the DED. Zone designation is based on certain demographic criteria, the potential to create sustainable jobs in a targeted industry and a demonstrated impact on local industry cluster development.
The program offers state tax credits, accompanied by local real property tax abatement, for up to five tax years after the project commences operations.
DED must offer the program benefits to the business in the form of a formal proposal. If interested, contact: Joel McNutt, joel.mcnutt@ded.mo.gov, (573) 522-6704, or Jessica Eads, Jessica.Eads@ded.mo.gov, (573) 751-4982 to discuss your particular situation.
DED Enhanced Enterprise Zone
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The DED’s Certified Sites Program is not a grant program. The purpose of the program is to certify potential commercial or industrial development sites based on a review of the availability of utilities, site access, environmental concerns, land use conformance, and potential site development costs. Certification provides a standardized tool by which development professionals and business prospects can review prospective sites for compatibility with their development needs. Having a site “certified” reduces the risk associated with development by providing up front and consistent information.