JACKSON – The Jackson County Economic Development Board (JCEDB) announced that up to $200,000 in competitive grant funds are available through the Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation (SOACDF) for projects in SOACDF’s nine county service region. The mission of the grant is for SOACDF to sponsor strategic investments in communities that have been adversely affected by the reduction in the demand for tobacco.
Private sector business/industry with job creation/retention projects, political subdivisions and public nonprofits may apply. Colleges and universities may apply for projects that are private sector driven.
The criteria for grant availability are extensive, but the main points are:
• Funds may be used for capital improvements, fixed assets or land acquisition where the end purpose is for manufacturing, logistics/distribution, warehousing, agribusiness/food processing or healthcare.
• There must be a job creation/retention component. Job creation is defined as a year round fulltime job working a minimum of 32 hours per week.
• An applicant can request up to $10,000 per each fulltime job created.
• SOACDF will fund a maximum of 35% of the total project costs.
• Any applicant that cannot demonstrate a minimum of 50% of total funds committed or in place at the time of application is ineligible for consideration.
• Priority will be given to agribusiness/agri-industry related projects.
• All projects will be scored by a point system and must meet a certain score in order to be eligible for funding consideration.
Several project types are ineligible including retail point of sale (except for agribusiness), lodging, restaurants, daycare centers, vehicles requiring a license, personal care businesses, computer/internet services and others as defined by SOACDF. SOACDF funds may not be used for operating expenses, working capital, or debt reduction. Funds may not be used to reimburse for costs incurred in projects prior to grant approval and execution. Additional criteria may apply.
JCEDB serves as a liaison to SOACDF in assisting new and existing businesses for the betterment of Jackson County’s economy.
Application assistance, guidelines and timelines may be obtained by contacting JCEDB Executive Director Jennifer Jacobs at (740)286-2838. Further details and the application can be found at www.soacdf.net. All completed applications must be submitted to JCEDB prior to 3/16/2016, and all applications must be reviewed by the local county review committee to be considered for funding.
From The Jackson County Times Journal | January 18, 2016
