State launches third regional funding round

Empire State Development officials said up to $760 million is available this year for economic development projects across New York in the third round of the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process started by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Channeled through the 10 regional economic development councils created by Cuomo in 2011, project grant applications will be accepted from businesses, municipalities, not-for-profits and the public. The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on Aug. 12.

The CFA is available at https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/.

The consolidated application streamlines and speeds up state agencies”™ reviews of projects and eliminates the slow navigation through multiple agencies and funding sources that applicants previously faced in Albany.

Thirteen state agencies will award funds through 29 programs in the third round of applications. Program funding is outlined in the 2013 Available CFA Resources Manual. The 2013 REDC Guidebook lists the competitive guidelines for this year. Both guides are available at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

State officials will hold public workshops in each region to explain the programs, eligibility standards and recent improvements to the CFA application process. The full schedule of workshops is available at the state regional councils’ website.