2014
COMMUNITY
SERVICES DIVISION
PROGRAMS
BROCHURE
www.mississippi.org/csd
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
Small Municipal and Limited Population County Grant (SMLPC)
Development Infrastructure Grant Program (DIP)
Rural Impact Fund Program (RIF)
Local Governments Capital Improvements Revolving Loan (CAP)
Freight Rail Service Grant Program (RAIL)
Freight Rail Service Loan Program (RAIL)
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HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS GRANT PROGRAM (HOME)
The Mississippi Development Authority’s Community Services Division (CSD) administers the
HOME program, which provides funds for the development of multi-family rental housing,
substantial rehabilitation of multi-family rental, development of single-family housing, homebuyer
assistance and rehabilitation/reconstruction of owner occupied single family housing. The
HOME Program targets very- low and low income households. Under the HOME Program, the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates funds by formula among
eligible state and local governments to strengthen public-private partnerships to provide more
affordable housing.
The HOME Program identifies the following three purposes:
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Expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing
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Strengthen the abilities of states and units of general local government to design
and implement strategies for achieving an adequate supply of affordable housing
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Provide participating jurisdictions, on a coordinated basis, with the various forms
of federal housing assistance
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
The Homebuyer Assistance category, MDA allocates Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC)
funds to provide grants for eligible households to purchase existing homes or construct single
family dwellings. This program will be made available through Participating Lenders approved
by MHC under the HOME Loan Plus Program.
The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at the University of Southern Mississippi provides
homebuyer assistance funds to eligible households to purchase existing homes or construct
single-family dwellings.
The Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) category provides grants that
may be made to CHDOs to construct new multi-family rental units, substantially rehabilitate
multi-family rental units and develop single-family housing as well as provide a minimum
amount of down payment assistance.
The Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction category provides grants made to units of local
government through a competitive process to assist eligible homeowners by providing safe,
decent, sanitary housing by reconstructing substandard housing which had evidence of poor
electrical system, poor roofing, poor foundation, poor heating/cooling system and inadequate
plumbing.
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Dana Jones: 601.359.3018
Wendy Crawford: 601.359.2054
Jackie Cobbins: 601.359.5195
Lillie Naylor: 601.359.9318
Fax: 601.359.3108
community@mississippi.org
www.mississippi.org/csd
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2014
THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS (ESG) PROGRAM
The Mississippi Development Authority’s Community Services Division (CSD) administers the
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program authorized by subtitle B of title VI of the McKinneyVento Homeless Assistance Act as amended by the HEARTH Act (42 U.S.C. 11371-11378).
Under the Emergency Solutions Grants Program, the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) allocates funds by formula grant among eligible states and local units of
government. ESG funds are distributed statewide to eligible local units of government and
private non-profit organizations that operate existing homeless shelters for operations and
maintenance and provide homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing direct client services.
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
ESG funds may be used for: emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing
assistance, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and consultation with
Continuum of Care (CoCs).
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Local units of government and private non-profit organizations that operate existing homeless
shelters are eligible to submit applications in the ESG program. Private non-profit agencies
applying for ESG funds to carry out homeless assistance must obtain certification that the
project is approved by the local unit of government, per Section 421 of the McKinney Act as
amended. The City of Jackson, being an entitlement city, receives a direct allocation of ESG
funds from HUD; therefore, the City of Jackson will not be eligible for funding by the Community
Services Division.
MATCH REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must provide matching funds. Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 576.201 and 42 U.S.C.
11375 the ESG Program requires that ESG funds provided by HUD be matched with an equal
amount of funds from other sources. The match amount may include the amount of funds from
other sources, the value or fair rental value of any donated material or building (this source can
only be utilized as match one time), the value of any lease on a building, any salary paid to staff
to carry out the program of the recipient, and the value of the time and services (at a rate of
$7.25 per hour) contributed by volunteers to carry out the program of the recipient.
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Gloria Adams, Ph.D.: 601.359.3046
Gail Johnson: 601.359.9337
Faye McCall: 601.359.3057
Fax 601.359.3108
community@mississippi.org
www.mississippi.org/csd
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) helps communities realize their
potential by providing funds necessary to ensure basic community services, environmental
quality and economic opportunities for their residents. The State CDBG Program makes funds
available to incorporated municipalities and county governments that show a genuine need for
specific projects and can meet the program's state and federal eligibility requirements. In
accordance with the Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, project activities must
meet at least one of the following national objectives:
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Benefit low- and moderate-income persons;
Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight;
Meet urgent needs because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to
the health or welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available to
meet such needs.
A local unit of government may apply for CDBG funds in the Public Facilities and Economic
Development categories.
The Public Facilities category provides funding for public improvements such as water,
wastewater, drainage, streets, ADA, and certain public buildings.
The Economic Development category provides funding for eligible infrastructure improvements
in the support of business start-ups and expansions. Job creation is the key to CDBG-assisted
economic development. Economic Development Public Improvements category provides grants
to local governments on behalf of businesses for the provision of needs such as water, sewer,
building rehabilitation, drainage, rail spurs, and access roads.
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Tracey Giles: 601.359.6676
Brenda Lacy: 601.359.2498
Sara Doss: 601.359.1220
Fax: 601.359.3108
community@mississippi.org
www.mississippi.org/csd
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2014
SMALL MUNICIPAL AND LIMITED POPULATION COUNTY GRANT
PROGRAM (SMLPC)
The Mississippi Small Municipal and Limited Population County Grant Program (SMLPC),
administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is designed for making grants to
small municipalities and limited population counties or natural gas districts to finance projects to
promote economic growth in the State.
ELIGIBILITY
Small Municipality – a municipality with a population of 10,000 or less, according to the most
recent federal decennial census, at the time the application is submitted by the municipality.
Limited Population County - a county with a population of 30,000 or less, according to the
most recent federal decennial census, at the time the application is submitted by the county.
Natural Gas Districts – districts created by law and meeting the same requirements as small
municipalities.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Eligible projects financed with these funds must be publicly owned. Some eligible projects
include:
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Drainage systems
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Water and sewer systems; gas supply systems
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Transportation facilities directly affecting the site, including roads, bridges, rail lines or
pipelines
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Marine structures
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Land purchases and improvements
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Airfield and Airport improvements
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Buildings(construction/rehabilitation/expansion/purchase)
Eligible projects shall have a direct connection to economic development or aid in the creation
of jobs.
*Please note MDA reserves the right to restrict which projects are eligible for any given year
based on fund allocations.
AMOUNT:
Maximum Grant amount: $150,000
FUNDING:
Funding is derived from the issuance of state general obligation bonds.
To apply for this program, the eligible entity should contact MDA for additional information.
Statute: Section 57-1-18, Ms Code 1972, Annotated
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Tracey Giles: 601.359.6676
Taunya Smith: 601.359.9376
Patricia Turner: 601.359.9316
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2014
DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM (DIP)
The Development Infrastructure Grant Program (DIP) is a grant program that is available to fund
publicly owned infrastructure. Funding from this program can be used by municipalities and
counties to assist with the location or expansion of businesses. Usage of the funds must be
directly related to the construction, renovation, or expansion of industry.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
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Drainage improvements
Water and sewer improvements
Transportation facilities directly affecting the site, including roads, bridges, rail lines or
pipelines
Buildings (construction/rehabilitation/expansion/purchase)
Land improvements
Marine Structures
Energy facilities (power generation and distribution)
Any other project approved by the Mississippi Development Authority
Job creation is the goal of the Development Infrastructure Grant Program. All projects funded
should create a minimum of ten (10) net new full-time jobs. Municipalities and counties must
apply on behalf of a new or expanded industry based on the public infrastructure needs of the
project. Typical industries that are eligible under this program include:
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Manufacturers
Warehouses and distribution centers
Research and development facilities
Telecommunications and data processing facilities
National or regional headquarters
AMOUNT:
Maximum GRANT amount: $15,000 per job or a maximum of $500,000,
whichever is less.
FUNDING:
Funding is derived from the issuance of state general obligation bonds.
To apply for this program, the eligible entity should contact MDA for additional information.
Statute: Section 57-61-36, Ms Code 1972, Annotated
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Tracey Giles: 601.359.6676
Sara Doss 601.359.1220
Taunya Smith: 601.359.9376
Fax 601.359.3108
community@mississippi.org
www.mississippi.org/csd
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2014
RURAL IMPACT FUND PROGRAM (RIF)
The Mississippi Rural Impact Fund Program (RIF), administered by the Mississippi
Development Authority (MDA) is designed to assist and promote businesses and economic
development in rural areas by providing loans and grants to rural communities (Local Entities)
and loan guarantees to rural businesses (Businesses).
ELIGIBILITY
Rural Community – a municipality with a population of 10,000 or less, according to the most
recent federal decennial census, at the time the application is submitted by the municipality; or,
a county with a population of 30,000 or less, according to the most recent federal decennial
census, at the time the application is submitted by the county.
Rural Business – means a new or existing business located or to be located in a rural
community; or, a business or industry located or to be located within five miles of a rural
community.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Eligible projects financed with RIF must be publicly owned with the exception of loan guarantees
to rural businesses. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
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Drainage improvements
Water and sewer improvements
Transportation facilities directly affecting the site, including roads, bridges, rail lines or
pipelines
Buildings (construction/rehabilitation/expansion/purchase)
Land improvements
Marine Structures
Any other project approved by MDA
Eligible projects must have a direct connection in creating jobs. All projects funded should
create a minimum of ten (10) net new full-time jobs. The program intent is to stimulate job
creation and economic development in rural communities in the State.
AMOUNT:
FUNDING:
Maximum LOAN guarantee:$200,000 on 80% loan guarantees
Maximum GRANT amount:$15,000 per job or $500,000; whichever is less
Funding is derived from the issuance of state general obligation bonds.
To apply for this program, the eligible entity should contact MDA for additional information.
Statute: Section 57-85-1, Ms Code 1972, Annotated
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Tracey Giles: 601.359.6676
Sara Doss: 601.359.1220
Taunya Smith: 601.359.9376
www.mississippi.org/csd
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2014
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING
LOAN PROGRAM (CAP)
The Local Governments Capital Improvements Revolving Loan Program is designed for making
loans to counties or municipalities to finance capital improvements in Mississippi. Counties and
municipalities are encouraged to use these loans in connection with state and federal programs.
ELIGIBILITY
Counties or Municipalities are eligible to apply for this program.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
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Construction or repair of water and sewer facilities;
Construction or repair of drainage systems for industrial development;
Improvements in fire protection;
Construction of new buildings for economic development;
Renovation or repair of existing buildings for economic development purposes;
Purchase of buildings for economic development purposes;
Construction or repair of access roads for industrial development;
Purchase of buildings for economic development purposes;
Construction or repair of railroad spurs for industrial development;
Construction of any county or municipally-owned health care facilities, excluding any
county health departments;
Construction, purchase, renovation or repair of any building to be utilized as an
auditorium or convention center;
Construction of multipurpose facilities for tourism development;
Loans to a county to aid in retiring interest-bearing loans utilized for the purchase of a
motion picture sound stage;
Construction, repair and renovation of parks, swimming pools and recreational and
athletic facilities;
Remediation of brown-field agreement sites in accordance with Sections 49-35-1
through 47-35-25; or
TERMS:
Maximum term: 20 years
AMOUNT:
MAXIMUM loan amount: $1,000,000 per local entity per calendar year.
Loans for the construction, repair and renovation of parks, swimming pools and
recreational and athletic facilities for remediation of brown-field agreement sites
shall not exceed $250,000 per project.
RATE:
Tax-exempt Rate: 2% per Annum / Taxable Rate: 3% per Annum
FUNDING:
Funding is derived from the issuance of state general obligation bonds.
Statute: Section 57-1-301, Ms Code 1972, Annotated
For more information contact:
Tracey Giles: 601.359.6676
Sara Doss: 601.359.1220
Mike Chadwick: 601.359.6677
www.mississippi.org/csd
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2014
FREIGHT RAIL SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM (RAIL)
The local governments Freight Rail Service Grant Program, administered by MDA, is designed
for the purpose of making grants to counties so that the governing authorities of such may utilize
these grants to assist counties in defraying expenses relating to the upgrading of railroad
services to promote industrial development and public safety. Only projects approved by the
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) shall be eligible for RAIL grants. The project
approval process will be initiated by MDOT via a third party agreement.
Counties are encouraged to use these grants in connection with other state and federal
programs.
ELIGIBILITY
Incorporated counties with projects approved by MDOT are eligible to apply for the grant
program.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Counties may receive grants for Freight Rail Service projects relating to the upgrading of rail
grade crossings. Only projects approved by MDOT will be eligible for RAIL grants. The project
approval process will be initiated by MDOT via a three-party agreement.
AMOUNT:
Maximum GRANT amount: $250,000 per project.
FUNDING:
Funding is derived from the issuance of state general obligation bonds.
To apply for this program, the eligible entity should contact MDA for additional program
information.
Statute: Section 57-44-1, Ms Code 1972, Annotated
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Tracey Giles: 601.359.6676
Mike Chadwick: 601.359.6677
Fax: 601.359.3108
community@mississippi.org
www.mississippi.org/csd
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FREIGHT RAIL SERVICE LOAN PROGRAM (RAIL)
The Mississippi Freight Rail Service Projects Revolving Loan Program (RAIL), administered by
the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), is designed for making loans to municipalities
and/or counties (the “Applicant”) to finance freight rail service projects in the State of
Mississippi. Counties and municipalities are encouraged to use these funds in connection with
other state and federal programs.
ELIGIBILITY
The governing authority of a municipality or county is eligible to apply for this program.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
A project, which involves the acquisition, construction, installation, operation, modification,
renovation or rehabilitation of any freight rail service facilities, is eligible for this program.
A project, which may include any fixtures, machinery or equipment, used in conjunction with any
freight rail service facilities.
Any project for any freight transportation purposes.
Construction costs (including reasonable and customary site work for buildings, right of ways,
easements, etc.)
Up to 8% of the principal loan amount for design work i.e. engineer or architect. Engineering
and/or architectural costs above 8% will be paid from other funding sources.
TERMS:
Maximum term: 15 years or estimated life of project, whichever is less.
AMOUNT:
Cumulative maximum loan amount: $1,000,000 per project per calendar year.
RATE:
Interest rate shall be 1% below the Federal Reserve Discount Rate at the time of
loan approval.
FUNDING:
Funding is derived from the issuance of state general obligation bonds.
To apply for this program, the eligible entity should contact MDA for additional program
information.
Statute: Section 57-44-1 et seq. Ms Code 1972, Annotated
For more information contact:
Community Services Division
Tracey Giles: 601.359.6676
Sara Doss: 601.359.1220
Mike Chadwick: 601.359.6677
community@mississippi.org
www.mississippi.org/csd
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