New Disaster Recovery Funding Available for Neighborhood Revitalization Projects

March 6, 2023

V.I. Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) Interim Executive Director Dayna Clendinen announces the official launch of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the issuance of a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for eligible community-based projects.

Within the NOFA:

  • The Building Façade and Streetscape Enhancement Program makes available up to $7.6 million for forgivable loans to targeted projects located in traditional business districts or within a commercial neighborhood, retail, or mixed-use zones affected by the September 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
  • The Small Business Entrepreneurship Grant and Technical Assistance Program, offers up to $5.1 million in grants for small businesses and microenterprises that suffered physical and/or financial losses due to the 2017 Hurricanes. The technical assistance offered through the program is designed to support entrepreneurs by providing specialized training to eligible businesses to build economic resilience and reduce future losses from disruptions.

“Direct investments in our community stimulate tourism, job creation, greater shared knowledge about our past, and strengthens regional identity and local pride,” IED Clendinen shared. “We are thrilled to be able to offer, through this meaningful program, the funding to facilitate new improvements and opportunities in a way that make a lasting impact on the quality of life of or residents.”

The Neighborhood Revitalization Program will be administered by the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Economic Revitalization Program (CDBG-DR). Upcoming public hearings will be held for the community to find out more on eligibility, criteria, and the application process. Dates, times, and virtual log-in information is as follows:

Thursday, March 9 | 3-4PM:

Registration Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtcOqqrTkiG9cv9dxrs6Pysa2Oct–dR81

Meeting ID: 870 7323 2813 Passcode: 986429

Thursday, March 16 | 5:30-6:30PM:

Registration Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrf-CgqTsjGNQ5zxtJKXofnRqgtrmKg0mx

Meeting ID: 836 8987 0920 Passcode: 155673

For NOFA requirements and policy information, click here https://cdbgdr.vihfa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Neighborhood-Revitalization-NOFA.pdf. Applications can be found on the VIHFA website at DR-Scope-and-Eligibility-App_v3.4-Fillable-1.pdf (vihfa.gov). All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by Monday, May 8, 2023. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Applicants can submit their applications using the following methods:

  • Electronic Application – Applicants must follow instructions provided within this document and submit their application package to ERNR@vihfa.gov.
  • Electronic applications are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Hard copies will be accepted from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the following locations:

  • St. Thomas: 3202 Demarara Plaza, Suite 200 (Frenchtown VIHFA Office).
  • St. Croix: 100 Lagoon Complex, Suite 4 (Old Legislature Building)

For more information, contact Donnie E. Dorsett, Economic Revitalization Senior Program Manager at (340)777-7734 ext. 4228 or email ERNR@vihfa.gov

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