Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs (PWEAA)

The Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs (PWEAA) for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024, administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), aim to support long-term economic development efforts in distressed communities and regions. This funding opportunity, which became effective on March 15, 2023, and was updated on October 1, 2024, assists in the development and implementation of non-construction and construction projects that align with EDA’s investment priorities, including equity, workforce development, and climate change resiliency. Projects funded under this opportunity will help communities strengthen their economic resilience and foster sustainable economic growth through infrastructure development and economic adjustment initiatives. The program comprises two primary funding streams: Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA). The Public Works program focuses on infrastructure and facilities development in economically distressed communities, supporting projects such as land acquisition, facility construction, water and sewer systems, industrial parks, business incubators, brownfield site redevelopment, and broadband infrastructure. The EAA program provides investments for construction and non-construction activities aimed at addressing sudden or chronic economic challenges, including workforce training, disaster recovery, and the development of regional economic recovery strategies. Specific support is also provided to regions impacted by transitions away from coal, nuclear, and biomass power. Eligible applicants include district organizations, Indian Tribes or consortia of Indian Tribes, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, and public or private non-profit organizations in collaboration with political subdivisions. The program does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applicants must meet EDA distress criteria based on unemployment rates, per capita income, or specific economic hardships and must align with regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) or equivalent EDA-accepted economic development strategies. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) platform (https://www.eda.gov/edge), with no fixed deadlines, until all funds are expended or a new NOFO is published. The application package must include forms such as SF-424, ED-900, CD-511, and budget narratives. Additionally, projects involving construction, design, or engineering require supplementary documentation, including environmental narratives and certification clauses. Workforce development projects must include evidence of sectoral partnerships and demonstrate alignment with Department of Commerce workforce principles and the Good Jobs Principles. For FY 2024, the funding availability includes $100 million for Public Works, $33 million for EAA, $75 million for Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC), $4.5 million for Biomass Closure Communities (BCC), and $5 million for Assistance to Indigenous Communities (AIC). Award sizes range from $150,000 to $5 million depending on project scope, with cost-share requirements ranging from 50% to 80% based on regional distress levels. Specific contacts for further inquiries and application support are listed under section G of the NOFO and include regional EDA representatives and program-specific email addresses. To apply, self-Register for an EDGE Portal Account at: https://sfgrants.eda.gov

How To Use the EDGE Portal Self-Register for an EDGE Portal Account at: https://sfgrants.eda.gov Select Login Select 'I Accept' to accept the System Use Agreement Select 'Not a Member?' and follow the prompts Submit grant applications in the EDGE Portal for PWEAA Construction, Non-Construction, Research and National Technical Assistance, Short-term Planning and Local Technical Assistance Locate the desired Funding Opportunity and select 'Apply Now’ and fill-out / upload the details Follow the prompts to respond to Curing Requests when necessary Note: During this time, continue to use Grants.gov/GOL to apply for Partnership Planning grants Attend EDGE Portal Training Events Virtual and live trainings will be scheduled and registration information distributed Access our EDGE Portal Knowledge Base Select the Resources Tab to access our full suite of Training Tutorial Videos and Quick Reference Guides available on-demand 24x7