Grow NORCO Grant

The Grow NORCO Grant is an initiative spearheaded by the Northampton County Department of Community & Economic Development (NCDCED) to bolster economic development and improve the quality of life throughout Northampton County, Pennsylvania. This locally administered grant program is part of the county’s strategic vision to support municipalities and nonprofit organizations with flexible capital to execute a variety of projects. The Grow NORCO program is structured to prioritize limited county resources toward impactful community and economic development interventions. It is a competitive program that evolves with community needs and therefore has shifting funding priorities from round to round. The Grow NORCO Grant supports five broad project categories: Capital Improvement Projects, Quality of Life Projects, Façade Program Projects, Operations Projects, and Community Planning Projects. Capital Improvement Projects may involve infrastructure upgrades or new development initiatives like public infrastructure, community facilities, or sidewalk replacement. Quality of Life projects may focus on public art installations, streetscape amenities, or park improvements. The Façade Program is designed to foster private investment in properties and includes funding for storefront signage, exterior paint, and design assistance, capped at $10,000 per property with a maximum of $50,000 per administering applicant. Operational grants target staffing and marketing functions for new community and economic development efforts. Lastly, Community Planning Projects support studies, plans, and efforts to secure state or federal designation programs or develop comprehensive planning documents like zoning updates or downtown circulation analyses. Applicants must either be a federally registered nonprofit (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)) serving Northampton County or a municipal entity located within the county. All applicants are encouraged to build partnerships with local government to develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Multi-municipal collaborations are favored. Funded projects must take place within the 2027 calendar year and cannot commence prior to the grant agreement’s start date. The grant supports one application per entity, with a maximum request amount of $50,000. Projects are required to demonstrate a match of one dollar for every two dollars granted (1:2 ratio), where up to 50% of the match may be documented in-kind contributions. The application process is conducted online through the Neighborly platform. The 2026 application window opens on April 20 and closes at 4:00 p.m. on May 29. Required submission materials include a detailed project narrative, a comprehensive budget with documentation of all cost estimates, proof of matching funds, and organizational documents such as a 501(c) letter, W-9, and audited or year-end financial statements. Construction and renovation projects must provide a current permit and zoning status along with any existing vendor contracts. Applications missing required documentation will be deemed ineligible. Submissions will be evaluated on a competitive basis using four criteria: demonstrated project need and approach, strength of the proposed budget and matching funds leveraged, feasibility of the project timeline and organizational capacity, and the presence of collaborative partnerships. Awards will be announced in December 2026, and all project activities must be completed by the end of the 2027 calendar year. Award funds are disbursed on a reimbursement or cost-incurred basis, and supporting documentation such as invoices, receipts, and contracts is mandatory for fund release. Grantees must also submit semi-annual performance and close-out reports through the Neighborly system. All inquiries should be directed to Sarah Ortiz, Community & Economic Development Specialist, at 610-829-6308 or [email protected]. This grant program is recurring and expected to continue in future years. Projects funded under this grant are subject to onsite monitoring, potential audits, and strict adherence to procurement and nondiscrimination guidelines. Interested applicants are urged to read all guidelines carefully, maintain accurate project records, and prepare competitive proposals that reflect innovation, collaboration, and measurable outcomes.

Applications with matching funds above the minimum and projects with multi-municipal partnerships will be more competitive.