Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Local Foods, Local Places
- Are grant funds strictly for planning purposes, or can brick and mortar projects be considered as well?
- Must projects be located on tribal land, the federally designated Appalachia region, or the federally designated Delta region to be eligible for LFLP funding?
- Should I combine my application into a single file with the letters of interest?
- What should I do if I am unable to save the information I enter into the fillable form?
- Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
- Is a neighborhood within a city eligible for the assistance?
- What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long is the technical assistance expected to last?
- Our city received LFLP assistance in 2016. Can we apply for another neighborhood this year?
- Are there specific outcomes or reporting that are expected as part of this program?
- If an applicant has recently been awarded another federal grant, would that disqualify the applicant for this assistance?
- Is there a cost to the communities selected for technical assistance?
- Can an entity apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
- Can applicants also apply to other EPA technical assistance programs?
More questions and answers will be posted on this page throughout the application period (Oct. 5 through Nov. 6, 2016).
1. Are grant funds strictly for planning purposes, or can brick and mortar projects be considered as well?
Local Foods, Local Places is not a grant program. Communities will not receive funds directly from EPA. Selected communities will receive access to technical experts who will work with them to hold a two-day convening that brings together stakeholders in the community to create an action plan for creating more vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods by promoting local foods. We encourage participation from federal and state agencies and other potential funding partners in the workshops, so that communities can learn about how they might apply for additional resources to help them accomplish their vision, but those funds are not guaranteed.
Local Foods, Local Places assistance is strictly for planning purposes and cannot be used for brick and mortar projects.
2. Must projects be located on tribal land, the federally designated Appalachia region, or the federally designated Delta region to be eligible for LFLP funding?
No. Projects located anywhere in the United States are eligible for this assistance. Projects on tribal land or in designated colonias, Appalachia, or the Delta will receive special consideration during the selection process.
3. Should I combine my application into a single file with the letters of interest?
No. The application and letters of interest must be submitted as two separate files. The application must be submitted in the original (not scanned) format. Multiple letters of interest should be combined into a single file.
4. What should I do if I am unable to save the information I enter into the fillable form?
You must use the latest version of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software Exit to save the fillable form.
5. Does the applicant have to be a single community, or could a region apply for the planning assistance?
Regional organizations are eligible to apply. However, the application should request assistance for a single neighborhood, town, or city and identify a strong local partner. Countywide projects will be considered only if they are aimed at improving main streets and mixed-use neighborhoods. Multi-county or state-level projects are not eligible for this assistance.
6. Is a neighborhood within a city eligible for the assistance?
Yes, communities of any size are eligible. Larger cities in particular often choose to focus on a specific neighborhood's retail corridor or central business district.
7. What is the anticipated start date of assistance, if received? How long is the technical assistance expected to last?
Workshops will likely occur from April to early October 2017. The exact timing will depend on the community’s preference and availability and the facilitators’ schedules. Three planning calls generally begin seven to 10 weeks before the workshop, and three followup calls generally are completed eight to 12 weeks after the workshop.
8. Our city received LFLP assistance in 2016. Can we apply for another neighborhood this year?
Any community in the United States is eligible to apply even if the community has received assistance in the past. If applicable, the application should explain how additional assistance will build on the prior work.
9. Are there specific outcomes or reporting that are expected as part of this program?
There are no formal reporting or other requirements after the technical assistance process is completed. However, we like to remain in contact with our technical assistance recipients, and we hope communities will let us know as they implement parts of their action plans.
10. If an applicant has recently been awarded another federal grant, would that disqualify the applicant for this assistance?
No. If applicable, the application should explain how this assistance would complement the work to be completed with the help of other federal funding.
11. Is there a cost to the communities selected for technical assistance?
Most communities incur little to no cost aside from staff time devoted to planning and participating in the workshop. The program does not provide any funds directly to communities. The community is responsible for securing a venue for the workshop, although most communities are able to identify a no-cost venue. In addition, the technical assistance award does not include funds for refreshments at the workshop, so any refreshments are provided at the community’s discretion and cost.
12. Can an entity apply for more than one neighborhood or town in the region as long as they are separate applications?
Yes, applicants can submit multiple, separate applications for consideration. However, no more than one application from a single neighborhood or town will be selected for assistance.