The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants or provide cooperative agreements to provide technical and financial assistance for economic development activities designed to address the economic needs of low-income individuals and families by creating employment and business ownership opportunities. In the August 8 FEDERAL REGISTER, HHS' Office of Community Services announces that competing applications will be accepted for the award of cooperative agreements. OCS proposes to provide funds in Fiscal Year 2002 "to provide administration and management expertise (Priority Area 1) through a Community Development Corporation (CDC) with nationwide experience to share its experience in dealing with day-to-day project related issues and challenges in promoting community economic development. The organization must have documented experience on a nationwide basis. OCS also proposes to provide funds to a private, non-profit organization with nationwide experience for the purpose of providing training and technical assistance (Priority Area 2) to strengthen the network of CDCs." An eligible applicant must be a private, non-profit organization. The organization must have significant and relevant experience working with community development corporations, foundations, financial institutions and other community-based organizations. Faith-based organizations are also eligible to apply for grants and cooperative agreements. The deadline for applications is September 9, 2002.

For the full text of the Federal Register notice, go to: http://www.icesa.org/sections/pdf/2002/fr/fr8802.pdf/