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Community Action Team: Funding for Impact Projects

Just as the Governor’s Action Team (GAT) works to address the needs of businesses that want to locate in Pennsylvania, the Community Action Team (CAT) creates priority “impact” projects within a community. The team assists with all stages of a project and acts as single point of contact, enhancing communication between agencies and departments so that attention and resources are focused on the most deserving projects.

What makes a project an “impact” project? It depends on the community. A small project in a rural area may have tremendous impact on that community, while the same project would have minimal impact in a larger city. The CAT definition of “impact” is “a community-changing revitalization project that includes multiple components, and uses a variety of local, state, federal and private investment sources.”

New Process, More Progress

Moving away from the old model of applying for funding – piecemeal, through a myriad of state programs – CAT funding is sought through a single point of contact. The process could begin with an inquiry through one of the DCED regional offices, or a direct request to the Community Action Team, or a program application to another state agency. However the process begins, CAT assists every step of the way: from developing a plan, to identifying public and private resources on the local, state and federal level, and finally, implementation.

Each project has a primary point of contact, known as a Strategic Investment Officer (SIO). The SIO is assigned to work with the community to assess their plans, determine impact and readiness, identify project needs, and develop timelines. These goals are accomplished through meetings with all community stakeholders, including elected officials, private investors, community groups, civic groups and individuals that have a role in the community’s revitalization.

Once the “impact” project has been identified and information gathered, the SIO reviews options for funding. All non-state sources, private and public, are outlined, with state funds being the last dollars put into a project. CAT works with other DCED departments, as well as other agencies, to determine eligibility of each component and what assistance programs are available to reach the community’s goals.

Keys to Success

While it is up to CAT to provide a customized package of funding, the ultimate outcome of a project depends on the individual community and its ability to understand and develop certain keys to success. These include:
Planning: Appropriate time and effort must go into the planning process to ensure project success.

Collaboration: The Community Action Team encourages working with as many local stakeholders as possible to not only get as much input as possible, but to ensure that everyone is committed and involved in the project once it is established.

Creativity: No two communities are alike, and therefore no two communities will have the same solutions. CAT encourages the exploration of all ideas, including the use of tax credits, creating a funding package through the Governor’s Action Team, or inter-municipal cooperation.