Coordinated Federal Resources for BRAC Communities under the
President’s Economic Adjustment Committee and
Defense Economic Adjustment Program
The following presents
some
of the Federal resources available to assist communities in alleviating the socioeconomic effects that may result from military base closures and realignments. Under Executive Order 12788, as amended, assistance for BRAC-impacted communities is coordinated across the Federal Government through the President’s Economic Adjustment Committee (EAC). The Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) staffs the EAC and its Director is the EAC’s Executive Director. Communities are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the following resources, including accessing program information through the provided internet links. OEA staff is available at (703) 604-6020 to address any questions you may have concerning the EAC, Federal assistance available to affected communities, or specific local needs that may exist. This listing will continually be updated and available at
www.oea.gov
.
Department of Defense
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The Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA)
(
http://www.oea.gov
)
OEA is the Department of Defense's primary source for assisting communities that are adversely impacted by Defense program changes, including base closures or realignments, base expansions, and contract or program cancellations. To assist affected communities, OEA manages and directs the Defense Economic Adjustment Program, and coordinates the involvement of other Federal Agencies.
Economic adjustment assistance provides a community-based context for assessing economic hardships caused by DoD program changes by identifying and evaluating alternative courses of action, identifying resource requirements, and assisting in the preparation of an adjustment strategy or action plan to help communities help themselves.
OEA staff has a range of experience in economic and community development, land use planning, real estate redevelopment, Federal real property programs, military programs, and worker adjustment. Project managers also bring a working knowledge of other Federal agencies and their respective programs to help communities put together an adjustment program combining Federal, State, local and private resources.
Communities that are on the Secretary of Defense’s BRAC 05 recommendations and desire additional resource information can visit
http://www.oea.gov/oeaweb.nsf/BRAC?readform
or call OEA at (703)-604-6020.
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Civilian Personnel Management Services (CPMS)
http://www.cpms.osd.mil
CPMS supports the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) in planning and formulating civilian personnel programs, providing policy support, functional information management and Department-wide human resources advisory services for the Military Departments and Defense agencies. Through CPMS, DoD administers the Civilian Assistance and Re-Employment (CARE) Program, which oversees the management of draw-downs and transition assistance programs and tools. The CARE Program consists of job placement programs such as the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP), separation incentives such as Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay, and other benefits and services for civilian employees in career transition. CARE also provides direct program assistance to DoD activities affected by downsizing or reorganization.
CPMS also hosts a BRAC transition assistance website (
http://www.cpms.osd.mil/bractransition
) designed to provide employees, managers, supervisors, and human resources specialists the latest information on BRAC, and the variety of transition assistance programs offered by the Department and other Federal agencies. In addition, the website answers questions concerning BRAC and transition programs, and links to websites that will help users learn more about BRAC, transition assistance, and employment opportunities.
DoD uses a variety of tools to reduce staff while avoiding involuntary separations and meeting mission requirements, including:
Job Placement
Priority Placement Program (PPP)
The Priority Placement Program is the Department’s principal mechanism for retaining employees who are adversely affected by reduction in force, transfer of function, base realignment and closure, and other downsizing and restructuring actions. Through its Automated Stopper and Referral System (ASARS), the skills of displaced employees are matched with vacant positions at DoD activities in the employees’ selected geographic area of availability. If the new job involves a move to another location, the costs of moving the employee and his/her household are borne by the government in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations. If the new job is at a lower grade level, the employee’s grade or pay is saved to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Re-Employment Priority List (RPL)
The RPL provides priority reemployment consideration for current and former DoD career and career-conditional competitive service employees, who are separated by reduction in force (RIF) or have received a RIF separation notice or Certificate of Expected Separation (CES). The RPL is also available to employees who are separated (or who accept a lower graded position instead of separation) due to compensable injury or disability and who fully recover more than one year from the date compensation is payable as described in 5 CFR Parts 330 and 353.
Separation Programs
Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VSIP)
VSIP allows activities to offer incentive payments, or “buyouts,” of up to $25,000 to encourage DoD employees to resign or retire. Buyouts are targeted to employees in specific grades, series, or locations, and are used to restructure the workforce or to help avoid RIF and minimize involuntary separations. Generally, activities must offer buyouts to their employees at least 30 days prior to the issuance of RIF notices. Buyouts are also referred to as “incentives,” or “separation pay.”
Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA
)
VERA is a management tool used to mitigate the affects of substantial delayering, RIF, reorganization, or transfer of function. Using the VERA, which is also referred to as “early retirement” or “early out,” DoD activities may downsize or restructure the workforce by allowing employees to retire under reduced age and service requirements (age 50 with 20 years of service, or any age with 25 years of service). Under CSRS, the retirement annuity is reduced by 2 percent per year for each year the employee is under age 55. There is no reduction to a FERS annuity. VERA may be targeted to a specific segment of the workforce based on occupational series or grade; skills, knowledge, or other factors related to a position; organizational, geographical, non-personal and objective factors; or a combination of these factors. The Secretary of Defense redelegated the authority to use VERA to the Heads of the DoD Components for positions up to the GS-15 level (and equivalent) and authorizes further delegation to the lowest practicable level, but not lower than the local installation commander or activity head.
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Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP)
The Department of Defense Homeowner's Assistance Program provides assistance to eligible federal personnel (military and civilian), who are stationed at or near an installation scheduled for closure or realignment and who, through no fault of their own, are unable to sell their homes under reasonable terms and conditions. The program provides assistance to eligible applicants in three ways: the Government may purchase the applicant's home by paying off the balance of any mortgage existing at the time of the closure or realignment announcement, or for 75% of the fair market value prior to the announcement, whichever is higher; applicants who are able to sell their homes may be reimbursed for part of their losses or, in some cases, paid at the time of closing; and, applicants who defaulted on their mortgage through foreclosure may receive financial assistance. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the executive agent with overall responsibility for administering the program. Information concerning HAP is available at
http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/HAP/
Department of Labor
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New Resources for States and Communities
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) National Emergency BRAC Planning Grants:
The Secretary of Labor has awarded WIA National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds to initiate early planning to respond to the workforce impact subsequent to the implementation of BRAC 2005. Grants totaling almost $30 million were awarded to 37 States, the District of Columbia and Guam.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Employment and training resources are available to support the workforce needs related to attracting and retaining new businesses or to support the growth of existing businesses in BRAC impacted communities. State Workforce Agencies and State and Local Workforce Investment Boards are positioned to work in collaboration with Local Redevelopment Authorities and other economic development officials to develop and implement workforce strategies for this purpose.
Coordination Between Rapid Response Officials and DOD Human Resource Officers
The U.S. Department of Labor has facilitated coordination between the State Dislocated Worker Unit Rapid-Response coordinators and the Human Resources Officers as identified by DOD's Civilian Personnel Management Service to facilitate early intervention in the delivery of transition assistance for individuals who may be impacted by BRAC 2005 actions.
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Resources for Workers and Businesses
BRAC-Coach Web-Site
www.Brac-Coach.org
To further aid communities impacted by BRAC actions, DOL has created this online tool to assist workers, businesses, and workforce professionals who may be affected by a local base realignment or closure.
Toll-Free Hotline
1-877-US2-JOBS
Operators will have BRAC-specific talking points to refer callers to local programs, including One-Stop Career Centers for assistance.
One-Stop Career Center One Stop Services
www.servicelocator.org
; 1-877-US2-JOBS
A wide array of services is available to civilian employees who lose their jobs or military spouses who must seek new employment based on BRAC actions. State Workforce Agencies, along with the local One-Stop Career Centers are positioned to coordinate and provide outplacement services for displaced civilian employees. One-Stop Career Centers are the focal point of the workforce investment system, supporting the employment needs of job seekers and the human resource needs of businesses. Transitioning workers (BRAC impacted workers, veterans, military spouses, and others) can access career guidance, information on available jobs, job search assistance, information on training availability, training and educational opportunities, and job placement services. Laid-off workers may also access temporary income support and more intensive services to assist with child-care and transportation needs. The more than 3,400 local One-Stop Career Centers nationwide can be located anywhere in the country by calling the toll-free helpline, 1-877-US2-JOBS (TTY: 1-877-889-5627) or via Web at
www.servicelocator.org
. In addition, on-line assistance is available at
www.careeronestop.org
.
Other Assistance for Military Spouses
Many resources have been developed by the Departments of Defense and Labor to help address the workforce challenges of military spouses. For example,
www.Milspouse.org
is an electronic tool detailing educational, employment and training, and other relevant community resources available to military spouses (e.g., child care and transportation).
www.Militaryspousejobsearch.org
is a job search tool that connects spouses of U.S. military members with employers committed to hiring military spouses. Local programs for helping military spouses have also been developed through ongoing collaboration between Family Support Centers and One-Stop Career Centers. Partnerships between these two entities will be a valuable resource for aiding military spouses impacted by BRAC.
Housing & Urban Development
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Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/index.cfm
.
Begun in 1974, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is one of the oldest programs in HUD. This program provides Federal funds for community and economic development projects. The program supports job creation and retention efforts, local government efforts to provide affordable infrastructure systems and community efforts to improve the quality of life for low- to moderate-income citizens. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis (hence the term entitlement communities) based on the population of the community.
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Small Cities Block Grant (SCBG)
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/index.cfm
The Small Cities Block Grant program (SCBG) provides Federal funds for community and economic development projects to cities not in the CDBG “entitlement” program. The program supports job creation and retention efforts, local government efforts to provide affordable infrastructure systems and community efforts to improve the quality of life for low- to moderate-income citizens. These funds are first provided to States, which in turn make them available to smaller communities.
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Homeless Assistance (Technical & Financial)
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/library/milbase/index.cfm
For over three decades the Department of Defense has been closing or consolidating domestic military installations to reduce overhead. Communities where these bases were located are charged with the responsibility of finding alternative uses for them once they have been closed.
In 1987, Congress passed the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, which made serving the homeless the first priority for use of all surplus Federal properties, including military facilities. In 1994 the Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act (the Redevelopment Act) was passed, superseding the McKinney Act for most base closure buildings and properties.
The Act itself was the end result of recommendations made by HUD, the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, the General Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Redevelopment Act accommodates the impacted communities' multiple interests in base reuse as well as to meet national priorities for homeless assistance. To help communities gain a greater understanding of the provisions of the Act, and to assist them in implementing the law in a fair and consistent manner, HUD published the Guidebook on Military Base Reuse and Homeless Assistance.
The Guidebook includes an overview of the base redevelopment process, reviews consolidated and redevelopment plans, offers model base reuse plans, and provides guidance for communities seeking additional sources of assistance with HUD Homeless Assistance Programs. For further information, please contact Linda Charest, Coordinator of HUD's Base Redevelopment Team, by phone at (202) 708-1234, ext. 2595 or by e-mail.
The Guidebook is also available on HUD's Web site in two electronic versions. One is an interactive version that can be read online. The other is an Adobe .PDF document and can be downloaded directly to your computer. Please note that in order to view the .PDF version a downloadable viewer must be installed on your computer.
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Self Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/shop/index.cfm
SHOP provides funds for eligible non-profit organizations to purchase home sites and develop or improve the infrastructure needed to set the stage for sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs for low-income persons and families. SHOP is authorized by the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, Section 11, and is subject to other Federal crosscutting requirements.
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Native American Assistance
http://www.hud.gov/groups/nativeamericans.cfm
HUD offers a range of programs, assistance, and loan programs specifically for Native American tribes, organizations, and sometimes individuals. See website for details.
Department of Commerce
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Economic Development Programs
http://www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/Programs.xml
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has provided grants that have leveraged private sector and local public sector dollars for targeted investments to alleviate the sudden economic dislocation caused by base closures. Total EDA grants from additional appropriations made for bases closed in 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1995 exceeded $640 million. Additionally, EDA received approximately $274 million from the Department of Defense and $8 million from the Department of Energy in appropriations for specially targeted defense adjustment projects. These grants provided substantial funds for a range of services including: infrastructure development, technology initiatives, revolving loan funds and other economic development strategies. EDA's Economic Adjustment Program predominantly supported three types of grant activities: strategic planning, project implementation, and Revolving Loan Funds (RLF's). Implementation grants supported one or more activities identified in an EDA approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
Communities economically impacted by major base closures or realignments may be eligible for funding under EDA's Planning, Technical Assistance and Public Works programs.
Department of Transportation
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Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
http://www.faa.gov/arp/financial/aip/overview.cfm?ARPnav=aip
The AIP provides grants to public agencies for the planning and development of public use airports that are in the National Plan for Integrated Airports System (NPIAS). The Federal share of eligible costs for large and medium primary hub airports is 75%, with the exception of the noise program which is 80%. For remaining airports (small hub, non-hub, primary relievers, and general aviation airports) the participation is 95%. The AIP was funded at about $3.4 billion in FY 2003 from the Aviation Trust Fund.
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Military Airport Program (MAP)
http://www.faa.gov/arp/planning/map/index.cfm?nav=map
The MAP was established in Federal law (49USC 47118) to place special emphasis on the development of appropriate former military (closed under BRAC) and existing joint use military airports. This is a set-aside in the Aviation Trust Fund, representing $35 million in FY 2005, or about 4% (49USC47117) of the discretionary part of the full AIP appropriation. Competition for the limited number of slots in this program is keen because regulations allow funding of certain capital improvements that are not allowed under the main AIP. MAP grants can be used for projects not generally funded by the AIP, such as: surface parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, terminals, utility systems (on and off the airport), access roads and cargo buildings
Department of Agriculture
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Rural Development Programs
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
USDA’s Rural Development programs provide loans, loan guarantees, and grants. Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs. Rural Development works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy.
Housing
Rural Development provides homeownership loans and loan guarantees. Its housing program finances new or improved housing for low to moderate income families and individuals who wish to live in rural areas or rural cities or towns. Loans are provided for the purchase, construction, rehabilitation or relocation of a dwelling and related facilities. Two types of loans are offered: guaranteed and direct. Under the direct loan program, individuals and families receive loans directly from USDA. Payments are based on income and you must be unable to obtain a homeownership loan from a bank or other conventional sources. Guaranteed loans are available to applicants whose income is too high to qualify for a direct housing loan. These loans are made by private lenders and guaranteed by Rural Development.
Self Help
Since it’s inception in 1966, Rural Development’s Mutual Self Help Housing program has provided more than $2 Billion in loans to hard-working families that has resulted in the construction of over 39,600 homes. Technical assistance grants provide funds for eligible non-profit organizations to purchase home sites and develop or improve the infrastructure needed to set the stage for sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs for low-income persons and families.
Home Improvement Loans and Grants:
This program enables very low-income rural homeowners to remove health and safety hazards, to improve accessibility to people with disabilities, and to make substantial home repairs and improvements when other financing options are not available. Low interest (1 percent) loans are available to households with very low incomes. For seniors age 62 and older who cannot afford a loan, grant funds are available for essential repairs.
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans:
The program provides financial backing for rural businesses. Commercial loan guarantees are available for up to 80% of the loan amount. Assistance is available to virtually any legally organized entity including individuals. B&I loan guarantees are normally available in rural areas which include all areas other than cities or towns of more than 50,000 people and the adjacent urbanized area of such cities and towns.
Community Facilities Loans and Grants:
Available to develop essential community facilities and purchase equipment, such as rescue vehicles. Examples of essential community facilities include health care clinics, police and fire stations, schools and child care centers. Applications are handled by USDA Rural Development field offices. Contact any state office for more information.
Department of Interior
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Parks and Preservation Program
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra/grants/
)
Maritime (
http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/grants.htm
)
Save America’s Treasures (
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/treasures/
)
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Historic Preservation Tax Credits
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/tax/incentives/index.htm
Incentives
offers a guide to the Federal historical preservation tax credit program for income-producing properties regarding the process to receiving historic designation and obtaining financial assistance. Other grant programs can be found on this site:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/grants.htm
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Park Conveyances
Federal Lands to Parks Program
http://www.nps.gov/flp
The Federal Lands to Parks Program enables states and local governments to acquire available Federal real property for public parks and recreation at up to no cost.
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Historic Preservation Conveyances
Historic Surplus Property Program
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/hspp_p.htm
The Historic Surplus Property Program enables states and local governments to acquire available historic Federal real property at no cost if the property is listed in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places to ensure the historic preservation and compatible reuse of the property.
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Cultural Resources/Historic Preservation Assistance Programs
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/tax/index.htm
The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives are available for buildings that are National Historic Landmarks, that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or that contribute to National Register Historic Districts and certain local historic districts. Properties must be income-producing and must be rehabilitated according to standards set by the Secretary of the Interior.
Historic Preservation Grants
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/hpg/
The Historic Preservation Grants Division is responsible for the administration of the National Park Service's preservation grant programs, including the Save America’s Treasures program for nationally significant properties. These grant programs assist Federal, State, and local governments; Native American Tribes; nonprofit organizations and educational institutions for preservation projects in all 50 states and the U.S. Territories.
Heritage Preservation Services
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/index.htm
The Heritage Preservation Services Division provides a broad range of products and services, financial assistance and incentives, educational guidance, and technical information in support of preserving historic properties. Its diverse partners include State Historic Preservation Offices, local governments, Native American Tribes, Federal agencies, colleges, and non-profit organizations.
Health & Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services administers public benefit transfer programs which enable communities and other eligible applicants to acquire former military property, infrastructure and improvements at a discount or at no cost.
Federal Property Assistance Program
http://www.psc.gov/aos/federalprop
Health Sponsored Conveyance Programs
http://propertydisposal.gsa.gov/Property/library/law/law_main1.asp
Water & Sewer System Conveyance Programs
http://www.epa.gov/owm/mab/smcomm/eparev.htm
Office of Personnel Management
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Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)
http://www.opm.gov/ctap/
The reemployment priority list (RPL) is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by reduction in force (RIF) or fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than 1 year.
Small Business Administration
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Small Business Loans
http://www.sba.gov/financing/
SBA offers numerous financing programs to assist small businesses. SBA has been assisting businesses with their financing needs since 1953.
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Office of Entrepreneurial Development Programs
Small Business Development Centers
http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/
SBDCs offer one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations. The program is a cooperative effort of the private sector, the educational community and Federal, State and local governments.
Small Business Training Network
http://www.sba.gov/training/
The Small Business Training Network, sponsored by the
Office of Entrepreneurial Development
, is a virtual campus housing free training courses, workshops and knowledge resources designed to assist entrepreneurs and other students of enterprise.
Business & Community Initiatives
http://www.sba.gov/bi/
The Office engages in co-sponsorships with private sector partners who are designed to provide small business owners with information, education and training that is cost-effective, of high quality and reflective of trends in small business development. As a result of these co-sponsorships, small businesses receive a broad variety of education and training opportunities, written materials, and other forms of assistance that are provided free of charge or at extremely low cost.
Women’s Business Ownership
http://www.sba.gov/ed/wbo/index.html
SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) is leading the way.
OWBO promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, Federal contracts, and international trade opportunities.
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Historically Underutilized Business Zone Programs (HUBZones)
https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/
The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing Federal contracting preferences to small businesses. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone.
Department of Education
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Impact Aid Program
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/impactaid/index.html
The mission of the Impact Aid Program is to disburse Impact Aid payments to local educational agencies that are financially burdened by Federal activities and to provide technical assistance and support services to staff and other interested parties.
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Educational Conveyance
The Secretary of Education has the legislative authority to sell and convey Federal real property to States, their political subdivisions, colleges, universities, public and private non-profit school systems and other education organizations at public benefit allowance discounts up to 100% off the current fair market value of the available property.
Department of Treasury
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New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC)
http://www.cdfifund.gov/programs/programs.asp?programID=5
The NMTC Program attracts private-sector capital investment into the nation’s urban and rural low-income areas to help finance community development projects, stimulate economic growth and create jobs. The NMTC program, established by Congress in December of 2000, permits individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against Federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in investment vehicles known as Community Development Entities (CDEs). Substantially all of the investor dollars must in turn be used by the CDE to provide investments in low-income communities. NMTCs are allocated annually by the Fund to CDEs under a competitive application process. Throughout the life of the NMTC Program, the Fund is authorized to allocate to CDEs the authority to issue to their investors up to the aggregate amount of $15 billion in equity as to which NMTCs can be claimed.
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Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI) Program
http://www.cdfifund.gov/programs/programs.asp?programID=7
Through the CDFI Program, the Fund provides financial assistance to certified CDFIs that demonstrate the ability to leverage non-Federal dollars to support comprehensive business plans of providing services to create community development impact in underserved markets. The CDFI Program also provides technical assistance to existing and emerging CDFIs to build their capacity to serve their communities.
Department of Homeland Security
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First Responder Assistance Programs
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0355.xml
The objective is to enhance the capacity of State and local first responders in response to a “weapons of mass destruction” (WMD) incident involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive devices. Funds will be used to provide support for planning and conducting exercises at the National, State, and local levels.
Department of Veterans Affairs
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Various Health Care and Benefits Program Available
www.va.gov
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers a wide range of health care and benefits programs to assist veterans. These programs provide critical resources that veterans may access when services provided at military bases (particularly medical care) are no longer available as a result of base realignment or closure.
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VA Education Benefit Programs Available
www.GIBILL.va.gov
Qualifying veterans, service members, and dependents of veterans can receive VA Education Benefits for pursuing approved education and training programs. These programs can include college, on-the-job and apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, flight training, and correspondence courses as well as reimbursement for certain national admissions and licensing and certification tests.
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VA Loan Guaranty Benefits
www.homeloans.va.gov
VA Loan Guaranty Service offers assistance to veteran borrowers in the form of financial counseling; when appropriate, intervention with a borrower’s mortgage company to make forbearance and repayment arrangements; and when appropriate VA may also consider refunding a veteran’s loan in order to make mortgage payments more affordable. These efforts help veterans avoid foreclosure during times of financial hardship, such as may be experienced during military base closures and realignments.
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Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Available
www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
The VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides qualified disabled veterans with the services and assistance necessary to find and maintain suitable employment and/or independence in daily living. The services, which are provided on an individualized basis, may include job readiness skills, job development and placement assistance, formal training or retraining to qualify for employment, and on-the-job training and other work experience programs.
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He
alth Care Benefits
www1.va.gov/Health_Benefits/
VA honors America's veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well being. VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a patient-centered integrated health care organization providing excellence in health care, research, and education. It is an organization where people choose to work, an active community partner and a back-up for national emergencies. VA provides a medical benefits package, which is a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled veterans. To learn more about eligibility, visit:
http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp
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State Veterans Home and State Cemetery Programs
Two programs that may be of interest to communities affected by the BRAC are the State Veterans Home Program and the State Cemetery program. The State Home Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the States to construct or acquire nursing home, domiciliary and/or adult day health care facilities. VA’s State Cemetery Grants Program assists states in providing gravesites for veterans in those areas where VA’s national cemeteries cannot fully satisfy their burial needs. The decision to operate a state veterans home or cemeteries is at the discretion of each state.
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Information for Returning Duty, National Guard and Reserve Service Members
Information for returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service members of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) is available at:
www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/
Environmental Protection Agency
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Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC)
http://www.toscprogram.org
The Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program helps citizens better understand the hazardous contamination issues in or near their communities by providing free, independent, non-advocate, technical assistance about environmentally contaminated sites. TOSC taps into the technical expertise of the university environmental researchers to determine what will best meet a community's needs. It is a goal of the TOSC program to help citizens understand the underlying technical issues associated with a contaminated site so that they may substantively participate in the decision-making process. This service is available to non-profit community groups for assistance at BRAC and non-BRAC sites. In 2007, the administration of this program will change; please reference
Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities (TOSNAC)
http://bridge.ecn.purdue.edu/~tosnac/
The Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities (TOSNAC) program provides technical assistance to Native Americans dealing with hazardous substance issues. It provides first contact, needs assessment, initial support, and long-term technical support arrangements by regional TOSC programs and other resources, as necessary. In 2007, the administration of this program will change; please reference
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/community/index.htm
for information on how this program will be available to communities after 2007.
Technical Assistance Grants (TAG)
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/tools/tag/
BRAC installations that are on the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL), or proposed to be listed, may be eligible for Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs). An initial grant up to $50,000 is available to qualified community groups to hire an independent technical advisor to interpret documents, which helps community members understand the environmental conditions and cleanup of the base. Only one TAG can be awarded for an installation at any one time, and TAG funding is limited. Presently, the funds from TAG awards are actively being used to assist twenty different community groups who are located near federal facilities listed on the NPL. Six of these community groups are located near a military installation that was closed or realigned under one of the previous four BRAC rounds, and one community group with an active TAG receives assistance for Naval Air Station Brunswick, which was recently identified for closure under the 2005 round of BRAC.
Regional Public Liaison (Regional Ombudsman)
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/reforms/reforms/3-19.htm#res
The Regional Public Liaison serves an ombudsman function for Superfund cleanups. The Regional Public Liaison is responsible for resolving concerns and for providing guidance to regional personnel and to stakeholders, including the community. Communities with concerns about Superfund BRAC site cleanup activities may contact the established Regional Public Liaison if the community feels their concerns are not adequately addressed through normal channels. The Regional Public Liaison serves as a direct point of contact for the public on Superfund concerns; he/she has the ability to look independently into problems and facilitate the communication that can lead to a solution.
Smart Growth Technical Assistance Opportunities
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sg_implementation.htm
As local governments continue to be confronted daily by growth pressures, including the challenge to develop in ways that improve the tax base, provide housing and transportation choices, and minimize environmental impacts, community demand for tools and assistance to address these issues has increased dramatically. Communities interested in employing smart growth practices and policies throughout base reuse planning/redevelopment, or for growth planning of their BRAC installations, may be eligible for various technical assistance opportunities offered through EPA's Development, Community and Environment Division. Specific opportunities for smart growth assistance vary from year to year; please reference the website for programs currently available.
Department of Justice
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Correctional Facilities
www.usdoj.gov
Military Services have the authority to transfer or convey to states or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof surplus real and related personal property at a closed or realigned military base required for correctional facilities for use by the authorized transferee for the care or rehabilitation of criminal offenders. Transfers or conveyance under this authority can be made without monetary consideration to the United States. The principal restrictive provision in the instrument of conveyance requires the property be used and maintained for the purpose for which it was conveyed in perpetuity or, at the option of the United States, all such property reverts to the United States.
State and Federal correctional facilities can be found at numerous former military installations around the country, including, Chase Field Naval Air Station, TX, Seneca Army Depot, NY, Grissom AFB, IN, Fort Devens, MA, Castle AFB and Sierra Army Depot, CA to name a few. All told the Department of Justice has sponsored the transfer of approximately 6000 acres of property at 18 different installations. The Bureau of Prisons is in the process of closing 3 Federal Prison Camps on active military bases, thus the Bureau does not anticipate interest in or a need for any BRAC properties.
For further information contact, please contact the Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530, (202) 514-4000,
www.usdoj.gov
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