Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

Flagship Grant Program Launches Addressing Economic and Poverty Issues

Southeaster states poverty percentages — Most of the SCRC member states experience higher rates of poverty than the national average (11.9%)

The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) was created by the 2008 United States Farm Bill. The concept was first introduced by university researchers working on rural development issues in 1990 at Tuskegee University’s Annual Professional Agricultural Worker’s Conference. On December 8, 2021, the United States Senate confirmed the SCRC’s first Federal Co-Chair, Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed, thereby allowing the SCRC to convene and begin other activities to serve the seven-state region.

The mission of SCRC is “To build sustainable communities and strengthen economic growth across the Southeast Crescent region.” SCRC spans 210,508 square miles in seven states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. In fiscal year 2022, the SCRC had 51.1 million residents in 428 counties or county equivalents, of which 179 (41%) were classified as being distressed or in persistent poverty.

Developed in collaboration with partners at the federal, state, and local levels and with input from residents across the region, the SCRC represents priorities, needs, and perspectives shared by the very communities the Commission serves. The Commission will empower communities through its flagship grant program that launched in June of 2023. By investing in local and regional planning initiatives, projects, and programs, the SCRC is committed to building sustainable communities and strengthening economic growth across the Southeast region, particularly the economically distressed and impoverished communities in our seven-state region.

SCRC Investment

SCRC will invest in basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, telecommunications infrastructure, job skills training, business development and entrepreneurship, basic health care and other public services, conservation, tourism, recreation, preservation of open space, and renewable and alternative energy sources. At least 50% of SCRC funds will be conferred in economically distressed counties and areas of economic distress. SCRC is committed to building sustainable communities and strengthening economic growth in the 428 counties and county equivalents that make up the Southeast Crescent footprint.

SCRC Strategic Goals

Invest in Critical Infrastructure
Improve Health and Support Services Access and Outcomes
Strengthen Workforce Capacity
Foster Entrepreneurial and Business Development Activities
Expand Affordable Housing Stock and Access.
Improve Environmental Conservation, Preservation, and Access

SCRC Economic Designations and Funding Availability

In accordance with 40 U.S.C. § 15702, the SCRC will annually assign economic designations to counties and areas within the region. The categories are:

Distressed Counties: Those counties that are the most severely and persistently economically distressed and underdeveloped with high rates of poverty, unemployment, or outmigration. These counties are eligible for up to 80% SCRC funding with a 20% match required.

Transitional Counties: Those counties that are economically distressed and underdeveloped or have recently suffered high rates of poverty, unemployment, or outmigration. These counties are eligible for up to 50% SCRC funding with a 50% match required.

Attainment Counties: Those counties that are not designated as distressed or transitional counties. These counties are not eligible for SCRC funding.

To see your county designation visit the full list:
https://scrc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SCRC-Counties-by-Economic-Designation31935.pdf

Grant Awards

Public infrastructure — SCRC will invest in basic public infrastructure.

For 2023, the SCRC State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) grant program allocation for North Carolina is $4.46 million and for Virginia $1.81 million. For non-construction projects, the grant award range is a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $350,000. For construction projects, the maximum extends to $500,000.

The period of performance for SEID grant awards is 24 months. The anticipated start date for awards is mid-January of 2024, and all projects should be completed on or before November 30, 2025.

Eligible Applicants

State governments of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia
Local governments (village, town, city, and county)
Other political subdivisions of States (regional planning commissions, special purpose district of a state or local government engaged in economic or community development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions)
Indian tribe (or “federally recognized Indian tribe)
Non-profit entities – any organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code.

The Pre-application Deadline Has Been Extended

The online pre-application deadline has been extended until September 15, 2023, at 5 pm EST.
The full application will be open on November 6, at 12 pm EST.
The full application deadline is December 15, at 5pm EST.