BUILD Act
The BUILD Act creates a Distressed Communities Grant Program administered by the Secretary of Commerce (through the Economic Development Administration framework) to award grants to certain institutions of higher education located in economically distressed communities. The goal is for these colleges and universities to plan and implement projects that spur local economic development and community revitalization. The program has two grant tracks: planning grants (to develop implementation plans) and implementation grants (to carry out those plans). Eligible projects span a wide range, including physical improvements to campus and community facilities, housing, cultural venues, small business seed funds, apprenticeships, broadband infrastructure, health clinics and workforce training, and partnerships with local schools and research aligned with community needs. The Act sets specific criteria for which institutions qualify and imposes reporting requirements for grant recipients.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a Distressed Communities Grant Program to fund eligible higher education institutions for planning and implementing economic and community development projects in distressed communities.
- 2Institutions are designated based on specified income-based criteria tied to metropolitan/micropolitan areas or non-metro areas, plus state and national median income comparisons.
- 3Planning grants: up to 2 years, up to $100,000 per year per institution; recipients must develop an implementation plan describing eligible projects and how they will revitalize the community. Planning grants can be followed by potential additional funds if requested within 1 year, with a 90-day decision window.
- 4Implementation grants: 5-year grant term, with a funding range of $25,000,000 to $50,000,000 per grant; funds must be used for eligible projects in the distressed community where the institution is located, with at least one annual funding distribution during the term.
- 5Eligible projects include construction/renovation of community-benefiting buildings, housing, cultural facilities, seed funding for early-stage companies, apprenticeships, municipal broadband, public health clinics and health workforce training, school district partnerships, and campus-based research relevant to community needs.
- 6Definitions clarify which institutions qualify (per the Higher Education Act framework, excluding Morrill Act 1862 institutions, very high research activity institutions, and service academies) and designate the Secretary as the Secretary of Commerce acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.