Community Development Block Grant Program

The Community Development Block Grant Program administered through Douglas County represents a locally coordinated implementation of a federally funded initiative designed to support community development priorities in rural Nevada. While the funding originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Douglas County plays a critical intermediary role by soliciting, evaluating, and forwarding applications from eligible local entities to the State CDBG Office. The program is part of a broader national effort to strengthen communities by addressing infrastructure, economic development, and housing needs, particularly for underserved populations. The primary purpose of this grant cycle is to fund projects that align with federally mandated national objectives. These objectives include benefiting low-to-moderate income individuals, eliminating conditions of slum or blight, or addressing urgent community needs that pose risks to public health and safety. The scope of funding for the 2027 cycle includes community facilities, planning and capacity building initiatives, economic development efforts, microenterprise support, and broader low-to-moderate income development activities. The anticipated allocation for this funding cycle is approximately 2.8 million dollars, though this amount remains subject to final congressional approval. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include non-entitlement rural cities and counties within Nevada. These jurisdictions are specifically targeted because they do not receive direct federal CDBG allocations and instead rely on state-administered funding processes. All proposed projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with one of the qualifying national objectives, and applicants are expected to provide detailed project plans, including intended outcomes, beneficiaries, and compliance with federal guidelines. The application process requires submission through the ZoomGrants online platform. Applicants must prepare a complete proposal package that aligns with both local and state requirements. Prior to submission, Douglas County offers informational support through scheduled meetings, including an initial informational session where program details, eligibility criteria, and the application process are reviewed. Additional public meetings are conducted to evaluate submitted proposals and select a limited number of applications to forward to the state level for final consideration. The timeline for the 2027 grant cycle includes multiple key deadlines and decision points. The first major deadline for submission through ZoomGrants is October 14, 2026. A secondary deadline for submission to the Community Development Department occurs on February 3, 2027, followed by a final deadline of February 17, 2027 for submission to the State CDBG Office. In addition to submission deadlines, Douglas County holds evaluation meetings in September and December 2026 to review applications and determine which projects will advance. Evaluation of applications is conducted through a competitive review process that considers alignment with program objectives, project feasibility, community impact, and compliance with eligibility requirements. Only two to three projects are expected to be selected by the County for advancement to the state level, making the process highly selective. Applicants are encouraged to participate in public meetings and provide input during early stages to strengthen their proposals. For additional information and assistance, applicants may contact the Community Development Department directly. A designated contact person is available to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the application process. The program operates on an annual cycle, and applicants should anticipate similar timelines and requirements in future funding rounds, making early engagement and preparation essential for success.

Ensure project clearly aligns with one of the three national objectives and demonstrates strong community impact and feasibility