Office Of Community And Economic Development / Industrial Development Authority
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Community and economic development services in Cameron County are provided through two agencies – the Cameron County Office of Community and Economic Development and the Cameron County Industrial Development Authority.
Cameron County Office of Community and Economic Development
The Cameron County Office of Community and Economic Development is under the direction of the Cameron County Commissioners. It administers the Cameron County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the Cameron County Housing Rehabilitation (HOME) Program, and the Cameron County Business Loan Program.
CDBG
The CDBG Program provides federal funding for community projects on an annual entitlement basis to Cameron County. Applications may be submitted by individuals, local governments, and non-profit organizations to fund projects which are determined to be fundable. Fundable projects must benefit a majority population of low-moderate income persons, eliminate a condition of blight, or meet a particularly urgent community development need.
Applications may be submitted at any time but are reviewed only annually by the Cameron County Commissioners, and, if selected by the Commissioners, correspondingly submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for approval.
Cameron County’s CDBG application is at the following link:
HOME
The Cameron County Housing Rehabilitation Program is at this time funded solely with federal HOME funds. HOME Funds are offered to the County on a competitive basis. The County has successfully obtained funding every 1 1/2 to 2 years to manage an income eligible homeowner rehabilitation program in perpetuity since 2000.
HOME Funds must be targeted, to which the County has decided to require applicants, in addition to owning their home and being income eligible, to be 62 years of age or older, or disabled regardless of age. Applications may be submitted by anyone at any time with no guarantee of timely assistance, or assistance at all.
Cameron County’s HOME application and summary guidelines and process are at the following links:
- Housing Rehabilitation Application
- Housing Rehabilitation Application-- Income and Asset Inclusions and Exclusions
- Housing Rehabilitation Guidelines
- Housing Rehabilitation Process
The Cameron County Office of Community and Economic Development manages three loan programs for the benefit of Cameron County Businesses – the Cameron County Revolving Loan Fund, the Cameron County Micro-Loan Program, and the Cameron County USDA RBEG (Rural Business Enterprise Grant) Loan Program.
Each program offers a fixed, low-interest rate, with flexible terms and is based on the premise of job creation and/or retention. Startup business applicants must complete a business plan before submitting an application. The Cameron County Industrial Development Authority serves as Cameron County’s loan review board. Applications are available only at the Cameron County Office of Community and Economic Development.
The guidelines for each fund are at the following links:
- Cameron County Revolving Loan Fund Guidelines
- Cameron County Micro Loan Fund Guidelines
- Cameron County USDA RBEG Loan Fund Guidelines
The Cameron County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA) was created by Cameron County in 1971 to serve the traditional “Authority” role as a financing mechanism for Cameron County for the purpose of business and infrastructure development. The CCIDA is under the direction of a seven member Cameron County Commissioners appointed Board of Directors and managed by an Executive Director.
The CCIDA’s primary role is to serve as a pass-through to finance business development projects utilizing either conventional bank financing or through the issuance of revenue bonds, either as a stand-alone project or via a bond pool. Businesses seeking financing for relatively large investments ($500,000 or more) whether for a building project or for the purchase of equipment may use the CCIDA’s capability to facilitate the transaction.
The CCIDA also owns a 34,000 sq.ft. manufacturing rental facility which is currently fully occupied, implements federal and state business incentive initiatives as they arise, and prepares infrastructure grant and loan applications for businesses and municipalities and grant applications for community organizations for select projects.
Cliff Clark, Director
Cameron County Community and Economic Development
20 East 5th Street
Emporium, PA 15834
(814) 486-3439
cclark@cameroncountypa.com