On the application of an eligible recipient, the Secretary may make grants for—
(1)
acquisition or development of land and improvements for use for a public works, public service, or development facility or for the improvement of waste management and recycling systems; and
(2)
1 1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma. acquisition, design and engineering, construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, increasing the resilience or improvement of such a facility, including related machinery and equipment.
(b)
Criteria for grant
The Secretary may make a grant under this section only if the Secretary determines that—
(1)
the project for which the grant is applied for will, directly or indirectly—
(A)
2 2 So in original. The comma probably should not appear. improve the opportunities, in the area where the project is or will be located, for the successful establishment, expansion, or retention, of industrial or commercial plants or facilities;
(B)
assist in the creation of additional long-term employment opportunities in the area; or
(C)
primarily benefit the long-term unemployed and underemployed and members of low-income families;
(2)
the project for which the grant is applied for will fulfill a pressing need of the area, or a part of the area, in which the project is or will be located; and
(3)
the area for which the project is to be carried out has a comprehensive economic development strategy and the project is consistent with the strategy.
(c)
Additional considerations
In awarding grants under subsection (a) and subject to the criteria in subsection (b), the Secretary may also consider the extent to which a project would—
(1)
lead to economic diversification in the area, or a part of the area, in which the project is or will be located;
(2)
address and mitigate economic impacts from extreme weather events, including development of resilient infrastructure, products, and processes;
(3)
benefit highly rural communities without adequate tax revenues to invest in long-term or costly infrastructure;
(4)
increase access to high-speed broadband;
(5)
support outdoor recreation to spur economic development, with a focus on rural communities;
(6)
promote job creation or retention relative to the population of the impacted region with outsized significance;
(7)
promote travel and tourism; or
(8)
promote blue economy activities.
(d)
Maximum assistance for each State
Not more than 15 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section may be expended in any 1 State.
Pub. L. 118–272, § 2213(a)(1)(A)2025—Subsec. (a)(1). , inserted “or for the improvement of waste management and recycling systems” after “development facility”.
Pub. L. 118–272, § 2213(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (b)(1)(A). , substituted “successful establishment, expansion, or retention,” for “successful establishment or expansion”.