Community Development

Department

Developing, Strengthening and Revitalizing Communities Across Southern Idaho

Building Strong Communities
Takes Time and Resources

Idaho’s rural leaders need all of the help they can get to create more livable and sustainable communities. With tight budgets and limited staff, finding resources to improve community infrastructure or develop strategic plans for economic and community development is often the last on the long list of demands.

However, in South-Central Idaho, our community leaders find that getting help as simple as a phone call to Frontier Community Resources.

What Can Frontier do for
Your Community

For more than four decades, Frontier Community Resources has been providing hands-on technical assistance to communities throughout southern Idaho – from helping with basic infrastructure development (sewer, water, fire protection) to assisting with community building (training, visioning, and comprehensive planning). The Frontier Community Resources team can assist with town meetings, preparing funding applications, and project administration.

Funding Programs We Work With

Frontier Community Resources currently operates or has involvement in a wide variety of programs, projects, and activities that directly impact communities across the region. Whether you are looking for help with community infrastructure planning or implementation, the Frontier team can help. Some of the programs we work with include:

The Association operates under a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to assist local units of government with economic development planning and community development planning activities. One function under this program is the annual development and compilation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) planning document. This document outlines the resources for and the constraints to growth being experienced by the cities and counties throughout the region. The CEDS includes the "Community Wish-List", providing a focal point for prioritizing development efforts.

On an annual basis, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates roughly $10.0 million in Block Grant funds to the State of Idaho. Administered through the Department of Commerce – Block Grant funds can be used for the development of housing and public infrastructure; senior centers and community centers; and to support the local governments’ efforts in response to a natural disaster or an imminent threat to health and safety. Eligibility is limited to small cities and counties with populations classified under HUD guidelines as being predominantly of low and moderate income. Funding allocations are based on an annual competitive application process. Block Grant funding is also available for economic development projects. Economic Development projects are also evaluated competitively under a separate category and must provide job opportunities to people of low and moderate income.

In 2001, the Idaho Legislature passed the rural initiative to assist rural communities diversify their economies. Two new funding programs emerged from this legislation, the Rural Community Block Grant Program (RCBG) and the Gem Implementation Grant Program (GCI). The objective of both programs is to support publicly owned infrastructure and assets required for business development and job creation.

The Economic Development Administration provides grant assistance to communities and regional organizations for projects that will directly analyze or impact the long-term economic stability of the area. Projects under this program can include assessments and planning studies as well as implementation of strategies to change the economic direction of the community. (LTED - Long Term Economic Deterioration)

This grant program is generally used to assist in the development of innovative small business applications. Currently, the Association is using this grant source to develop a feasibility evaluation for new incubator facilities. In cooperation with the College of Southern Idaho, the Association intends to determine the need and feasibility of a new incubator to serve the needs of the small business community of South-Central Idaho.

The Idaho Department of Commerce conducts a similar community development planning process under their Gem Community program. Community leaders and concerned citizens are encouraged to work together to find resolution to common problems in the community. These groups are also vital in providing a comprehensive response team for business diversification inquiries. Frontier staff acts as a resource for both the Rural Revitalization through Forestry and the Gem Community programs.

Facility Planning Grant: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provides financial assistance to owners of eligible public drinking water systems in Idaho through its Drinking Water Planning Grant Program. The program funds facility planning projects designed to ensure safe and adequate supplies of drinking water.

DEQ awards grants to develop planning and environmental documents that identify the most cost-effective, environmentally sound method of upgrading public drinking water systems to achieve and maintain compliance with state and federal standards. A planning document may be a facility plan or engineering report.

King Hill Broadband Installation. Pictured: Tom Kealey - Director of Idaho Department of Commerce, and Eric Forsch - Broadband Development Manager (DOC) with Frontier Economic Development team member Adeanna Jenkins .

Start Your Project

1. Contact Us Today

We’ll set up a meeting with you where we’ll discuss your needs and find ways that we can help.

2. Get Resources

Once we know what kind of assistance you need, we’ll help you find and apply for financial and physical resources.

3. Strengthen Your Community

With funding and resources taken care of, pursue your goals and help your local community thrive!

Get Started

Economic Development Strategy