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Home My WebLink AboutPR 22017: ACCEPTANCE OF EDA CARES ACT RECOVERY ASSISTANCE City of nrr rthu� INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: June 22, 2021 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ronald "Ron" Burton, City Manager From: Pamela Langford, Assistant City Manager — Operations/Director of 1,- -0 Development Services RE: P.R. NO. 22017 — Acceptance of EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant Introduction: The intent of this Agenda Item is to seek the City Council's approval of P. R. No. 22017 to accept $3 million Economic Development Administration CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant. The grant will support the design and construction of data cabling and fiber optic infrastructure and new electrical service infrastructure to promote business expansion and economic resiliency in the downtown business district. The project has a $777,000 match with local funds. Background: The mission of the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U. S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U. S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. The EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant will fund the design and construction of a data cabling and fiber optic infrastructure, new electrical service infrastructure and appurtenances in the City of Port Arthur, a designated Opportunity Zone. The project will provide critical communication infrastructure that will have an economic impact to the City's lagging downtown business district and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, which will lead to strong growth for local industry partners. Once completed, the project will help the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, create and retain jobs, attract private investment, and strengthen the regional economy. Budget Impact: Economic Development Administration Grant Funding match is available in Account No. 307-25-067-8525-00-10-000. Recommendation: It is recommended that City Council approve P. R. No. 22017. P.R. No.22017 06/17/2021 M. Essex Page I1 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A$3,000,000.00 GRANT FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA) CARES ACT RECOVERY ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF DATA CABLING AND FIBER OPTIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND NEW ELECTRICAL SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CITYS DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT WITH A MATCHING FUND REQUIREMENT OF $777,000.00 BUDGETED IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT NO. 307-25-067-8525-00-10- 000 WHEREAS, the mission of the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U. S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U. S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth; and, WHEREAS, the EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant will fund the design and construction of a data cabling and fiber optic infrastructure, new electrical service infrastructure and appurtenances in the City of Port Arthur, a designated Opportunity Zone. The project will provide critical communication infrastructure that will have an economic impact to the City's lagging downtown business district and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, which will lead to strong growth for local industry partners. Once completed, the project will help the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, create and retain jobs, attract private investment, and strengthen the regional economy; and, WHEREAS, the EDA CARES Act Recovery G rant will be matched with $777,000.00 in local funds and is expected to create 41 jobs, retain 29 jobs, and generate $76.5 million in private investment; and, P.R. No.22017 06/17/2021 M. Essex Page I 2 WHEREAS, the City Council, is required to designate an official to sign all documents in connection with the EDA CARES Act Recovery grant; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS: THAT, the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. THAT, the City Council herby authorizes the acceptance of the CARES Act Recovery Grant in the amount of $3,000,000.00 from Economic Development Administration (EDA), with a matching requirement of $777,000.00. THAT the City Council hereby designates the City Manager to execute all documents in connection with the EDA CARES Act Recovery Grant; and, THAT a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED this day of June A.D., 2021 at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote: AYES: MAYOR COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: Thurman Bill Bartie, Mayor P.R.No.22017 06/17/2021 M. Essex Page I 3 ATTEST: Sherri Bellard, TRMC, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Valecia "Val" Tizeno, City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: Ronald "Ron" Burton, City Manager APPROVED FOR AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: Kandy Dani0, Interim Finance Director P.R. No.22017 06/17/2021 M.Essex Page I 4 Exhibit "A" P.R.No.22017 06/17/2021 M.Essex Page I From: Guerrero,Jay(Cornyn) <Jay Guerrero@cornvn.senate.gov> Sent:Thursday,June 17, 2021 1:54 PM To:Thurman Bartie<thurman.bartie@portarthurtx.gov> Cc: Ron Burton<ron.burtonPportarthurtx.gov> Subject: [NON-CoPA] Notice of Investment Award -City of Port Arthur Dear Mayor Bartie, It was a pleasure to see you at Mayor Ames retirement reception. I have good 2 good pieces of news that the Senator wanted to pass on.The first is related to his legislation recognizing Juneteenth as a National Holiday: https://www.cornvn.senate.gov/content/news/video-cornyn-celebrates-senate-passage-his- juneteenth-holiday-bill and the second is the below grant for the City of Port Arthur. Sincerely, Jay Guerrero Regional Director SE Texas US Senator John Cornyn O. 713-572-3337 C. 281-630-4550 Notice of Investment Award Title: COVID-19 —Communications Infrastructure Improvement Project DOC Bureau: Economic Development Administration Investment No and Type: 08-79-05480 —Economic Adjustment Assistance Applicant: City of Port Arthur Contact Information: Ronald Burton, City Manager (409) 983-8102; ron.burton@portarthurtx.gov City/County, State: Port Arthur/Jefferson County, TX U.S. Congressional Districts Applicant: 14 Project: 2 EDA Investment Amount: $3,000,000 P.R. No.22017 06/17/2021 M. Essex Page I 6 Total Project Cost: $3,777,000 Anticipated Impact/Outcome: 41 jobs created, 29 jobs saved, and $76.4 million in private investment leveraged. Description: This EDA investment funds the design and construction of a data cabling and fiber optic infrastructure, new electrical service infrastructure and appurtenances in the City of Port Arthur, Texas, a designated Opportunity Zone. The project will provide critical communication infrastructure that will have an economic impact to the City's lagging downtown business district and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, which will lead to strong growth for local industry partners. Once completed,the project will help the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, create and retain jobs, attract private investment, and strengthen the regional economy. The CARES Act provides EDA with$1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent,prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Should you have any questions, please contact EDA at(202) 482-2900.