PURPOSE: A neighborhood organization, as named in section 32.105, RSMo, may submit a proposal for a neighborhood project. Any business entity authorized to do business in Missouri is eligible to submit a proposal. This rule establishes the procedures for submitting proposals and the criteria and priorities for the approval or disapproval of those proposals.

1. (1) A proposal is defined as an act of putting forward a proposed program by a business firm, or neighborhood organization, or both, for carrying out a specific project consistent with the Neighborhood Assistance Act.
2. (2) All proposals shall be made on the forms supplied by the Department of Economic Development. The department may request any additional information it determines necessary to evaluate a proposal or plan.
3. (3) Neighborhood assistance projects may be approved for a period of up to three (3) years at the discretion of the director of the Department of Economic Development.
4. (4) An annual application deadline will be determined by the Department of Economic Development and application materials will be distributed upon request no less than sixty
5. (60) days prior to the actual application deadline. Proposals submitted under the economic development project category can be submitted at any time.
6. (5) Facsimile copies of applications will not be accepted.
7. (6) All proposals are to be submitted to the central Neighborhood Assistance Program office located in Jefferson City.
8. (7) The director of the department shall reply promptly with acknowledgement of receipt of the proposal submitted.

9. (8) All proposals must address at least one (1) of the following priorities in order to qualify for approval:

   1. (A) The project substantially contributes to self-help efforts by residents of the neighborhood to be served in addressing locally defined objectives;
   2. (B) The project will result in the provision of essential services to low and moderate income persons which would not otherwise be provided in the affected neighborhood and for which there are no other resources available; or
   3. (C) The project tangibly contributes to the development of lasting cooperation and partnership efforts of neighborhood organizations and businesses.

10. (9) Approval or disapproval of proposals shall be based on the following criteria:

    1. (A) The director of the Division of Community and Economic Development must certify an area as experiencing problems endangering its existence as a viable and stable neighborhood to be eligible for assistance;
    2. (B) The business or neighborhood organization submitting the proposal must demonstrate its capacity to adequately administer the project;
    3. (C) There must be a demonstrated need for the program in the neighborhood area within which the project is to be carried out;
    4. (D) The proposal must demonstrate that residents of the affected neighborhood area have been involved in the planning of the proposed project and describe the extent to which they will be involved in its implementation;
    5. (E) The proposal must be consistent with all locally-approved community or neighborhood development plans for the area; and
    6. (F) Proposals submitted subsequent to the first year will be evaluated on performance of the first year project, other resources developed, continued need and potential for eventual self-sufficiency.

11. (10) In no case shall a project be approved that does not have a written endorsement of the local public authority.

    1. (11) The maximum amount of credits allowed per project is five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

12. (12) Applicants who have a complaint concerning the disposition of their proposal shall make their complaint to the director according to the following procedure:

    1. (A) The complaint must be filed within ten

13. (10) days after receipt of notice by mail to the applicant of the disposition of the director; 4 CSR 85-2

    1. (B) The complaint shall state the name of the applicant, the disposition of the director of which the applicant complains and a brief statement of the facts and reasons upon which the complaint is based;
    2. (C) The complaint shall be signed by the chief administrative officer of the complaining applicant;
    3. (D) If a complaint is filed requesting a hearing, the department will set a date for an informal hearing and notify the applicant of the date at least ten (10) days before the hearing. The department shall begin the hearing not more than thirty (30) days after the last day for requesting a hearing;
    4. (E) The hearing will be informal but conducted with dignity and decorum. The hearing shall begin with a statement by the department of the basis of the director’s determination of which complaint has been made. After that, the applicant shall state the complaint and present to the department facts and arguments as are relevant to the complaint; and
    5. (F) Within ten (10) days after the completion of the hearing, the director shall notify the applicant of the determination, setting forth in writing the particular facts and conclusions upon which the determination is premised. If, as a result of any hearing, the director finds the original determination incorrect, the director shall correct the determination and notify the applicant immediately following determination of the complaint.

AUTHORITY: section 32.110, RSMo Supp. 1990.* Original rule filed Jan. 10, 1978, effective April 13, 1978. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Sept. 7, 1980, effective Feb. 10, 1981. Amended: Filed Sept. 14, 1982, effective Dec. 11, 1982. Amended: Filed Dec. 5, 1988, effective Feb. 24, 1989. Amended: Filed Jan. 3, 1992, effective Aug. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed Dec. 10, 1993, effective July 10, 1994. *Original authority: 32.110, RSMo 1977, amended 1980, 1989, 1990.