About the IMCP Designation
IMCP Projects
IMCP Consortium
Grants & Funding Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
About the IMCP Designation
In July 2015, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) as one of twelve designees in the second round of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative. Led by the U.S. Department of Commerce, IMCP is a multi-agency program designed to leverage economic development funds and accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing nationwide by supporting the development of long-term economic development strategies.
MadREP applied for IMCP designation in the Agriculture, Food, and Beverage (AFB) manufacturing sector — an industry in which the region boasts historical, locational, and infrastructural advantages. The IMCP region includes the eight-county Madison Region, augmented by six partner counties in southcentral and southwestern Wisconsin. Thirty industry-specific projects were included in the application.
As an IMCP designee, MadREP and its partners receive coordinated support over a two-year term to navigate federal resources from dedicated liaisons at eleven federal agencies, which combined have over $1 billion available in economic development assistance. Designees also receive branding and promotion as a Manufacturing Community to help attract private investment and partnerships. MadREP is now one of just twenty-four IMCP designees in the nation.
- Read MadREP’s full announcement from July 9, 2015.
- Read U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker’s IMCP announcement from July 8, 2015, at the U.S. Manufacturing Summit.
IMCP Projects
MadREP’s IMCP application and comprehensive strategy included 30 projects, spanning workforce and training, supplier network, infrastructure/site development, research and innovation, trade and international investment, and operational improvement and capital access. Combined, these projects represent 85 partners, $120 million in capital expenditures, and $1.2 billion in potential economic impact over 10 years.
Additional projects not originally included in the IMCP application can and should be shared with MadREP for review and potential inclusion in the initiative. Contact MadREP at 608.571.0420.
- View the 30 projects included in MadREP’s IMCP application.
IMCP Consortium
MadREP has formed an AFB Consortium of 85 partners who have committed to moving the industry forward through implementation of the 30 projects included in the application. The consortium includes partners representing the state, education, capital, workforce development, economic development organizations, utilities, food processing, and local foods.
- View the AFB Consortium graphic.
- View the IMCP Memorandum of Understanding.
- View the partner organizations that signed the IMCP Memorandum of Understanding.
Grants & Funding Opportunities
Please view this list of current IMCP-eligible grants for information on potential funding opportunities. This list is a work-in-progress that will be continually updated as federal agencies share more information on how their programs engage and support IMCP communities.
We will also highlight specific opportunities here:
EDA Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program
Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce
Deadline: Applications accepted on a continuous basis
The U.S. Department of commerce will assist eligible recipients in creating regional economic development plans designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. View more information.
Economic Development Assistance Programs – Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance
Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce
Deadline: Applications accepted on a continuous basis
The U.S. Department of Commerce solicits applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under Economic Development Assistance‘s (EDA) Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive- merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. View more information.
Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program
Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce
Deadline: Applications accepted on a continuous basis
The U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration assists eligible recipients in creating regional economic development plans designed to stimulate and guide the economic development efforts of a community or region. View more information.
Broadband Program
Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Deadline: Applications accepted on a continuous basis
The Broadband ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. View more information.
Farm Loan Program
Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Deadline: Applications accepted on a continuous basis
The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Farm Service Program provides loans for the purchase of renewable energy systems, and energy improvements, including: solar PV, solar thermal, wind, anaerobic digester, geothermal, energy efficiency such as lights, fans, equipment, coolers, thermal curtains. View more information.
Rural Energy for America Program – Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Deadline: Guaranteed loan funds are available year round
The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption in order to meet the nation’s critical energy needs. View more information.
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program
Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation
Deadline: Applications accepted on a continuous basis
The U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration provides federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit to finance surface transportation projects of national and regional significance. Many surface transportation projects – highway, transit, railroad, intermodal freight, and port access – are eligible for assistance. View more information.
Q: What role does MadREP play in the preparation of federal grants for individual IMCP projects?
A: MadREP’s role will vary from project to project. In different cases, MadREP will serve as facilitator, author, editor, and/or submitter. Universities and colleges will submit their own applications through their sponsored program’s department.
Q: What are the other IMCP regions across the country?
A: The first cohort of IMCP designees (awarded in May 2014) include: Southwest Alabama, Chicago, Northwest Georgia, South Kansas, Southeast Michigan, Milwaukee 7, Portland (Maine), Puget Sound, Greater Rochester, Southwestern Ohio Aerospace Region, Southern California, and the Tennessee Valley.
The second cohort of IMCP designees (awarded in July 2015) include: Greater Pittsburgh, Alamo Region, South Louisiana, Madison Region, Mid-South Manufacturing Alliance, Greater Peoria, Minnesota Medical Manufacturing Partnership, South Central Idaho, Wasatch Front (Utah), Pacific Northwest Partnership, Hartford Region, Central Valley AgPlus Consortium (California).
Additional questions can be submitted to MadREP at 608.571.0420.
