(a)
In general— The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (
42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 207 the following:
“208. Predevelopment
“(a) Predevelopment grants—On the application of an eligible recipient, the Secretary may make grants or cooperative agreements for—
“(1) community asset mapping;
“(2) training;
“(3) technical assistance and organizational development;
“(4) feasibility, environmental, and market studies;
“(5) demonstration projects;
“(6) organizational capacity building;
“(7) organizing and facilitating convenings;
“(8) site preparation and infrastructure;
“(9) permitting, including professional services; and
“(10) other predevelopment activities determined by the Secretary to be appropriate.
“(b) Application assistance—In the case of a project under this section that provides assistance to 1 or more eligible entities with low organizational capacity, the Secretary may waive the provision in section 213 prohibiting the use of assistance made under this title in connection with obtaining grants under this title.”
(b)
Clerical amendment— The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (
42 U.S.C. 3121 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 207 the following:
(c)
Grant rate for predevelopment grants— Section 204(c)(3) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (
42 U.S.C. 3144(c)(3)) is
amended—
(1)
in the heading by striking “and technical assistance” and inserting “, technical assistance, and predevelopment”; and
(2)
by striking “section 207” and inserting “sections 207 and 208”.
(d)
Conforming amendments—
(1)
University center— Section 3(12) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (
42 U.S.C. 3122(12)) is amended by striking “section 207(a)(2)(D)” and inserting “section 207(c)”.
(2)
Direct expenditure or redistribution by recipient— Section 217(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (
42 U.S.C. 3154c(a)) is amended by striking “or 207” and inserting “207, or 208”.
(3)
Powers of Secretary— Section 601(a)(12) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 is amended by striking “section 207” and inserting “sections 207 and 208”.