Regional Workforce Impact Program

Ensure a detailed proposal that clearly explains the project, targeted industry, milestones to achieve, population served, and impact to the region.  An application may contain only one project. If an application is submitting multiple projects, they must submit a separate application for each project.  Within the proposal format you will see points awarded to each section. The scoring will be done in 1 point increments up to 3. This scoring will be 1=Did not meet requirements, 2=Meets Requirements, and 3=Exceeds Requirements. To be considered for award, you will need to meet or exceed 20 points overall.  

Describe how this project will meet workforce needs in your region. Explain how the project will increase the capacity of your workforce. Be specific about the workforce capacity building and how you will be able to continue to grow the capacity. 

The budget section must include a line-item narrative that explains the budget breakout. All items must be aligned with the projects categories listed above.  All line items must be supported by a bid/quote/estimate or supporting documentation of how that expense was determined.  

Eligible grant fund expenses:    

• Contracted services specific to the proposed project(s)
• Travel and lodging using current GSA rates (Per Diem Rates | GSA) for participation in hiring/recruitment events (paid to the grant recipient)
• Venue Rental for stakeholder engagement purposes
• Marketing costs that are a part of an implementation project

Ineligible grant fund expenses:    

• Direct payment to individuals. Funds must be paid to a registered organization.
• Current and future operation expenses (including but not limited to salary/fringe, organizational operations, and indirect costs)
  • Note: This grant cannot supplant an existing budget.
• Housing projects
• Administration rate for grant
• Fees incurred preparing and submitting an application (i.e., time, research, grant writing fees, etc.)
• Administrative, personnel and programmatic funding for operations of the lead applicant, program partners, and sub-recipient(s)
• Taxes, except sales taxes on eligible expenses
• Advocacy or lobbying efforts (not eligible for match)
• Programs that propose work stipends or wage subsidies
• Scholarships and scholarship funds
• Rental expenses for applicant entity
• Private sale purchases of approved items (i.e., Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, BisMan Online, garage sale, etc.)
• Incidentals (i.e. Misc. expenses) or indirect costs

NOTE: Some ineligible grant fund expenses may be eligible as match contribution 

The budget narrative is the connection between the line-item budget and the project activities.  

1. Identify total project cost, grant funds requested, match obtained, and/or match pending. Describe what the line items will be used to purchase.
2. Provide a description of the match (equipment donations or discounts, in-kind activities, cash donations) and the private sector entities supplying the match.
3. Describe how the grant funds requested, by line item, relate to the proposed workforce initiative(s)
4. Describe how the match and match provider relate to the proposed workforce initiative(s)
5. Explain any fund-leveraging and activities beyond match   

• All cash match reported must be supported by documentation of the day the cash was received and the related accounting records that show the cash was used for the project.
• Cash match must be applied to the project and must be spent within the grant agreement dates of the project.    

• Match from equipment or supplies donation or discount must include documentation to support valuation of the donated/discounted item(s) at the time of use for the project. The match contributor must describe the item(s), state the value, and explain how the value was determined. The match contributor must sign and date the document containing this information. Note: If the match contributor is unwilling to provide this information, the requestor will contact the Division for assistance in determining an alternate method.
• Donation of equipment or supplies received prior to use for the project will not be eligible as match for this project.   

• In-kind match is defined as temporary use of equipment, space, or personal services. In-kind match can also include, but is not limited to, salary/fringe and/or travel expenses (mileage and lodging).
• Documentation of in-kind match must include a description of the process for determining the value of the services.
• If in-kind match consists of personal service that is provided on a fixed contract amount, the documentation must include the services to be provided, the name of individual(s) providing the services and the time period in which the services are to be provided.
• If the in-kind match consists of personal service that is provided based on an hourly amount, the documentation must include a description of the services provided, the name of individual(s) providing the in-kind personal services, the hourly rate for the service and a time sheet with an hourly log reflecting the time services were provided.
• In-kind space must be valued at market rate for the area. Documentation must include the methodology for determining the rate and proof of rates for the market.   

Review and rating of proposals is conducted by the Workforce Development Division of the Department of Commerce. The Division will work with designated individuals to clarify proposals, verify match requirements, and to ensure completeness.    

• Proposals will be rated by the division
• Project Needs Statement (6 Points)
• Project Description (3 points)
• Partnership and Collaborations (3 points)
• Applicant Capability and Staffing (3 points)
• Outlook and Project Sustainability (9 points)
• Budget Proposal and Narrative (6 points)  

Total Points = 30  

 The Division will recommend funding to the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce. 

The Division will officially notify the grantee of the award by contacting the respective applicant. The notification will include:  

1. Amount awarded.
2. Request that the applicant name an authorized agent as the contact with the division on the specific grant.
3. Request that the grantee not publicize the award, pending a press release by the Department of Commerce first. 

Upon approval of a grant proposal, the division will develop a grant agreement. The division will work with the authorized agent to finalize grant agreement details. 

The budget breakout section of the grant proposal will be inserted into the grant agreement under Section 3, Compensation. Payment of grant funds will be based on the grantee reaching certain milestones.  The payment schedule for funding will be made in accordance as follows:    

• Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total award will be disbursed upon completion of the execution of the grant agreement and successful submission of Request for Funds form
• Twenty-five (25%) of the total award will be disbursed upon reporting and documentation by the grantee showing 75% expenditure of the initial payment.
• Remainder of funds will be provided, upon report and documentation by the awardee after the first milestone described in the application has been met.

All unspent funds must be returned to the State by July 15, 2027. 
 

The Regional Workforce Impact Program is state-funded. The applicant and all organizations receiving grant funds as sub-recipients will be subject to State reporting and auditing requirements with all other applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders. 

1. Performance Reporting  

Performance reporting for the Regional Workforce Impact Program is required under the Common Accountability Measures established by the Division of Workforce Development in compliance with NDCC 54-60-19.2.  The GRANTEE will submit the performance data as requested by the Department of Commerce, Workforce Division Performance Accountability Reporting.  Grantee will send separate notification of delivery (exclusive of data) to the Department of Commerce via email to: ejmoser@nd.gov. The subject line must read: Regional Workforce Impact Program Performance Reporting.

2. Progress Narrative  

Progress Narratives will be required, at minimum, every 6 months from the commencement of the agreement, and with any request for funds disbursement and budget modifications (As outlined in the agreement) . The required information will be sent out with the required documentation form upon approval.  

The progress narrative must include a brief report of implementation progress and basic demographic information, which will include progress on milestones identified in the project proposal description and implementation. The progress narrative must also include a detailed report of expenditures under this grant, including both grant and match funds. (Note:  If it is determined that grant funds have been utilized for ineligible expenses, the Department of Commerce may terminate the grant and seek recoup the misused funds).  Narratives will be sent via email to: ejmoser@nd.gov. The subject line must read: Regional Workforce Impact Progress Narrative ending (date).

3. Expenditure Report/Request for Funds    

Payment of grant funds will be made as outlined, in the signed agreement. Requests for funds will include a clear description and valuation of match received to date. Request for Funds forms will be sent via email to the following email address:  ejmoser@nd.gov.  The subject line must read: Regional Workforce Impact Request for Funds.  

Upon reporting and documentation by the awardee showing 75% expenditures of the initial grant payment, the awardee must include invoices to support proof of match spent, documentation that match item was received, or in-kind applied, as it relates to the project. This will ensure expenditures and match are being applied and tracked accurately. All grant expenditures will be required by May 15, 2027 (45 days prior to the closure of the grant to ensure complete reconciliation and closeout).     

Near the end of the grant agreement, the Division will notify the grantee via letter and or email, that the grant agreement has been closed. This notification signifies the end of the grant agreement and releases the administrator and the grantee from any further obligations under the grant agreement.