*Community, Economic and Workforce Development*

*Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Funding Stays Level*: The
omnibus includes level funding of $3 billion for CDBG in FY 2016, matching
FY 2015 appropriations. NACo advocated for at least this amount in FY 2016.
CDBG provides funding to state and localities to assist with community and
economic development, and water and infrastructure projects based on local
needs.

*HOME Investments Partnership (HOME) Program Increased*: Congress provides
a $50 million increase for the HOME program in the omnibus, and funded HOME
at $950 million for FY 2016. This is significant because NACo fought
efforts to reduce the program funding to $66 million (the initial request
in the FY 2016 Senate appropriations bill). The HOME program provides
states and localities with funding to support housing opportunities for
extremely low income families.

*Economic Development Administration (EDA) Funding Increased: *The omnibus
includes $261 million for EDA in FY 2016, an increase of $10 million over
FY 2015. EDA provides grants and assistance to spur private sector job
creation and economic development in local communities. The agreement also
provides $15 million in assistance to coal communities. NACo has been
partnering with EDA on assisting counties that have been negatively
impacted by contractions in the coal industry.

*Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Programs Extended:
*The Employment and Training Administration is funded at $10.1 billion in
the omnibus. The WIOA Title 1 programs are funded at $2.7 billion for FY
2016. This is nearly a $100 million increase over FY 2015 levels. WIOA
Title I programs provide funding to states and local governments to assist
with employment, education and training opportunities for adults and youth.
The following funding levels for Title I programs were included in the
omnibus for FY 2016:

– WIOA Adults: $815.56 million
– WIOA Youth: $873.42 million
– WIOA Dislocated Workers: $1.02 billion

*EB-5 Visa Program Extended through for Year: *Congress approved an
extension of the EB-5 Regional Center program through September 2016 in the
omnibus. The EB-5 program funds visas for foreigners who provide at least
$1 million or $500,000 in funding to targeted employment areas (TEAs) for
investment in state and local economic development projects and job
creation.