skip to content
content

Gem Community Assistance Program

Welcome to the new Gem Community Fall 2008 Program! This Program has been re-designed to meet priority, project directed technical assistance and training needs. Communities with populations of 10,000 or less are targeted for this assistance.

During this initial stage, we are offering technical assistance and training to six rural community projects, one in each planning region of the state.  Communities will be selected through a competitive, but simplified application process. To download the flyer, please click below. 

Gem Community Program Flyer

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • Communities that need specific training or technical assistance to complete a priority project
  • Communities that have had a Community Review or other community assessment and need technical assistance or training or implement recommendations from that review or assessment
  • Communities that want to develop or reactivate a local development organization to enable them to plan and implement local priority projects
  • Communities that want to collaborate with another community, communities or region on a project that has mutual development benefits
  • Communities that request a mock prospect visit or other simulation training to prepare them for the next step in their development process


When are Applications Due?

Applications for Planning Regions I, II, and III are due March 18, 2009.

Applications for Regions IV, V and VI are due March 18, 2009.

Applicants will be notified within 15 working days of their status.

What is the Application Process?

Applications can be downloaded here online, and can be submitted by email or conventional mail to:

Gloria Mabbutt or Randy Shroll at:
Idaho Department of Commerce
Economic Development Division
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID
83720-0093

A Commerce Project Assessment Team will review each application based on need, impact, benefit and the community's commitiment to a working dynamic partnership, as well as other criteria.  The review will include a determination if the assistance is more suited to Commerce, other service providers, or a combination of both.



Why Apply?

Benefits of the Gem Community Assistance Program include:

  • Opportunities to identify, recruit and train new leaders and volunteers;
  • Training can re-energize existing leaders;
  • Learning new techniques and strategies for planning and implementation will enhance the community's competitiveness when applying for grants;
  • Participating individuals qualify for tuition scholarships to the Northwest Community Development Institute (NWCDI). Value is at $550 for each scholarship;
  • Participating communities will qualify to compete for a "Best Practices Award". If selected, a community may compete for a NWCDI scholarship and paid lodging to attend the program (July 20-24, 2009 in Boise, value over $1,000). If the winning community can pay for the lodging, two scholarships will be provided to the community;
  • Participating communities may be eligible for a $350 Peer to Peer Program grant. Go to www.community.idaho.gov