Economic Development Administration Grant

The City of Napa recently secured a $250,000 grant from the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the development of a Napa River Economic Resilience Strategic Plan. This grant will play an integral role in the City's strategic goals as it looks to enhance its economic resiliency by increasing business activity and community engagement along the Napa River.

This grant, which is designated for non-construction projects, is part of the EDA's disaster supplemental funding for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Since the initiation of the Napa River Flood Project in 1998, the City has worked extensively on flood control along the Napa River, and now looks to stimulate economic activity in the area.

The City's proactive approach to applying for and securing the EDA grant highlights its commitment to economic development and environmental sustainability, and showcases the critical role that grants will play in achieving the City's economic goals. The latest grant will provide 76% of the project's $327,725 overall budget. The remaining 24% comes from the City's in-kind contributions in the form of staff time and planning efforts.

The grant application process was made possible through collaboration with key stakeholders. The City partnered with Friends of the Napa River (FONR) on the application and received letters of support from FONR, the Culinary Institute of America at Copia (CIA COPIA), the Oxbow Public Market and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The collaborative work will continue, as the City partners with an outside consultant to outline the specific projects that will formulate the strategic plan in order to align with the City's long-term objectives and meet community needs.

At the heart of this strategic plan is the development of the RiverLine project. The RiverLine is an exciting community-based initiative that aims to create a scenic walkway - primarily in Downtown and the Oxbow region - that will provide unique access to the Napa River waterfront. Prior to the construction of the Oxbow River Bypass and other developing flood wall projects, the riverfront was generally inaccessible and underutilized for economic activity. With increased land access as a result of the recent flood control project, the City looks to the RiverLine project as a crucial opportunity to attract commercial, residential and industrial development. The City first conceptualized the project in 2018; with the additional funding provided by the EDA grant, the City will be able to take tangible steps towards bringing this project to fruition.

As the project progresses, engagement with community members - including Napa residents and businesses - will remain an integral part of the development process. The City is working with a FONR Advisory Committee to ensure an inclusive process that represents the voices and interests of the entire community. The City aims not only to attract economic activity, but to do so in a way that promotes recreational use of the area, prioritizes environmental sustainability and represents the unique culture of Napa. The project will build upon the existing natural beauty of the Napa River to create a regionally unique, vibrant ecosystem in a previously unutilized area.

Grants such as the EDA grant can serve as a fundamental means of achieving the City's forward-thinking vision. As Napa experiences continued growth and climate pressures, the City of Napa looks to be a responsible steward of a bright future for the Napa River waterfront. Through this project, the Napa River will serve as a regionally unique hub for both community members and visitors to enjoy an exciting array of businesses, cultural offerings and recreational activities.