Preparing for the CDBG Neighborhood Stabilization Program Interview

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Preparing for the CDBG Neighborhood Stabilization Program Interview

Two to three Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) staff members will interview each applicant meeting the basic thresholds for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP1). All interviews will take place at the State Office Building (301 Centennial Mall South) in Lincoln the week of May 25th, June 1st, and June 8th. Each applicant will receive a hour interview, of which 15 minutes is allotted for the applicant to present their application and 45 minutes is reserved for the DED staff to ask representatives questions.

Applicants should be prepared to present their project in 15 minutes. The 15 minute presentation should include an overview of the project including an identification of the project, where the project will take place, who will be involved, a timeline for the project and how the project will be financed. Applicants are invited to bring any supporting documents that were not originally submitted in the application to share with DED staff during the interview to better explain and present the project.

Helpful Hints To Make The Most Of Your Interview

Address the Criteria: Address all of the criteria in your 15 minute presentation DED is requesting, including the capacity of the community and your partners to be successful in implementation of the project.

Attendance at the Interview: Be sure to invite your local key players in this project to the interview, including the grant writer, project administrator and staff/representatives of the applicant. Those in attendance should bring business cards for distribution to the DED staff.

Be Prepared: All individuals attending the interview should have read and be familiar with the CDBG NSP application. Applicants should have also reviewed the DED and HUD websites, along with the CDBG NSP Statute, the CDBG NSP Final Notice, the CDBG NSP Eligible Use and CDBG NSP1 Application Guidelines.

Introductions: All applicants will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves, including DED staff.

Location: All interviews for the CDBG NSP1 will take place at the State Office Building (301 Centennial Mall South) in Lincoln. Applicants are encouraged to arrive early and plan a sufficient amount of time for parking since space is limited in the downtown area. When interviews are scheduled the applicant will be informed of the appropriate room within the building.

Nametags: Have all in attendance wear nametags with first and last names, as well as the organization(s) they are representing. This helps the DED staff in communicating with community leaders. (DED staff will wear nametags.)

Presentation of Criteria: The DED staff will review the community’s application before the interview. Applicants will be asked to answer a standard set of question and will be asked to address project specific questions generated from the initial review of the application. The applicant should identify in advance who and how questions will be answered.

Stick to the Timeline: The 1-hour time frame will be strictly adhered to in the interview process. Please monitor your 15 minute presentation. Practice your 15 minute presentation prior to your interview. DED Interview Staff will also monitor their 45 minutesfor questions; no applicant will receive more then 45 minutes to address questions.

Stick to the Topic: Applicants will be asked to participant in a 1-hour interview for each CDBG NSP1 application submitted. Interviews most likely will not take place consecutively. When in the interview applicants are reminded to only address questions and discuss the application at hand.

If you have any questions concerning the interview, please contact DED staff at:

(800) 426-6505, (402) 471-3781, or e-mail .

Updated April 21, 2009