ECHO Mandatory Grants-In-Aid Workshop Thursday April 23, 2026

The County of Volusia held the 2026 ECHO Mandatory Grants-In-Aid Workshop on April 23, 2026, to discuss updates and procedures related to the ECHO grant program. Key procurement-related topics included the increase of the grant cap from $600,000 to $2.5 million per project, with a higher facility lifetime cap of $5 million. The workshop detailed eligibility criteria, application requirements, and the new online submission system via Experience Cloud. Staff emphasized the importance of complete and detailed applications, including 100% complete architectural and engineering drawings, and clarified that the grant is reimbursable, requiring applicants to pay upfront and submit reimbursement requests quarterly. The timeline for the grant cycle was outlined, with technical applications due June 11, final submissions by July 16, site tours and scoring in August, and final council approval expected in October. The program also introduced operational changes such as calendar-year reporting and delegated budget change approvals up to 20% by staff. Attendees were encouraged to use staff support throughout the application process and to utilize the new digital tools for communication and document submission. The workshop also addressed questions about project eligibility, match funding, signage requirements, and long-term compliance obligations under a 20-year restrictive covenant.