Commercial District Revitalization Prescreen Guide

For the Renew NC Commercial District Revitalization Program

A how-to guide for accessing and completing a prescreen for the Renew NC Commercial District Revitalization Program.

Please note: the prescreen is not a program application. The prescreen provides an opportunity for potential applicants, such as local governments or nonprofit organizations, to prepare for the upcoming program application launch of the Commercial District Revitalization (CDR) Program. While not required, prescreening is strongly encouraged.

Prescreening Process Guide

  • 1

    Access the Renew NC Grant Portal

    Sign in to your Renew NC Grant Portal account. 

    New users must register for an account.

    Sign In to the Portal

  • 2

    Start a Prescreen

    Upon logging in, the participant dashboard will become visible, including a list of the program(s) available for new prescreens. 

    1. Select “Start Application” next to the program that you would like to complete a prescreen for.  
    2. In the pop-up window that appears, enter in the case name using the format suggested ‘Organization Name – Project Name’.
    3. Select “Start Application” to begin the prescreening process.
    4. Select “Click here to continue” to move on to complete the prescreen for your potential project.

    Please note:

    • Prescreening participants must create a new prescreen for each separate project they wish to submit.  
    • Multiple projects may not be combined or submitted under a single prescreen.  
    • If you are applying for funding for more than one project, repeat the prescreen process and complete a separate prescreening for each project. 
  • 3

    Prescreen Overview

    The Prescreen Overview page provides background information about the selected program's prescreen and allows potential applicants to indicate whether they wish to participate.

    The prescreen process is optional and is intended to help begin project planning and receive early technical assistance before submitting a formal application. 

    Select a Prescreen Participation Decision:

    1. Under “Please select your prescreen participation decision,” choose one of the following options from the dropdown menu:
      • I am electing to participate in the prescreen process. Select this option to proceed with the prescreen questions and provide preliminary project information.
      • I am electing NOT to participate in the prescreen process. Select this option if you do not wish to complete the prescreen at this time.
    2. Save and Continue
      • Select "Save" to store your selection, or
      • Select "Start Prescreen" to continue to the next section of the prescreen process. 
  • 4

    Applicant Information

    The PS. Applicant Information section collects basic information about the applicant organization and primary contact. All required fields must be completed before continuing. 

    Enter the following information as prompted on the screen:

    Legal Entity

    • A.1 Legal Name of Applicant Entity – Enter the full legal name of the organization.
    • A.2 Type of Entity – Select Local Government or Nonprofit Organization.
    • A.3 Mailing Address – Enter the organization’s mailing address.
    • A.4 Active SAM.gov Registration – Select Yes or No.
    • A.5 FEIN – Enter the organization’s Federal Employer Identification Number.
    • A.6 Authorized Officer and Primary Signatory – Enter the name and title of the individual authorized to sign on behalf of the organization.
    • Signature Authority Document/Form – Upload the required document, if applicable.

    Primary Contact

    • A.7 Primary Contact Name – Enter the primary point of contact.
    • A.8 Primary Contact Title – Enter the contact’s title.
    • A.9 Primary Contact Phone Number – Enter a valid phone number.
    • A.10 Primary Contact Email – Enter a valid email address. 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Applicant Information in the left-hand navigation menu. 

    Note: Applicants may use the left-hand menu to navigate back and forth between sections at any time. Completed sections remain editable unless the prescreen has been submitted. 

  • 5

    Project Information

    The PS. Project Information section collects basic details about the proposed project, including location, scope, cost estimates, and disaster relevance.

    Enter the following information as prompted on the screen.

    Project Information

    • B.1 Project Title – Enter a descriptive project title.
    • B.2 Project Location Address – Enter the physical location of the proposed project.
    • B.3 Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) Area – Select the applicable MID Area from the dropdown menu.
    • B.4 Floodplain or Floodway – Indicate whether the project is located in a 100-year floodplain or floodway.
    • B.5 Project Description – Describe the proposed project activities and physical scope of work.
    • Map of Project Area – Upload a map showing the project location (required).
    • B.6 Tenant Relocation – Indicate whether any residential or commercial tenants will need to relocate during project activities.
    • B.7 Acquisition – Indicate whether property acquisition is part of the project.
    • B.8 Estimated Total Project Cost – Enter a rounded estimate of the total project cost.
    • B.9 Estimated Funding Gap – Enter the estimated funding gap that CDBG-DR funds could fill.
    • B.10 FEMA or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Funding – Indicate whether the project is eligible for or has applied for FEMA-PA or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding.
    • B.11 Hurricane Helene Damage – Indicate whether the project addresses damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
    • B.12 Jobs Impact – Briefly describe whether jobs would be created or retained and how the project relates to Hurricane Helene impacts.

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Project Information in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 6

    Federal Assistance

    The PS. Federal Assistance section collects information about disaster-related financial assistance associated with the proposed project. 

    For each assistance source listed below, select Yes or No as prompted.

    FEMA

    • C.1 Disaster Assistance from FEMA – Indicate whether you received disaster-related assistance from FEMA for Hurricane Helene.
      • If Yes, complete the additional FEMA fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Amount approved
        • Amount received to date
        • FEMA Registration Number(s)
        • Upload the FEMA Award/Denial Letter (required)
      • If No, no additional FEMA information is required.

    Small Business Administration (SBA)

    • C.2 Disaster Assistance from SBA – Indicate whether you received disaster-related assistance from the SBA.
      • If Yes, complete the additional SBA fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Amount approved
        • Amount received to date
        • SBA Application Number
        • SBA Loan Number(s)
        • Loan status
        • Upload the SBA Award/Denial Letter (required)
      • If No, no additional SBA information is required.

    National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

    • C.3 Flood Insurance Coverage – Indicate whether you had National Flood Insurance at the time of the disaster.
      • If Yes, complete the additional NFIP fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Insurance company name
        • Upload the Flood Policy (required)
        • Indicate whether a claim was filed
      • If No, no additional NFIP information is required. 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Federal Assistance in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 7

    Other Assistance

    The PS. Other Assistance section collects information about additional insurance or financial assistance related to the proposed project. 

    For each assistance category below, select Yes or No as prompted.

    Property Insurance

    • D.1 Property Insurance Coverage – Indicate whether you had property insurance at the time of the disaster.
      • If Yes, complete the additional property insurance fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Insurance company name
        • Upload Homeowner’s Insurance documentation
        • Indicate whether a claim was filed
      • If No, no additional property insurance information is required.

    State of North Carolina Assistance

    • D.2 State Disaster Assistance – Indicate whether you received disaster assistance from the State of North Carolina.
      • If Yes, complete the additional state assistance fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Source of assistance
        • Amount approved
        • Amount received to date
        • State program name
        • Upload the State of North Carolina award/denial letter (required)
      • If No, no additional state assistance information is required.

    Other Financial Assistance

    • D.3 Other Financial Assistance – Indicate whether you received any other financial assistance for work performed on the proposed project.
      • If Yes, complete the additional fields displayed on the screen, including:
        • Type of assistance
        • Organization providing assistance
        • Amount received to date
        • Upload Other Assistance Supporting Documents
      • If No, no additional information is required. 

    Save and Continue

    • Select "Save" to store your entries and return later, or
    • Select "Complete and Continue" to proceed to the next section of the prescreen.

    Once all required fields in this section are completed, a check mark will appear next to PS. Other Assistance in the left-hand navigation menu. 

  • 8

    Prescreen Submit

    The Prescreen Submit section is the final step to review, certify, and submit the completed prescreen. 

    Review Completion Status

    Before submitting, confirm that all prescreen sections display a green check mark in the left-hand navigation menu.

    • A green check mark indicates the section is complete.
    • A gray or missing check mark indicates required information or documents are still missing in that section.

    If the Prescreen Submit button is inactive or unavailable, review each section to locate and complete any missing fields or uploads.

    Participants may select any section in the left-hand menu to review or update information prior to submission. 

    Certification and Electronic Signature

    To proceed with submission: 

    1. Select the checkbox to certify that the information provided in the prescreen is true and complete to the best of the signer’s knowledge.
    2. Under Authorized Signature, select "Click here to electronically sign."
    3. Enter the signer's full name as prompted.
    4. Select "Sign" to apply the electronic signature.

    Once the signature is successfully completed, the signer's name is displayed under Authorized Signature. 

    A confirmation message appears indicating the email address of the signer and the date and time the prescreen was electronically signed. 

    Submit the Prescreen

    1. Select "Prescreen Submit."
    2. A confirmation window will appear with a message explaining that once the prescreen is submitted, no additional edits can be made unless the application is re-opened by a Program Administrator.
    3. Participants must choose one of the following options:
      • Cancel – Returns you to the Prescreen Submit page without submitting. The application remains editable.
      • Proceed – Confirms submission and formally submits the completed prescreen. 

    After selecting "Proceed" on the submission confirmation window, the system displays the Application Submitted screen. 

  • 9

    After Prescreen Submission

    After you submit your prescreen, you can:

    • Review your submitted application by selecting any section in the left-hand navigation menu.
    • Use Print Application to download or print a copy for your records.
      • Select "Print Application" from the left-hand panel.
      • This will generate a printable version of your submitted application, downloaded to your browser. 

    Please note:

    • Submitted applications are read-only and cannot be edited.
    • Changes can only be made if the application is re-opened by a Program Administrator.
    • No additional action is required from the applicant unless contacted by the program. 
  • 10

    Adding Users to Your Account

    Participants may add additional users to an application to allow others to view and make changes while the prescreen is in progress.

    View Current Users

    1. In the left-hand panel, select "View Users."
    2. The Users screen displays the email addresses of all users who currently have access to the prescreen.
    3. All listed users are able to view prescreen information and make changes.

    Add a User

    1. In the left-hand panel, select "View Users."
    2. On the Users screen, select "Add a User."
    3. Enter the email address of the user you want to add.
    4. Select "Save."
    5. Once added, the user will have access to the application and can view and update information. 

    Please note:

    • Users added to the prescreen can view and make changes to prescreen data.
    • Users may be added before the prescreen is submitted.
    • After submission, the application becomes read-only unless it is re-opened by a Program Administrator.
    • The "View Users" option is available from the left-hand panel at any time.