Audit 370110

FY End
2024-12-31
Total Expended
$20.25M
Findings
2
Programs
7
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-09-30
Auditor: Cohnreznick LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Contacts

Name Title Type
X3J4ZFLNKKM9 Daniel Choi Auditee
2126821106 Joseph Arnone Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards ("Schedule") includes the federal award activity of Grow America and its Controlled Affiliates (the "Organization"), under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2024. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards ("Uniform Guidance"). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Organization, it is not intended to and does not present the consolidated and combined financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Organization. All financial assistance received directly from the federal agencies as well as financial assistance passed through other governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations is included on the Schedule.
The Organization received two Economic Development Assistance ("EDA") Revolving Loan Fund ("RLF") grants in 2020 - one for $770,000, with no match, of which $70,000 is authorized as an administrative component and the second for $3,850,000 with a $962,500 match, of which $437,500 is authorized as an administrative component (see components below). In 2021, the Organization received an additional RLF grant from the EDA in the amount of $2,750,000 with a $687,500 match, of which $312,500 is authorized as an administrative component. In 2022, the Organization received an additional RLF grant from the EDA in the amount of $1,592,000. The purpose of that grant is focused on growing and strengthening EDA-Funded RLFs but the Organization is not required to use the funding to make loans. From inception of the contract through December 31, 2024, the Organization received $770,000, $3,850,000, and $1,543,500, respectively, from the EDA for contract award numbers 07-79-07573, 07-79-07633 and 07-79-07658, of which $0; $0; and $83,278, respectively, were unspent. As such these amounts were not included in the amounts reported on the Schedule. See the Notes to the SEFA for chart/table.

Finding Details

Finding No. 2024-001 - Procurement, Suspension and Debarment - Significant Deficiency Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: COVID-19: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Not available Name of Pass-through Entity (if applicable): City of Irving Criteria In accordance with §200.214 and §180.300, nonfederal entities cannot enter into awards, subawards, or contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in federal assistance programs or activities. Condition During our testing, we noted that the Organization did not provide adequate supporting documentation for ensuring proper suspension and debarment checks were performed. Cause The Organization did not have adequate policies, procedures, and controls in place to ensure compliance with the suspension and debarment requirements. Effect or Potential Effect Failure to timely verify that a recipient is not suspended or debarred could result in the Organization funding a person or entity that is barred from performing work for the U.S. government. Questioned Costs N/A Context For 3 suspension and debarment samples out of a total of 25 tested, management did not provide adequate supporting documentation for ensuring proper suspension and debarment checks were performed. None of the 3 samples were suspended or debarred. Identification as a Repeat Finding This finding is a repeat finding, see prior year finding number: 2023-002. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization establish written suspension and debarment policies and procedures to ensure that the Organization is in compliance with the Uniform Guidance and that all staff are trained on this policy to ensure compliance and related internal controls over compliance are operating effectively. Views of Responsible Officials We will incorporate procedures in our grant compliance and administration policies and procedures that include appropriate searches for suspension and debarment prior to executing any financial transactions with covered persons
Finding No. 2024-002 - Reporting - Significant Deficiency Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: COVID-19: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Not available Name of Pass-through Entity (if applicable): Nassau County Criteria In accordance with §200.300, nonfederal entities are responsible for complying with all requirements of the Federal award. The Memorandum of Understanding between Nassau County and the Organization requires management to submit quarterly financial and performance reports. Condition During our testing, we noted that the Organization did not provide the one of the required quarterly reports to the Nassau County. Cause The Organization did not have adequate policies, procedures, and controls in place to ensure compliance with the requirements regarding reporting. Effect or Potential Effect Failure to comply with the reporting requirements of the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance with laws and regulations. Questioned Costs None Context For 1 report samples out of a total of 14 tested, management did not submit the required reports. Identification as a Repeat Finding This finding is a repeating, see prior year finding number: 2023-003. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization establish policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that the required information is submitted on a timely basis. Views of Responsible Officials We will incorporate procedures in our grant compliance and administration policies and procedures that include a review and understanding of the reporting requirements