When creating a CIMS map for a Non-Metro Customized Investment Area made up of counties and parishes, it is important to also select all census tracts within each county or parish. This ensures the Target Market Calculator can properly assess financing activity thresholds (see other questions in the Target Market section for more information on the thresholds).
Organizations proposing a Non-Metro Customized Investment Area must draw the map in CIMS using county or parish boundaries and select each census tract within those areas. This allows the organization to capture Non-Metro Customized Investment Area-directed transactions in the Target Market calculation.
To confirm that at least 85% of the Non-Metro Investment Area geography consists of Investment Area-qualified counties, contact the CDFI Fund via a Service Request before submitting a CDFI Certification Application.