WNDD Announces New Executive Director!

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Christine Brandon Selected to Lead Organization

Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) announced that after a national search, the Board has selected Christine Brandon as the organization’s new Executive Director. Brandon, a long time Carson City resident, was appointed to her new role on May 24, 2022.

“Brandon’s credentials, experience and personality make her an excellent leader for WNDD. We are confident she will bring great energy, innovation and strategic direction as WNDD continues to assist our region in creating vibrant, resilient and sustainable economies,” said Naomi Duerr, President of the Board.

Brandon has unique and varied experience in the areas of: economic development, engineering, project and program management, and leadership of non-profit organizations. In her previous position as instructor at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, she developed youth programming and managed grant funding. Prior to the university, she was acting Executive Director of a local non-profit. Notably, she served as Board Member on the City of Arlington’s Industrial Development Board. Here she was responsible for encouraging and attracting industrial development, and collaborated with various organizations to entice new businesses through tax incentives, special permitting and government lease programs.

Brandon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. After obtaining her degree, she worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers where she presided over the environmental cleanup of hazard waste sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense.

She hopes to draw on her extensive experience to support programming focused on improving much needed infrastructure, attracting new businesses and promoting economic resilience and vitality.

Brandon had this to say about her new role, “As the new Executive Director of WNDD, my goal is to bring my diverse background to help the Board of WNDD solve regional infrastructure and economic resiliency issues through creative approaches. I am very excited to serve the members of the Board and communities in Western Nevada and look forward to supporting positive change.”

Sheryl Gonzales, retiring WNDD Executive Director stated, “We are excited to welcome Christine Brandon as our incoming Executive Director and know she will do an outstanding job in her new position.”

More Participation Needed! Take the WNDD Speed Test

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In the News: KOLO Explores the Nevada Speed Test

KOLO Reporter, Terri Russell explores why Northern Nevadans need to take the Nevada Speed Test.

The Nevada Speed Test is hosted by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) and is part of the Western Nevada Broadband Initiative, a network of public and private partners working to expand internet access and build a stronger digital infrastructure in urban and rural communities across the WNDD region.

“Higher internet speeds really lead to better economic wellbeing, higher incomes and lower unemployment rates,” says Lisa Granahan, Douglas County Economic Vitality Manager and WNDD Board Member.

Mapping results from participation will aid in identifying underserved communities as well as bring neighborhoods and communities up to the best service possible by applying for grants and other federal dollars.

KOLO Video

Mark Your Calendars – Sustainable Disaster Recovery Panel Discussion

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Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Have you wondered what happened to small cities after a catastrophic event?
Or, how redeveloped industrial properties can make an economic difference in communities?

Learn how:
Greensburg, Kansas rebounded after an EF-5 tornado
Puerto Rico is managing recovery after Hurricanes Maria and Irma
And, more…

Listen to the Panel Discussion from experts with first-hand knowledge of these experiences.

Panel Includes:
• David Doyle, Region 7
• Carmen Guerrero, Region 2
• Elliott Laws, Administrative Trustee, RACER Trust and former EPA Assistant Administrator

Register Today!

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities May 6, 2022

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Collected by the Western Nevada Development District

Curated by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), this Friday round up, focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of business incubators, housing, agriculture, infrastructure and, rural Micro-entrepreneurs and Micro-enterprises.

Grant Opportunities

Department of the Interior – Bureau of Indian Affairs – Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP):

The Secretary of the Interior, through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), Division of Economic Development (DED), solicits proposals from eligible applicants to receive competitive grants to establish and operate business incubators that serve Tribal reservation communities. These grants will provide individually tailored business incubation and other business services to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to overcome the unique obstacles they confront and provide tools necessary to start and grow businesses that offer products and services to reservation communities.

Application Deadline: June 17, 2022

IBIP

Housing Assistance Council (HAC) – Affordable Housing Loans for Low-Income Rural Communities

Housing Assistance Council (HAC) provides short-term loans at below market interest rates to local nonprofits, for-profits, and government entities that are working to develop affordable housing for low-income, rural communities.

HAC loans may be used for:

• Pre-development
• Acquisition
• Construction
• Self-help housing; and/or Preservation

Standard loan terms are up to five years, with an interest rate of 5% for non-profits and 8% for- profits. Longer terms are available depending on the type of project such as preservation.

Nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply for grants to provide technical and cooperative development assistance to individuals and rural businesses.

Application Deadline: Accepted Continuously

HAC

Rural Health Information Hub

 

USDA Rural Development – US Department of Agriculture – Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Eligible borrowers include:
• Public bodies
• Community-based non-profit corporations
• Federally-recognized Tribes
Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Essential community facilities include:
• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses

Application Deadline: Accepted Continuously

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program

USDA Rural Development – US Department of Agriculture – Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)

The RMAP supports the development and ongoing success of rural Microentrepreneurs and Microenterprises. RMAP provides direct loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDO).

Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
• Provide microloans for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs

Application Deadline: June 30, 2022

RMAP Grant Program

GOING FAST….

Agricultural Marketing Service – Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)

LFPP funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

The program focuses on:
• Supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products that are marketed locally or regionally, including value-added agricultural products
• Encouraging the development of value-added agricultural products
• Assisting with business development plans and feasibility studies
• Developing marketing strategies for producers of local food products and value-added agricultural products in new and existing markets
• Facilitating regional food chain coordination and mid-tier value chain development
• Promoting new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste
• Responding to changing technology needs in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing
• Covering expenses related to cost incurred in obtaining food safety certification and improvements to food safety practices and equipment

Application Deadline: May 16, 2022

LFPP Grant