USDA Opens Portal
USDA Rural Development has opened its Public Notice Filing (PNF) and Public Notice Response (PNR) Portal for the ReConnect Round 4 Proposed Funded Service Areas. Individuals may now view and respond to any PNF published in the portal. Additionally, the PNF/PNR User Guide and PNF Portal Demo have been posted to assist users in navigating the portal and how to submit a response.
Webinar for Stakeholders: December 13, 2022
The Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) initiative funding is earmarked to implement multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. SECD is a funding opportunity designed to encourage and advance regional community and economic strategic planning.
Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in broadband, businesses, community facilities, infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation.
The FY23 SECD reserve funds programs include:
• Community Connect
• Community Facilities
• Rural Business Development Grants
• Water and Environmental Programs
Participation is encouraged for all stakeholders that support regional community and economic development, strategic planning, and seek funding to assist rural communities in efforts to improve and thrive.
Webinar: December 13, 2022, 11:00 am PT
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of energy and infrastructure.
Grant Opportunities & More
Rural Energy for America Program
The USDA Rural Development provides funding for agriculture producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Eligible entities include agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations and Small businesses in eligible rural areas; communities of less than 50,000. Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as:
• Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels)
• Geothermal for electric generation or direct use
• Hydropower below 30 megawatts
• Hydrogen
• Small and large wind generation
• Small and large solar generation
Application Deadline: March 31, 2023
Rural Energy for America Program
Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs provide economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs. Projects funded by these programs will support the mission of the Department by, among other things, leading to the creation and retention of jobs and increased private investment, advancing innovation, enhancing the manufacturing capacities of regions, providing workforce development opportunities, and growing ecosystems that attract foreign direct investment. EDA solicits applications from applicants in order to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works program and EAA programs.
There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until a new PWEAA NOFO is published, this PWEAA NOFO is cancelled, or all funds have been expended.
Application Deadline: None
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
The Federal Emergency Management Administration’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program guiding principles are supporting communities through capability- and capacity-building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency.
Through BRIC, FEMA continues to invest in a variety of mitigation activities with an added focus on infrastructure projects benefitting disadvantaged communities, nature based solutions, climate resilience and adaption, and adopting hazard resistant building codes.
Subapplicants should check with their respective State Hazard Mitigation Officer or Applicant’s Office on any additional deadlines.
Application Deadline: January 27, 2023
Energy Department Announces $35 Million To Deploy Clean Energy on Tribal Lands and Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings
Under two funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) aimed at unlocking the benefits of clean energy for Native communities, the DOE will award a total of $35 million to Indian Tribes to:
• Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands (DE-FOA-0002774)
• Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings (DE-FOA-0002771)
According to the DOE This funding will promote Tribal energy and economic development by helping Native communities unlock the benefits that come with the deployment of clean energy. The Office of Indian Energy will host informational webinars to provide potential applicants with detailed information on both FOAs. Registration is required.
Application Deadline Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands (DE-FOA-0002774): February 9, 2023 at 2 pm PT
Application Deadline Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings (DE-FOA-0002771): February 23, 2023 at 2 pm PT
Webinar Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands: November 29, 2023, 12 to 2 pm PT
Webinar Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings: December 1, 2022, 12 to 2 pm PT
FO: Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands
FO: Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings
Registration: Webinar Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands
Registration: Webinar Webinar Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings
Grants for Improving Cycling Infrastructure
The Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI) is a competitive grant program that will foster catalytic change in city cycling infrastructure around the world. The Initiative aims to promote this healthy, efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation available. Unfortunately, in too many cities, cycling infrastructure remains disconnected, incomplete, and in need of innovation.
Led in partnership with the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), BICI will:
• Fund ambitious cycling infrastructure projects by providing grants of $400k USD to $1M USD
• Refine project plans by connecting winning cities with world-class technical assistance from GDCI
• Implement projects and track progress by training city leaders on data collection, resident engagement and other industry best practices
• Connect cities with a global network of peer
Application Deadline: February 3, 2023
Grant Opportunity – Department of Transportation
The Thriving Communities Program is focused on three components:
• Main Streets
• Complete Neighborhoods
• Networked Communities
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) invites Letters of Interest from eligible applicants interested in receiving two years of technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support from the Thriving Communities Program (TCP). This step will help applicants compete for federal aid and deliver quality infrastructure projects that enable their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.
Eligibility: Letters of Interest must be submitted by a state, local, or Tribal unit of government or similar. Non-profit Main Street programs can encourage local or state governments to apply and be a part of the local partnership. Applicants must include a lead applicant and at least two community partner organizations.
Letter of Interest Deadline: December 6, 2022
Identifying Disadvantaged Communities
WNDD: Here to Assist Your Community
• Write grant applications for state, federal and other funding.
• Assist grant administrators and internet service providers in verifying the impact of their programs and intended targets in real time without relying on out-of-date historical maps.
• Check if broadband deployments and related grant programs are meeting expectations.
• Identify areas of broadband need and produce design and cost estimates for projects covering fiber, fixed wireless and hybrid options.
• Contribute to more detailed broadband design studies by GEO Partners at the county and city level (future studies).
$1 Million Available Thru HOPE IV Main Street Program
The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) of $1 Million through the HOPE VI Main Street Program.
This grant program provides assistance to smaller communities in the development of affordable housing that is undertaken in connection with a Main Street revitalization effort.
Program Objectives:
• Redevelop central business districts (Main Street areas)
• Preserve historic or traditional Main Street area properties by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units
• Enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas
• Provide affordable housing in Main Street areas
Eligible applicants are limited to Units of General Local Governments with a population of 50,000 or less and 100 or fewer physical housing units within its jurisdiction and who have an existing Main Street rejuvenation project already in progress.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2023
Grant Opportunities and More!
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of rural housing, mobility, rural microlending and more.
Grant Opportunities & More
Manufactured Housing Pilot Program Renewed
The USDA’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program assists low and very low income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability. Payment assistance is a type of subsidy that reduces the mortgage payment for a short time. The amount of assistance for this pilot program is determined by the adjusted family income. Loan funds may be used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities.
Application Deadline: Open until November 4, 2024
Manufactured Housing Pilot Program
FY 2023 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants
Guidelines are now available for EPA grants offered by the Brownfields Program used to address sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum) and petroleum. Assessment provides funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.
Application Deadline: November 22, 2022
Types of EPA Brownfield Grant Funding
Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant
Community Mobility Solutions for Economic Health
The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) recognizes the vital role transportation plays in all activities that support the empowerment of individuals across the board. Yet often community transportation systems lack the resources and/or strategies to provide the level of mobility to residents that they would like to. The 2023 Ready-to-Launch Grants, funded by the Federal Transportation Administration, of up to $75,000 will allow communities to pilot a promising mobility solution, the development of which was inspired and informed by the results of community research. The solution being proposed must be a new idea, not the expansion or continuation of an existing service.
Application Deadline: November 23, 2022
National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)
Want to Give Business a Boost? Learn About the USDA’s Rural Microlending Program
Nonprofits, federally recognized tribes and institutions of higher education are eligible entities to administer the USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program as a Microenterprise Development Organization (MDO). Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural microentrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually. Loans of $50,000 – $500,000 may be used to establish a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the MDO.
Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:
• Working capital
• Debt refinancing
• Purchase equipment and supplies
• Improve real estate
Application Deadline: Open
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
Building Cultural and Community Resilience
The National Endowment for the Humanities Cultural and Community Resilience program supports community-based efforts to mitigate climate change and COVID-19 pandemic impacts, safeguard cultural resources, and foster cultural resilience through identifying, documenting, and/or collecting cultural heritage and community experience. The program prioritizes projects from disadvantaged communities in the United States or its jurisdictions, and NEH encourages applications that employ inclusive methodologies.
Maximum award amount is $150,000.
Application Deadline: January 12, 2023
Building Cultural and Community Resilience
Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), is a vital partner to our member organizations in Grant Research, Writing and Management. Our professional team is available to assist in identifying and obtaining funding sources to grow a stronger Nevada.
Virtual Listening Event: November 3rd & 4th
USDA is seeking public input on how to use Inflation Reduction Act funding to advance clean energy for people in rural America. This commitment to cleaner energy will help USDA Rural Development provide resources to reduce climate pollution and ensure that communities have access to a clean, secure energy supply to keep rural people and economies prepared for the future.
Inflation Reduction Act strives to reduce energy costs for families and create thousands of good-paying jobs for people across rural America.
USDA is hosting two virtual listening sessions to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and other interested parties to submit comments. Tribes and Tribal utilities are invited to join these sessions. USDA will announce a Tribal-specific listening session or consultation in the near future.
Registration is required and the listening sessions will be recorded and made publicly available.
Virtual Session: Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PT
This session is for rural communities, rural small businesses, and agricultural producers including renewable energy generation providers, distribution utilities, transportation fueling facilities, fuel distribution facilities, environmental, community and consumer groups, industry associations, and Federal, state, and local government and agencies.
Friday, November 4, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PT
The Friday session focuses on rural electric cooperatives and related stakeholders as described above.
Interested parties may also submit written comments on or before Monday, November 28, 2022.
