Five for Friday: September 20, 2024

Five for Friday: 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 grant tools and resources, the arts, technology, healthy food, and recreation.

Grant Opportunities & More

OFA Webinar Offers Key to Unlock Federal Funding

Mark your calendars for 10:00 am, Thursday, September 26th, when the Nevada Governor’s Office of Federal Assistance will host: “Unlocking Federal Funding: Navigating Nevada’s OFA Grant Discovery Tools and Resources.”

Webinar will Explore:

• Gaining a better understanding of available grant resources
• Learning how to navigate and utilize OFA’s online tools
• Understanding the role of Nevada’s Single Point of Contact

Webinar: September 26, 2024 at 10:00 am PT

Register Today!

Nevada Arts Council Seeks Input on Proposed Changes FY26 Grant Guidelines

The Nevada Arts Council is seeking public comment on proposed changes to select Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Offering Guidelines.

Attendee input may be done in person, virtually via Zoom, or provided through comments via email. All comments will be discussed during the workshop.

Guidelines to be Reviewed:

• Nevada Arts Council: Grant and Award Policies
• Artist Fellowship Award
• Arts Learning Project Grant
• Arts Learning Express Grant
• Folklife Artist Grant
• Folklife Community Grant
• Nevada Heritage Fellowship
• Operating Support Grant
• Project Grant for Artists
• Project Grant for Organizations
• Target of Opportunity Grant

Workshop: September 30, 2024, Noon PT

More Info

$50 Million ‘Build to Scale’ Funding Opportunity Aims to Boost Technology Entrepreneur Ecosystems

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications for its FY24 $50 million Build to Scale program.

The Build to Scale program supports organizations that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems that support entrepreneurs in technology-driven businesses.

EDA expects to grant 40 to 50 awards, with awards up to $5 million.

The Build to Scale Program Aims to:

• Build capacity for entrepreneurs and innovators to invent, improve, and bring to market new technology products and services
• Accelerate growth of regional economies focused on future industries
• Empower communities to enable technology innovators and entrepreneurs to pilot and test their products and services
• Increase access to capital for technology-enabled entrepreneurs

Eligible Applicants Include:

A state, an Indian Tribe, a city or other political subdivision of a state, and an entity whose application is supported by a state or political subdivision of a state, and is:

• Nonprofit organization
• Institution of higher education
• Public-private partnership
• Science or research park
• Federal laboratory
• Venture development organization
• Economic development organization or similar entity that is focused primarily on improving science, technology, innovation, or entrepreneurship
• Consortium of any of the aforementioned entities
Application Deadline: October 28, 2024

NOFO

More Info

 

Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Grants

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) provides loans, grants, and technical assistance resources to improve and support access to fresh, healthy, affordable food in urban and rural underserved communities. HFFI is using additional USDA-allocated American Rescue Plan Act funding.

Eligible Applicants:

• State, local, Tribal governments and their agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Cooperative businesses
• For-profit businesses

Funds Usage:

• Support new or existing partnerships, such as state or local food funds or financing programs
• Explore, establish, or grow a healthy food financing fund for underserved communities
• Increase internal and external capacity building
• Identify and improve access to seed capital
Application Deadline Round 1: October 14, 2024

More Info

Fact Sheet

Apply Now!

 

Building Outdoor Recreation Economies in Rural Communities

The Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for its Recreation Economy for Rural Communities planning assistance (RERC).

This program helps communities identify strategies to grow their outdoor recreation economy and revitalize their main streets.

The RERC planning assistance process involves developing a local steering committee in each partner community and pairing them with a team of federal agency partners and consultants. Over a period of a few months, the team assists communities in bringing together local residents and other stakeholders to decide strategies, and develop an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy.

Application Deadline: October 16, 2024

More Info

Five for Friday: September 6, 2024

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 recreation, public transportation, rail safety, connecting communities, and Brownfields Grants.

Grant Opportunities & More


Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC)

The RERC planning assistance program helps communities identify strategies to grow their outdoor recreation economy and revitalize their main streets. The RERC program was formed in 2019 and is partnership between EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization, USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Denali Commission.

The RERC planning assistance process involves developing a local steering committee in each partner community and pairing them with a team of federal agency partners and consultants, who then work over several months. The team supports the steering committee to identify the community’s vision, goals, and actions they wish to take to boost outdoor recreation, revitalize their main streets and promote equitable access to the outdoors for residents and visitors alike.

Application Deadline: October 16, 2024

How to Apply

More Info


Public Transportation on Indian Reservations

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of more than $9 million in competitive grants for its FY 2024 Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program. The program is open to federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs. Eligible activities include planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal transit services in rural areas.

Past awards have ranged from $25,000 to over $1,000,000. Public transportation includes regular, continuing shared-ride surface transportation services open to the public or open to a segment of the public defined by age, disability, or low income.

Types of Projects Include:

• Capital investment for start-ups, replacement, or expansion needs
• Operating assistance
• Planning projects up to $50,000

Application Deadline: November 13, 2024

More Info


Get the Lowdown on Railroad Crossing Grants

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for its Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program and Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Grant Program.

RCE Grant Program: dedicated to improving railroad crossing safety and efficiency, investing in projects that construct grade separations, upgrade safety devices at crossings, or close at-grade crossings where roads and train tracks intersect.

R&E Grant Program: assists with operating costs for eligible projects that will establish service on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations, and enhance service on existing routes.

FRA hosted webinars on these grant opportunities to discuss application requirements, share best practices and tips, and provide information about the grant evaluation process and timeline are available.

RCE Grant Application Deadline: September 23, 2024

R&E Grant Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

RCE Grant

R&E Grant Program

Webinars

Closing Soon: Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program

More than $600 million is available for capital construction and community planning grants through the third round of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. The Program focuses on improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation; fostering equitable development and restoration; and providing technical assistance to further these goals.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

RCP Program

NOFO

Webinar Registration and Recordings

EPA Opens Applications for FY 25 Brownfields Grants

The EPA has announced the FY 25 Brownfields Grant program as well as important webinars related to these funding opportunities. EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization is soliciting applications from eligible entities for Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and Cleanup Grant funding. These Brownfields Grants allow more vacant and abandoned properties to be turned into community assets that will attract jobs and promote economic revitalization in communities.

The EPA will provide two guideline outreach webinars to assist applicants with understanding the Narrative ranking criteria for the FY 2025 Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup Grant Guidelines.

There is no need to preregister for either webinar.

Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 9:00 am PT

This webinar will focus on the FY 2025 Narrative ranking criteria for entities applying for:
• Community-wide Assessment Grant Funding
• Assessment Coalition Grant Funding
• Community-wide Assessment Grants for States and Tribes Funding

Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 9:00 am PT 

This webinar will focus on the FY 2025 Narrative ranking criteria for entities applying for:
• RLF Grant Funding
• Cleanup Grant Funding

Application Deadline: November 14, 2024

Webinar: Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 9:00 am PT

Webinar: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 9:00 am PT 

More Info

Five for Friday: August 9, 2024

Five for Friday: 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 reconnecting communities, Brownfield programming, water and wastewater, and American Indian housing.

Grant Opportunities & More

USDOT: More than $600 million Available for Projects that Reconnect Communities

The Reconnect Communities Pilot Program will fund locally driven projects such as interstate capacities, highway removals, Complete Streets, and Main Street revitalization.

Two Funding Types:

1. Capital Projects: May fund both reconnecting-focused projects and smaller projects focused on reducing environmental harm and improving access in disadvantaged communities.

Projects May Address:
Removal of a dividing facility
Enhance community connectivity
Improved access by building or improving Complete Streets

2. Community Planning: These grants provide funds for planning activities to support future construction projects and allow for innovative community planning to address localized transportation challenges.

Potential applicants who are interested in pursuing a reconnecting type project but are not prepared to submit funding requests within 90 days can submit a request for technical assistance through the Reconnecting Communities Institute.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

Reconnecting Communities Institute

NOFO

Brownfield Curious Webinar

The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) and Groundwork USA will spotlight brownfields expert Danielle Getsinger of Adaapta in this second installment of the Brownfield Curious series. Danielle and CCLR will break down the stages of the process and guide webinar attendees through the entire land revitalization journey—from the planning to the celebratory ribbon cutting.

The Webinar Will Explore:

• Stages of the land reuse process and key stakeholders for each stage
• Common brownfield challenges and how to navigate them
• Types of funding and technical assistance available
• How to advocate for revitalization projects

Webinar: August 13, 2024 at 11:00 am PT

More Info and Registration

USDA Water and Environmental Programs Webinar

The USDA will host a workshop for potential applicants and existing grantees of technical assistance and revolving fund grant programs.

Participants will learn more about the application process, grantees responsibilities, indirect costs, civil rights requirements, environmental requirements, and other program details.

Who Should Attend? Qualified private nonprofits, federally recognized tribes, public bodies and academic institutions that meet the eligibility requirements of the following grant programs:

Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants
Solid Waste Management Grants
Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grants
Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects Grants

Webinar: August 22, 2024, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm PT

Webinar Registration

National Rural Water Association Water and Wastewater Project Loans

The Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF) is program is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small water and wastewater utilities through low-cost loans for short-term repair costs, small capital projects, or pre-development costs associated with larger projects. The RWLF was established through a grant from USDA. Loans are offered at below market interest rate (currently 3%) and a maximum repayment period of 10 years.

Eligible Projects:

• Pre-development (planning) costs for infrastructure projects
• Replacement equipment, system upgrades, maintenance and small capital
projects
• Energy efficiency projects to lower costs and improve system sustainability
• Disaster recovery or other emergency loans

Application Deadline: Open

More Info

Indian Housing Block Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers grants to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing in safe and healthy environments on American Indian reservations, in other American Indian areas, and to carry out other affordable housing activities that benefit low-income families.

HUD will give priority to projects that spur construction and rehabilitation, while considering need and administrative capacity. HUD strongly encourages new affordable housing construction projects that will increase the number of housing units available for low-income Indian families and help address the housing shortage in Indian Country. Additionally, HUD encourages housing rehabilitation projects that will increase the useful life of existing affordable housing units and alleviate substandard housing conditions.

Application Deadline: August 29, 2024

More Info

In the News: Humboldt County/NV 95-80 RDA Brownfields Grant Community Meeting

Community Meeting Explored Brownfields Program and $500K Award

Humboldt County and the Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority hosted an EPA Brownfields Grant Community Meeting on Wednesday, July 24th at the Winnemucca Convention Center.

Presenters included U.S. EPA Region 9 representative Lisa Hanusiak, Ruben Ramos-Avina of the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, and Tracy Johnston of Converse Consultants.

The purpose of the meeting was to share information about the County’s Brownfields Program. Humboldt County was awarded a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant in 2023. The award is being used to conduct environmental site assessments and prepare any cleanup and reuse plans for the Brownfields sites, along with funding community outreach activities, which are being coordinated by the Western Nevada Development District. The program covers the Nevada 95-80 region of both Humboldt and Pershing counties.

About Brownfields

Brownfields are vacant properties or underutilized properties that may have environmental concerns related to previous industrial or commercial activities on those properties. Brownfields programs also boost the local economy by creating jobs, improving the value of adjacent property and increasing general tax revenues.

Five for Friday: March 8, 2024

Information Impacting Your Community

Curated by WNDD…

DOE Clean Energy and Manufacturing Workforce Training and Technical Assistance Awards

The Department of Energy (DOE) has recently released a $24 million funding opportunity for clean energy and manufacturing workforce training programs. The DOE is seeking applications from union training programs (including labor-management training programs), community colleges, trade schools, and other job training programs to establish new industrial training and assessment centers, as part of the broader Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) network. The funds can support a wide range of training programs, from micro-credentials to Registered Apprenticeships, and the funds may be used for a range of eligible costs.

Planning awards up to $200,000, execution awards up to $2 million

NOFO and Application Process

U.S. DOT Announces $1.25 Billion for Communities to Improve Roadway Safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has opened the process for cities, towns, counties, Tribal governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to apply for $1.256 billion in funding for local projects that improve roadway safety. The funds are from the competitive grant program, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A). SS4A funds will help communities in the development of road safety action plans and improve unsafe roadway corridors by implementing effective interventions. Additionally, these funds can be utilized to test out safety features such as separated bicycle lanes or curb extensions at intersections.

Implementation Grant Deadlines: May 16, 2024

Planning and Demonstration Grant Deadlines: April 4, 2024; May 16, 2024; August 29, 2024

NOFO

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

A new funding window has opened for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. The DLT Program provides financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will help rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other – and the world – overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. The USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is hosting two webinars to provide information about the DLT Program and will cover the recently published DLT NOSA (Notice of Solicitation).

This webinar will include:
• A brief overview of the DLT Program
• An overview of the current NOSA
• A walkthrough of the application process
• Next steps and important dates
• An opportunity to ask questions about the NOSA
Webinar Dates and Times

Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 10:00 am to 11:30 am PT
Wednesday March 27, 2024, 10:00 am to 11:30 am PT

DLT NOSA

Registration, Recordings and More

More on Traffic Safety: State Grant Opportunities

The Nevada Department of Public Safety is offering grant funds dedicated to non-infrastructure safety-related improvement projects (e.g., education, enforcement, equipment, etc.).

The FY25 grant opportunities are 5 p.m. March 15, 2024.

Grant funds are provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for education, enforcement of traffic laws, and adoption of safe driving behaviors that support the State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The Office of Traffic Safety is interested in proposals that address the following:
• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Impaired driving, riding, or walking
• Distracted driving
• Pedestrian, bicyclist, and/or motorcycle safety
• Preventing roadside deaths or injuries of first responders or in work zones
• Protecting passengers and children during vehicle operation
• Protecting children and others from risks related to being left unattended in a vehicle
• Community based traffic safety programs
• Traffic safety studies and improved data collection
• Public health partnerships and Emergency Management Services (EMS)
• New drivers, older drivers, and/or programs that reach underserved communities
Applications Due: March 15, 2024

More Info

WNDD Summit: “Show Me More Money”

March 25 and 26, 2024

The 2024 WNDD Summit will take off where “Show Me the Money” left off last year. This year’s event, dubbed “Show Me More Money,” will provide attendees with a more in depth look at navigating grant opportunities, building a successful grant application, fostering partnerships and more.

Guests include elected officials, sponsors and speakers. Expect presentations from area experts, exciting local tour, fun, food and entertainment!

Monday, March 25
Tour
3:00 to 5:00 pm

Frey Ranch Distillery Tour and Tasting

Board of Directors Dinner
6:00 to 9:00 pm

Elevated Dining Experience at the Historic Oats Park Art Center 151 E. Park Street, Fallon

Antique Bar, Cultural Exhibits
and Entertainment

Enjoy a fabulous meal and a special signature drink handcrafted with Frey Ranch Whiskey

Tuesday, March 26
Summit
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Fallon Convention Center 100 Campus Way, Fallon

Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks

Presentations and Panel Discussions:

  • Nevada Lithium/EV Materials Loop Tech Hub Impact
  • Brownfields Grants Impact on Economic Development
  • And, more…

2024 WNDD Summit Flyer

Register Today!

Book Your Room Today!

Quality Inn
1051 W Williams Ave., Fallon
Government Rate of $107 plus tax
To get your guaranteed rate, call hotel direct at:

775.428.0300

Group Name: WNDD Summit

Five for Friday: 2023 a Year in Review

Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…

In this edition of Five for Friday, we review some of the highlights from 2023 for the Western Nevada Development District and its members.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe – Wadsworth Multi-Purpose Center

The Tribe was awarded a $219,000 investment from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for pre-construction, environmental site review and final design activities for a new Multi-Purpose Cultural and Wellness Center in Wadsworth, the Tribe’s largest population center. The 16,455 square foot facility has been 10 years in the planning and will feature tribal offices, classrooms with a focus on workforce training and a configurable community multi-purpose room that will be ideal for small workshops and conferences. The construction plans also include a large kitchen. Construction costs are expected to be approximately $5 million, and the EDA investment will help the Tribe prepare for other state, local and federal investment opportunities.

Lovelock – USDA Reconnect Program Groundbreaking

USDA Rural Development celebrated the groundbreaking this past fall for a $27 million investment made through the USDA ReConnect Program and was awarded to Uprise Fiber to increase internet access in the City of Lovelock.

Uprise Fiber will utilize the funding to deploy a Fiber-to-the-Home network that will offer economical and dependable internet to Lovelock residents nearly thousands of times faster than their current internet, which can be insufficient for basic activities such as teleconferencing or streaming. This investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network connecting 4,884 people, 130 businesses, 22 farms and 7 public schools to high-speed internet in Pershing County.

Part of the grant application employed WNDD’s Broadband Mapping Speed Test. The Nevada Speed Test was used to assist grant administrators and internet service providers to verify the impact of their programs and intended targets in real time without relying on out-of-date historical maps.

WNDD Announces the City of Yerington as Its Newest Member

The City of Yerington became the 7th city to join WNDD. Economic Development Districts are cities’ local connection with the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, providing locally-based, regionally driven economic development plans and grant resources for the infrastructure needed to support the strategic blueprint.

WNDD will partner with the city to improve airport infrastructure, assist workforce development and training initiatives and support Main Street projects. The City of Yerington joins the counties of Douglas, Humboldt, Mineral, Pershing, Storey and Washoe; the municipality of Carson City; the cities of Fallon, Fernley, Lovelock, Reno, Sparks, Winnemucca; and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe as WNDD members.

WNDD Annual Program Meeting

In August, the annual WNDD Program Meeting hosted nearly 40 members and guests to tour the Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility. Attendees received an update on the OneWater Nevada water reuse project. Lunch was held at the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center where attendees learned about programming and toured the facility. EDA’s John Edmond and Civil Engineer, Luis Aguilar, were on hand to give some grant writing and project management tips. The EDA teams also met with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Chairman, James Phoenix, for a tour of key economic development sites and project areas at Nixon and Wadsworth.

EDA Tech Hub Designation

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and its consortium partners, including WNDD, were successful in their application to become a designated Tech Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).

EDA granted the designation to the University’s Lithium Batteries and Other EV Material Loop, which aims to build a self-sustaining and globally competitive lithium lifestyle cluster, covering extraction, processing, manufacturing, and recycling.

UNR is one of 32 new tech hubs within the states and Puerto Rico, representing a cross-section of urban and rural regions. Designation is an endorsement of the region’s plans to supercharge their respective technological industries to create jobs, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and protect national security. The program was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in August of 2022.

Tech Hub Designees are eligible to apply for the Tech Hubs Phase 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). In Phase 2, EDA will award implementation grants to 5 to 10 Designated Tech Hubs, with each of those Hubs receiving approximately $40 to $70 million.

Humboldt County EPA Brownfields Community Assessment Grant

This past summer, WNDD participated in the Kickoff Meeting for the Humboldt County EPA Brownfields Community Assessment Grant held in Winnemucca. The EPA’s Brownfields program provides technical assistance to communities, states, and tribes to assess, safely clean up and sustainably repurpose underutilized or blighted properties.

The redevelopment of vacant or underutilized land is an opportunity for new growth. This grant funding can be a pathway to new economic opportunities, private investment, and improved quality of life for Humboldt and Pershing County residents.

A partnership between Humboldt and Pershing counties, the grant is being administered through Humboldt County and the Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority. As a sub-awardee, WNDD will assist with community outreach and engagement activities. Converse Consultants is providing the Environmental Consulting Services that will lead the environmental assessment efforts, and reuse planning.

…but wait there’s more!

WNDD Planning Program Grant and CEDS Update Workshop

EDA announced in June a $240,000 Partnership Planning grant for WNDD for FY2023 thru FY2025. This EDA planning investment supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the region served by WNDD, which consists of nine counties and seven municipalities. The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.

WNDD members and local stakeholders participated in a workshop facilitated by the University Center for Economic Development, part of the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno to evaluate and update WNDD’s 2020 through 2025 CEDS. These funds will help sustain these collaborative regional planning efforts. Workshop participants included WNDD members and key community stakeholders who were given an opportunity to evaluate the existing strategic economic development vision, goals, and actionable items. They also prioritized projects, assessed existing local and regional socio-demographics, and economic and housing conditions. The workshop completed a revised Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis for the region, and teed up the final selection of revised priority CEDS projects for the coming year.

Shout out to Frederick Steinmann, DPPD, Director of the University Center for Economic Development for facilitating a brisk and meaningful workshop.

Mineral County and Partners Receive USDOT Thriving Communities Program Grant

Mineral County and community partners Walker River Paiute Tribe and Mineral County School District received a Technical Assistance grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Thriving Communities Program.

The County is working to implement a shared community revitalization plan by merging the community capacity needs for the Babbitt Industrial Park site with the infrastructure needs of the town of Hawthorne. The Thriving Communities Program support will help to advance local storm water infrastructure improvements to repair roadways from flooding events and improve community mobility. Through the Thriving Communities Program, USDOT selects and funds Capacity Builder teams to provide deep-dive technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities across the U.S.

The goal is to assist communities with the technical tools and organizational capacity to comprehensively plan for and deliver quality infrastructure projects and community development projects that enable their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.

WNDD Summit Hits a Homerun

More than 100 were in attendance at the Western Nevada Development District Summit: “Show Me the Money — How to Get Your Next Grant” held last January at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno. Attendees learned the latest grant writing and management tools and techniques from a wide range of speakers representing state, federal and private organizations working in the grant sector.

An abundance of insight into the world of grants was shared with attendees at the Summit. Guest speaker presentations are perfect reference tools as you work towards getting that next grant for your community.

Reference Tools

Workshops with EDA’s Seattle Region Team

Members of the Western Nevada Development District along with host, the University of Nevada College of Business Center for Economic Development, welcomed Regional Director Sheba Person-Whitley and EDA Nevada Representative John Edmond from the Economic Development Administration’s Region VI Office last January for roundtable discussions and a local infrastructure tour through the City of Reno. WNDD members had the opportunity to share potential EDA grant eligible projects with the representatives, while UCED Director Fred Steinmann reviewed the Center’s work on establishing new Development Districts throughout the state and assisting communities with Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies.

The Regional Director, Nevada Representative, Storey County, NNDA, EDAWN and WNDD representatives toured the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) in McCarran, NV the following day to show the economic growth occurring in Northern Nevada.

Thank You to Our Members and Associate Members

WNDD sends a heartfelt thank you to all of our Members and Associate Members for your support in 2023, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in 2024!

Kick Off Meeting: Humboldt County EPA Brownfields Community Assessment Grant

A Pathway to Economic Opportunities for Our Communities

The Kickoff Meeting for the Humboldt County EPA Brownfields Community Assessment Grant was held this week in Winnemucca. The EPA’s Brownfields program provides technical assistance to communities, states, and tribes to assess, safely clean up and sustainably repurpose underutilized or blighted properties.

The redevelopment of vacant or underutilized land is an opportunity for new growth. This grant funding can be a pathway to new economic opportunities, private investment, and improved quality of life for Humboldt and Pershing county residents.

A partnership between Humboldt and Pershing counties, the grant is being administered through Humboldt County and the Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority. As a sub awardee, Western Nevada Development District will assist with community outreach and engagement activities. Converse Consultants is providing the Environmental Consulting Services that will lead the assessment, reuse planning for assessed and/or clean-up sites, and co-develop revitalization strategies.

This Just In! Access to More Speaker Presentations

WNDD Summit Gives the Latest in Grant Information

An abundance of insight in to the world of grants was shared with attendees at the WNDD 2023 Summit. So much so, that we want to share a few more guest speaker presentations in case you missed something. They are perfect reference tools as you work towards getting that next grant for your community.

WEP and CF Programs: Gus Wegren, USDA RD

Business and Cooperatives Programs: Chandler Allen, USDA RD

USDA RD Rural Development Programs & NV Contacts

Brownfields & Other Programs: Lisa Hanusiak, Brownfields PM

WNDD Summit

Five for Friday: July 22, 2022

Curated by the Western Nevada Development District

Welcome to Five for Friday, your source for upcoming funding opportunities, grants and webinars that can support economic development in Western Nevada.

We hope you find this edition helpful and informative as you work to make our region a great place to live and do business.

Grant Opportunities & More

Applications Due Soon! Bureau of Reclamation – WaterSMART Grants

This Notice of Financing Opportunity (NOFO) for Water and Energy Efficiency Grants provides for projects that result in verifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability advantages. These programs conserve and use water more efficiently, enhance renewable energy production, minimize conflict risk in places at high risk of future water conflict, and achieve other benefits that contribute to sustainability.

Application Deadline: July 28, 2022

Bureau of Reclamation

WaterSMART Grant


Upcoming Webinar: Training and Technical Assistance for Small, Rural, and Tribal Wastewater Improvements

Learn more about the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) $18 million investment to create a pipeline of technical assistance providers to support rural, small, and tribal governments. Leaders with the EPA Office of Wastewater Management will provide training to aid in the application process during this free webinar.

Webinar: July 27, 2022, Noon till 1 pm PT
Application Deadline: August 22, 2022

More Information

Webinar Registration


Don’t Miss Out! Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants

The EPA will fund $12 million to eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver Brownfields Job Training programs that recruit, train, and retain a local, skilled workforce by prioritizing unemployed and underemployed residents to obtain the skills and credentials needed for pathways into full-time employment in the environmental field.

Application Deadline: August 2, 2022

Brownfields Job Training Grants


Webinar: Using Census Bureau Data for Grant Writing

Census Bureau data can provide key indicators and data points that are useful to include in a grant proposal. During the webinar, participants will learn how to successfully navigate census.gov to capture information needed to support grant writing. It will cover key Census Bureau products, data tools and applications that can create a demographic profile of a community.

Webinar: August 9, 2022, 11 am till Noon PT

Grant Writing Webinar Registration


Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering up to $4 million in cooperative agreement funds to qualified organizations to support planning, technical assistance, and training for placemaking initiatives in rural communities. Under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC), the money can be used by qualified organizations to promote the development of transportation, housing, and recreational facilities as well as plans for improving internet connection in rural areas.

Application Deadline: August 15, 2022

Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge


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.

 

New Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Allocates More Than $1.5 Billion to Brownfields Program

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law last month, will dedicate more than $1.5 billion to the U.S. EPA Brownfields program. The Act includes hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to Multipurpose Grants, Assessment Grants, Cleanup Grants, Revolving Loan Fund Grants, and technical assistance and is intended to improve equity, stimulate redevelopment and reuse, create jobs, and mitigate environmental degradation.

U.S. EPA released an outline of how it will distribute the funding, including key information about funding limits for multi-purpose, assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund grants, plus upcoming grant timelines.

Check out the outline to the funding allocation below and join the National Brownfields Coalition for a conversation about opportunities arising from the Act and the state of brownfields nationally on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. (PT).

Registration: State of the Redevelopment Field

Read the funding breakdown here: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: A Historic Investment in Brownfields

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

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