Economic Development – Western Nevada Development District

USDA Rural Business Development Grants (RBDGs)

The RBDG supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities that promote the development and expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross annual revenues.

RBDG funding is separated into either enterprise or opportunity-type grant activities.

Enterprise Grants Include:

• Training and technical assistance, including project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, and product or service improvements
• Buying or developing land, easements, or rights of way, including access streets and parking areas
• Constructing or renovating buildings, and buying machinery and equipment
• Supporting rural business incubators and community economic development

Opportunity Grants Include:

• Business support centers
• Technology-based economic development
• Leadership and entrepreneur training
• Feasibility studies, business plans, and long-term strategic planning, and other eligible activities

Eligible Entities:

• Municipalities
• Non-profits
• Tribes
• Institutes of higher education

Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000. There is no cost-sharing requirement.

Grant Resource Manual

Veterans Business Resource Fair

Join the Nevada Veterans Business Outreach Center (NVVBOC) in Reno located at 1041 S. Virginia Street for their Veterans Business Resource Fair and Military Spouse Pathway to Business event. This is a unique opportunity designed to empower veterans and military spouses on their entrepreneurial journey. This event features the Military Spouse Pathway to Business program, an immersive course that introduces military spouses to the essentials of entrepreneurship.

There will also be a resource fair where veteran and military spouse businesses can connect with valuable resources and network with other local veteran entrepreneurs.

The NVVBOC is dedicated to veteran empowerment and entrepreneurial excellence.

Veterans Fair: November 19, 2024, 11:00 am to 3:30 pm

Registration

Walmart Spark Good Program Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the next round of Walmart Spark Good Local Grants. The grants range from $250 to $5,000 and are awarded through an open application process to eligible organizations operating locally and directly benefiting the service area of the facility from when they are requesting funding. All organizations interested in applying for a Spark Good Local Grant must have a Spark Good account on Walmart.com/nonprofits and be verified by Walmart’s third-party verification partner, Deed. Only authorized users of the organization’s Spark Good account may apply.

Application Deadline: December 31, 2024

FAQs

FY 2025 RAISE Grants Now Open

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs.

Eligible Projects Include:

• Highway, bridge, or other road projects
• Public transportation projects
• Port infrastructure investments
• Intermodal projects
• Various planning projects

For capital projects located in urban areas, the minimum award is $5 million. For capital projects located in rural areas, the minimum award is $1 million. Planning projects do NOT have a minimum award size. The maximum grant award is $25 million.

Application Deadline: January 30, 2025

Applications

Five for Friday: November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024/in Economic Development, Grants, News/by JM@dmin

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 entrepreneur support, business grants, financial literacy, groundwater storage, and climate justice.

Grant Opportunities & More

LAUNCH Rural Nevada 2024!

The annual Launch Rural Nevada event on November 8th is designed for startups and small business owners in rural Nevada. The program provides opportunities for mentorship, access to capital, and connection with entrepreneurial support organizations. Participants must live in rural areas.

Competition Categories:

•Youth Division: Open to Junior and Senior High School students
•Adult Division: Open to all participants 18 years and older

The event is in hybrid format with local, in-person viewing sites, and online options.

Rural Business Development Grants

USDA Rural Development grants provide funds for business opportunities and enterprise projects to organizations, including nonprofit cooperatives. The grant may be used to establish business support centers, finance training/leadership programs, purchase/develop land, repair/modernize buildings, finance planning, or buy equipment to lease to small or emerging businesses.

Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas.

Grants may be made to a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.

Grants range from $10,000 to $500,000. There is no cost sharing requirement.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

Application

NASDAQ Quarterly Grant Program

The NASDAQ Quarterly Grants program empowers organizations that equip diverse investors with the financial knowledge and confidence they need to share in the wealth that markets can create. It also supports entrepreneurs who promote diversity with the resources to strengthen and scale those businesses, and contribute to the prosperity of society.

Grants Awarded for:

• Enhancing financial literacy among women and under-represented communities
• Improving access to information/tools among women and under-represented communities
• Equipping women and diverse founders with mentoring and resources
• Improving access to capital for women and diverse founders

Application Deadline: November 8, 2024

Guidelines

Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Project Grants

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Small Storage Program provides funding for surface and groundwater storage projects between 2,000 and 30,000 acre-feet. Projects must also increase storage or move water to or from the storage project.

The program will provide financial assistance for projects that, will increase water supply reliability, improve operational flexibility, and enhance climate resiliency of water and related infrastructure throughout the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Federal funding is available for up to 25 percent of eligible project costs. No more than $30 million is available per project.

To be eligible to receive a grant from this program, project sponsors must submit a feasibility study to Reclamation for review and approval that follows Reclamation’s published feasibility standards.

Feasibility Standards

Environmental and Climate Justice Program Grants

The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants), offers an unprecedented $2 billion in grants under this Notice of Funding Opportunity. The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.

Funding Track Opportunities:

Track I: Fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million to $20 million
Track II: Fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million to $3 million

Grants cannot exceed 3-years in duration.

Previous Projects Include:

• Home weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades across 35 Tribes in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
• Environmental justice workforce development trainings for lead abatement, welding, hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, home weatherization, and residential energy audits in Los Angeles
• Over $14 million to install onsite wastewater treatment systems
• Expanded workforce programs around urban forestry and wood waste reduction, increased tree canopy in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and keeping wood waste out of landfills

Application Deadline: November 21, 2024

Five for Friday: October 4, 2024

October 4, 2024/in Economic Development, Grants, News, Uncategorized/by JM@dmin

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 rural energy, entrepreneurship, workforce development, tourism and museums.

Grant Opportunities & More

USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loans & Grants (REAP)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s REAP program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of 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
• Small and large wind generation
• Small and large solar generation

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
• Insulation
• Lighting
• Cooling or refrigeration units
• Doors and windows
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots
• Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment

REAP Grants range from $2,500 to $1 million

Energy Efficiency Grants range from $1,500 to $500,000

Applications Opened: October 1, 2024

REAP Grant Program

Build to Scale Funding Aims to Boost Entrepreneur Ecosystems

The Build to Scale (B2S) program aims to increase the capacity of entrepreneurs in regions throughout the United States to demonstrate, deploy, and deliver new technologies by starting and growing new companies and creating and sustaining new, good jobs. Funding of up to $5 million is available for organizations that aid companies in developing, demonstrating, and deploying new, emerging, and critical technologies.

Eligible Applicants:

• A State
• An Indian tribe
• A city or other political subdivision of a State
• An entity whose application is supported by a State or a political subdivision of a State, and that is a nonprofit organization; or an institution of higher education

Application Deadline: October 28, 2024

Clean Energy Careers for All Program Will Award Nearly $3 Million for Workforce Development Programs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers funding for non-profit educational organizations, including engineering, scientific, and technical societies, to support programs that promote awareness and interest in clean energy careers among K–12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

DOE will accept applications for new or expanded workforce development programs in key clean energy sectors including renewable energy, building energy efficiency, energy storage, advanced materials and manufacturing, electric vehicles, among others.

Eligible Programs:

• Facilitating work-based learning opportunities (like internships, apprenticeships, or other job-based experiences) with industry partners
• Providing career coaching and mentorship (including soft skills development)
• Enhancing education and curriculum development
• Providing career exposure (virtual exposure or in-person visits) to stakeholder groups at multiple levels of the clean energy workforce pipeline

Phase I awards are up to $300,000.

Webinar: October 16, 2024

Phase I Application Deadline: December 13, 2024

Webinar

Helping Tribes Evaluate and Identify Viable Tourism Business Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Indian Economic Development offers a Tribal Tourism Grant program to support tribal economic development and fulfill the mission of the NATIVE Act by providing funding for tribes to conduct feasibility studies to help them make informed decisions about potential tourism projects.

Indian Affairs expects to select 10 to 15 projects which will receive between $75,000 to $150,000 each over 2 years. The grants are intended to support building Tribal capacity to plan, develop and manage tourism and related infrastructure in support of economic development to elevate the living standards of the community.

Application Deadline: October 25, 2024

Apply Now!

Grant Funding for Local Museums

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America program supports museums of all sizes and disciplines in strategic, project-based efforts to serve the public through exhibitions, educational/interpretive programs, digital learning resources, professional development, community debate and dialogue, audience-focused studies, and/or collections management, curation, care, and conservation.

Project Categories:

• Lifelong Learning
• Community Engagement
• Collections Stewardship and Access

Successful applicants provide funds from non-federal sources in an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount of the request. With IMLS funding, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe collected oral history interviews from tribal wisdom-keepers and developed digital stories to supplement museum displays and exhibits for its Pyramid Lake Museum/Visitor Center.

Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $250,000 and run for a period of up to three years.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2024

Five for Friday: September 20, 2024

September 20, 2024/in Brownfields, Economic Development, Grants, News, Uncategorized/by JM@dmin

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

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

$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

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

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

Five for Friday: September 6, 2024

September 6, 2024/in Brownfields, Economic Development, Grants, News/by JM@dmin

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

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

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

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 

Reconnecting Communities Institute

Five for Friday: August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024/in Brownfields, Economic Development, Grants, News/by JM@dmin

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

More Info and Registration

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

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

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

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

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

August 1, 2024/in Brownfields, Economic Development, Grants, News/by JM@dmin

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: July 26, 2024

July 26, 2024/in Economic Development, Grants, News/by JM@dmin

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!

Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…

This edition of Five for Friday focuses on railroads, fish and wildlife, broadband, affordable energy and the Nevada Tech Hub.

Grant Opportunities & More

Grants to Strengthen Safety at Rail Crossings and Reduce Blocked Crossings

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a NOFO for the FY 2023-FY 2024 Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant program making more than $1 billion in funding available. As the only competitive discretionary grant program dedicated to improving railroad crossing safety and efficiency, the RCE Program invests in projects that construct grade separations, upgrade safety devices at crossings, or close at-grade crossings where roads and train tracks intersect.

Eligible Projects:

• Grade separation or closure, including through the use of a bridge, embankment, tunnel, or combination
• Track relocation
• Improvement or installation of protective devices, signals, signs
• Measures to improve safety related to a separation, closure, or track relocation project
• Other means to improve the safety if related to the mobility of people and goods at highway-rail grade crossings (including technological solutions)
• Planning, environmental review, and design of an eligible project type

Application Deadline: September 23, 2024

Partners for Fish and Wildlife

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land. Since 1987, the program has helped more than 30,000 landowners to complete more than 50,000 projects, restoring more than six million acres of forest, prairie, wetland and stream habitat for wildlife.

All private landowners interested in restoring wildlife habitat on their land are eligible to participate. Current partners include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, recreational landowners, corporations, local governments and universities. Priority goes to projects judged likely to provide habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species.

Projects have a minimum duration of 10 years. In addition to private landowners, we partner with other federal agencies, state agencies and non-governmental organizations to complete projects on private lands. Participating landowners do not forfeit any property rights and are not required to allow public access.

Nevada Contact
Susan Abele
Email: Susan_Abele@fws.gov
Phone: 775.861.6346

Broadband Tech Assistance Webinar, Wednesday, July 31

The USDA Rural Development Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is hosting an “Ask Me Anything: BTA” Q&A session. The webinar will provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the Broadband Technical Assistance NOFO and application process that you may have. Broadband Technical Assistance provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training and supports the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.

Slides, a transcript, and a recording of the webinar will be posted to the site after the session.

Webinar: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 10 am to Noon PT

Reducing Energy Costs for Low Income Households

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program provides energy conservation measures in dwelling units occupied by families at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines as established by the US Office of Management and Budget. For eligible homeowners and renters, there is no direct cost to participate in the program. Owners of eligible rental properties may be required to pay 50% of any capital improvement measures that are installed.

After a home energy assessment is performed by a trained energy auditor, a dwelling unit may qualify for some of these typical energy conservation measures:

• Air sealing
• Energy efficient light bulbs
• Insulation
• Low-flow shower heads
• Pipe wraps
• Solar screens
• Weather-stripping

WNDD Region Program Administrators:

• Community Services Agency (CSA):
Service Area: Washoe County
775.786.6023

• Rural Nevada Development Corporation (RNDC) Service Area: Mineral County and Pershing County
775.289.8519 or 866.404.5204 (Toll Free)

• Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA)Service Area: Carson City, Churchill County, Douglas County, Lyon County, and Storey County
775.887.1795 ext. 112

Types of Brownfields Grant Funding

ICYMI: Nevada one of 12 Tech Hub Awardees

On July 2, the U.S Department of Commerce announced $504 million in implementation grants for 12 Tech Hubs across the country. The funding will be used to scale up production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security, and accelerate the growth of industries of the future.

The 12 Tech Hubs implementation awardees are:

• Elevate Quantum Tech Hub (CO,NM)
• Headwaters Hub (MT)
• Heartland BioWorks (IN)
• iFAB Tech Hub (IL)
• Nevada Tech Hub (NV)
• NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub (NY)
• ReGen Valley Tech Hub (NH)
• SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC, GA)
• South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub (FL)
• Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub (OH)
• Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (OK)
• Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub (WI)

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Reno, Nevada to formally announce $21 million in implementation funding for the Nevada Tech Hub. This Tech Hub is working to align and coordinate its innovation and economic development activities with established companies, startups, education, and workforce development organizations to enable the region to become a global lithium leader.

Five for Friday: July 12, 2024

July 12, 2024/in Economic Development, Grants, Industry, News, Uncategorized/by JM@dmin

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 Brownfields Grants, charging and fueling infrastructure, nutrition, and regional events.

Grant Opportunities & More

FY25 EPA Brownfields Grant Types and Amounts Announced!

The EPA has just announced specifics for the agency’s FY25 Brownfields grants. Approximately $235 million will be available in the form of: Community Wide Assessment, Assessment Coalition, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup grants this application cycle. Grants offered by the Brownfields Program may be used to address reuse strategies for vacant properties or underutilized properties that may have environmental concerns as well as sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum) and petroleum. EPA anticipates issuing the solicitations for funding in September 2024.

Review EPA FY25 Resources

Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants

The Federal Highway Administration is accepting applications for its Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. The CFI Round 2 NOFO offers up to $1.3 billion in funding for new applications and for previously submitted applications. The CFI Program is a competitive grant program to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work – urban and rural areas alike – in addition to designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). CFI Program investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles.

The Program provides two categories of grants:

1. Community Charging and Alternative Fueling Grants (Community Program)
2. Charging and Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program)

On June 6th, FHWA hosted a grant overview webinar, and on June 11th a webinar on reconsideration of Round 1 applications. These recordings are available to view below.

Application Deadline: August 28, 2024

More Info and Recorded Webinars

Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Grants

The USDA’s 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. Applicants may apply for loans ranging from $500,000 to $5 million to implement healthy food projects. Funds may be used to support predevelopment, land acquisition, renovations, and equipment purchases. Applicants may also apply for grants up to $250,000 to implement healthy food projects. Funds may be used to support project management, equipment purchases, and construction.

Applications are open to:

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

Humboldt/Pershing Brownfields Grant Community Meeting July 24

Humboldt County and the 95-80 Regional Development Authority are hosting an EPA Brownfields Grant Community Meeting on Wednesday, July 24 at 6:00 pm at the Winnemucca Convention Center – East Hall, 50 W Winnemucca Blvd, Winnemucca, NV.

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

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

Broadband Technical Assistance for Rural Communities

The USDA’s Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) program provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training. Funds can be used to promote broadband expansion in eligible rural areas and includes activities such as project planning and community engagement, operations, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, construction and engineering planning, accessing federal resources, and data collection and reporting.

The USDA is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am PT to cover the following topics:

• An Overview of the Broadband Technical Assistance Program
• Fiscal Year 2024 Program Requirements
• How to Apply and Key Application Resources
• Important Dates and Next Steps
• Questions and Answer Period

Application Deadline: August 20, 2024