Thriving Communities Program USDOT

Congratulations to Mineral County and community partners Walker River Paiute Tribe and Mineral County School District for their successful application to 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. Thriving Communities Program support will help to advance local storm water infrastructure improvements to repair roadways from flooding events and improve community walkability.

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.

The FY 2023 Thriving Communities Program opportunity for Capacity Builders and communities is expected to open in summer 2023. USDOT will update the Thriving Communities Program website with more information when it is available.

Thriving Communities Program

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 broadband, placemaking, infrastructure, and the arts.

Grant Opportunities & More

USDA’s Community Connect Grants Reopen

The Community Connect provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist. Eligible applicants include:

• State and local governments
• Federally recognized Tribes
• Nonprofits
• For-profit corporations
• Limited liability companies

Funds may be used for the construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for all residential and business customers located within the Proposed Funded Service Area and/or all participating essential community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, public libraries, and public safety stations).

Application Deadline: June 20, 2023

Community Connect Grant

Placemaking Grants and Technical Assistance for Rural Communities

The National Endowment for the Arts seeks rural communities of 50,000 people or less to apply for the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) program which funds technical assistance to support rural communities with placemaking. Selected applicants emerge from CIRD programs with greater capacity and a wealth of resources to lead their community through current and future community design challenges. Design strategies may include:

• Historic preservation and adaptive reuse of community buildings
• Designing quality affordable housing that supports livable, equitable communities
• Creating public or civic spaces that support and integrate cultural expression and local identity
• Developing recreational trails for mobility, active transportation, and economic development
• Designing spaces and places that improve access to healthy food and local food systems
• Integrating cultural identity into the built environment to drive heritage tourism

For questions, contact: cird@ruralhome.org

Application Deadline: April 21, 2023

CIRD Program Info

Submit Application

Want Better Internet? Share your Opinion

The High Speed NV Initiative is a project of the Governor’s Office of Science Innovation and Technology with the goal to ensure that all Nevadans have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. Citizen listening sessions are being conducted through April in all 17 counties. Discussion topics range from access to affordable and reliable internet, to cybersecurity and digital skills training.

Find Listening Dates & Take Survey

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program has $5 billion in appropriated funds available over the next 5 years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.

The following activities are eligible for the SS4A program:

• Develop or update a comprehensive safety action plan (Action Plan)
• Conduct planning, design, and development activities in support of an Action Plan
• Carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan

Grants can range from $100,000 up to $2.5 million.

Application Deadline: July 10, 2023

SS4A Program Info

SS4A Application

Nevada Arts Council: Folklife Community Grants

The Nevada Arts Council Grants Program reflects a significant commitment by the State of Nevada to support the creation of art and access to the arts for its citizens. Nevada Arts Council grants support the efforts of nonprofit arts and community organizations, public institutions, and individual artists to make cultural activities and experiences widely available to those who live in or visit Nevada.

The Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Folklife Community Grant (FLC) supports programs with folk artists and culture bearers presented by small community organizations. Eligible projects focus on the transmission or presentation of folk arts or traditions that are practiced, valued, and shared within culturally specific communities in Nevada. Funds also support Nevada’s individual artists, dance, opera and theatre companies, symphonies, orchestras, choral groups, and local arts councils statewide.

Application Deadline: June 1, 2023

Folklife Grant Fact Sheet

Register for Informative Broadband Webinars Today!

A new funding window has opened for the USDA’s Community Connect Grant Program. The Community Connect Program provides financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide, on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis, broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety benefits.

The USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is hosting two webinars to provide information about the Community Connect Program and will cover the recently published Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

This webinar will include:
• A brief overview of the Community Connect Program
• The current NOFO
• A walkthrough of the application process
• Next steps and important dates
• An opportunity to ask questions about the NOFO

The USDA will present this webinar twice. Attendees should select the date that works best for their schedule. The webinars will include the same information at each session.

Webinar: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM PT

Webinar: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM PT

Webinar Registration: March 28th

Webinar Registration: April 11th

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 infrastructure, capacity building, climate change and public safety.

Grant Opportunities & More

Applications Open for First Round of $2.5 Billion Program to Build EV Charging in Communities & Neighborhoods Nationwide

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, offers up to $700 million from Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities.

Eligible applicants include:

• States or political subdivision of States
• Metropolitan planning organizations
• Unit of local governments
• Special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function, including port authorities
• Indian tribes
• Authorities, agencies, or instrumentalities or entities owned by, one or more entities listed above

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law divides the CFI Program into two distinct grant funding categories, and requires that 50% of the funding over five years is made available for each:

• The Community Program will provide $1.25 billion to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure, and hydrogen, propane, or natural gas fueling infrastructure in communities. Infrastructure may be located on any public road or in other publicly accessible locations such as parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and public parks, or in publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by a private entity.

• The Corridor Program will provide $1.25 billion to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs).

Eligible applicants and projects for both categories are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Application Deadline: May 30, 2023

CFI NOFO

EDA Pilot Program Helps Build Up Distressed Communities

The U.S Economic Development Administration is requesting the public’s input on the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete Pilot Program).

The program is an economic development initiative that will provide grant funding to distressed communities across the country to create and connect workers to good jobs and support long-term comprehensive economic development by helping to reduce the high, prime-age (25 to 54 years of age) employment gap.

This new authority allows EDA to:
• Target persistently economically distressed areas to support long-term, comprehensive and sustainable economic development and job creation/placement
• Award grants to support development or implementation of an eligible recipient’s Recompete Plan

RFI Deadline: March 27, 2023

Recompete Pilot Program

Humanities Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Office of Challenge Programs is accepting applications for Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants: Capital Projects.

Capital Projects support the purchase, design, construction, restoration, or renovation of facilities for humanities activities. This includes costs related to planning as well as the purchase and installation of related moveable and permanently affixed equipment for exhibiting, maintaining, monitoring, and protecting collections (whether on exhibit or in storage), and for critical building systems, such as electrical, heating ventilation and air conditioning, security, life safety, lighting, utilities, telecommunications, and energy management.

Projects are financed through a combination of federal matching funds and related fundraising from nonfederal third parties. Proposals must enhance the institution’s long-term impact on the humanities and build on careful strategic planning.

Application Deadline: May 17, 2023

NEH Grant

Environmental and Climate Justice Program

EPA is seeking public input on the new Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) program that will distribute $3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding through grants and technical assistance. This Request for Information (RFI) related to the ECJ Grant Program, requests comments on multiple aspects of the program including, but not limited to:

• ECJ Program Design
• Types of Projects to Fund
• Reducing Application Barriers
• Reporting and Oversight
• Technical Assistance

Response Deadline: April 10, 2023

Environmental and Climate Justice Program

RFI Response

Grants to Prevent Drowning and Save Lives

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission will award up to a total of $3.5 million in two-year grants to assist jurisdictions in reducing deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas. The “Pool Safely” Grant Program (PSGP) is a part of CPSC’s national campaign to make drowning and drain entrapment prevention a critical public safety priority.

Applicants must be a state, local government, Indian Tribe or U. S. Territory.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2023

PSGP Grant Program

PSGP FAQs

PSGP Flyer

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, business accelerators, farming and the arts.

Grant Opportunities & More

Expanding Recreation Economies Across Rural America
Federal Agencies Partnering to Create New Tools and Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in mid-January that it will create a plan to expand recreation economies to help people thrive across rural America. The USDA Rural Development, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and U.S. Forest Service will partner to develop an annual plan to expand economic opportunities related to recreation in communities surrounding America’s national forests. The annual plan will outline the ways the agencies will partner to conduct program outreach, host informational sessions and workshops, and develop toolkits to help people access the resources they need to thrive in recreation economies.

The agencies will also:

1. Provide technical and planning assistance to help local, state and Tribal leaders develop regional economic development plans that advance recreation economies
2. Provide funding under Rural Development and NIFA programs to help U.S. Forest Service gateway communities expand resilient recreation infrastructure and business development projects that create jobs
3. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships

USDA Rural Development Stakeholder Announcement

USDA RISE Grant Program: From Innovation Centers to Job Accelerators

The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas.

RISE grant funds can be used to:

• Build or support a business incubator facility
• Provide worker training to assist in the creation of new jobs
• Train the existing workforce with skills for higher-paying jobs
• Develop a base of skilled workers and improve their opportunities to obtain high-wage jobs in new or existing local industries

The RISE project must serve a rural region small enough to allow close collaboration among partners. It also must include important elements of the region’s prioritized industry cluster (concentrations of related industries).

Grant amounts are awarded competitively with a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum grant amount of $2,000,000.

Application Deadline: April 20, 2023

RISE Grant Program

Farmers Market Promotion Program Promotes Farm-to-Table Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year 2023 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). FMPP’s purpose is to support the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer markets to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. FMPP achieves this goal through the creation, coordination, and delivery of outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct producer-to-consumer (including direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurant and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) market opportunities.

Approximately $15.4 million is available to fund FMPP applications under this solicitation. FMPP Capacity Building projects range from $50,000 to $250,000, while Community Development Training and Technical Assistance projects range from $100,000 to $500,000.

Application Deadline: May 2, 2023
Webinar: March 15, 2023 at 10 am PT

2023 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

Webinar

Nevada BLM Visitor Services Partnerships

The BLM’s Recreation and Visitor Services Program oversees a broad and complex set of recreation related programs, which provide a multitude of recreation opportunities and experiences. These recreation resources and visitor services support strong local economies and public land conservation. BLM Nevada has an opportunity to work with partner organizations to assist with the following:

• Increase and enhance access to BLM public lands and waters
• Increase and enhance recreational opportunities
• Enhance public satisfaction at BLM recreation sites and areas
• Collect visitor and recreation resource data by conducting inventories and visitor assessments
• Conduct inventory, monitoring, data management, assessment, planning on BLM public lands and waters
• Provide enriched visitor services information, interpretation and education, including websites
• Protect visitor health and safety
• Improve accessibility for persons with disabilities
• Improve motorized and non-motorized trails including trail construction and maintenance, comprehensive travel and transportation inventory and assessment

Program funding totals $1.6 million with awards ranging from $20,000 to $750,000.

Eligible institutions include, state and local governments, non-profits and Native American Tribal Governments.

Application Deadline: April 10, 2023

NOFO: Nevada BLM Recreation and Visitor Services Program

Challenge America Bolsters Arts Programs to the Underserved

The National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach of the arts to groups/communities with rich and dynamic artistic and cultural contributions to share that are underserved. Challenge America features an abbreviated application, a robust structure of technical assistance, and grants for a set amount of $10,000. Grants require a cost share/match of $10,000 consisting of cash and/or in-kind contributions. Total project costs must be at least $20,000 or greater.

Challenge America supports arts projects in all artistic disciplines, including Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Arts, Theater, and Visual Arts.

Possible projects include, but are not limited to: arts programming, including commissioning or presentation of artists or artwork; marketing and promotional activities; and organizational planning.

This category may be a good entry point for organizations that are new to applying for federal funding.

Application Deadline: April 27, 2023

Challenge America Bolsters Arts Programs