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

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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

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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

More Info

NOFO

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

More Info

NOFO

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

More Info

Webinar Registration

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

More Info

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

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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.

Types of Brownfields Grant Funding

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

More Info

Fact Sheet

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

Webinar Registration

Fact Sheet

NOFO

Congratulations UNR UCED and Nevada Tech Hub Consortium

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Nevada Tech Hub to Receive $21M

On July 2, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen joined representatives from the University of Nevada, Reno, Dragonfly Energy, and the Nevada Tech Hub consortium in Reno, Nevada to announce the Nevada Tech Hub as a national recipient of EDA’s Phase 2 Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program. Led by the University of Nevada, Reno, the Nevada Tech Hub’s Phase 2 application, was awarded approximately $21 million over the next five years, including approximately $17.5 million for the Workforce Development Component Project and approximately $3.5 million for the Nevada Native Nations Center.

Only 12 of the 31 designated Tech Hubs were selected for funding. The application process involved over 70 consortium members spanning the public sector, private sector, and various non-profit and community-based organizations encompassing the full life cycle of the lithium loop: extraction, processing, advanced manufacturing and recycling.

The Nevada Tech Hub will leverage this award to support projects that are:
• Working with community colleges, state agencies, industry, and labor unions to bolster the region’s reservoir of skilled workers.
• Providing educational opportunities and wraparound support for students at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
• Promoting awareness of STEM-related occupations across Nevada’s lithium economy, increasing retention of Native students in STEM-related fields, and creating guided pathways to family-sustaining jobs in the growing Hub workforce.
• Supporting the administrative capacity and readiness of Nevada’s Native American and Indigenous communities.
• Creating and maintaining effective and equitable management and decision-making processes, advising on workforce development strategies, and facilitating connections to relevant experts and organizations.

The final grant amount will be finalized in the coming months.

Five for Friday: June 21, 2024

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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 housing, environmental justice, infrastructure, and more.

Grant Opportunities & More

Rehabilitation Grants for Rural Housing (HPG)

The USDA’s HPG program provides grants to qualified organizations to repair or rehabilitate homes, rental properties or co-ops occupied by low- and very-low-income residents in rural areas.

Eligible applicants are organizations which include most State or local governmental entities, federally recognized Indian tribes, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations.

Applicants provide grants or low-interest loans to repair or rehabilitate housing for low- and very-low-income families. Rental property owners may also receive assistance if they agree to make units available to low- and very-low-income families.

Eligible expenses include:
• Repairing or replacing electrical wiring, foundations, roofs, insulation, heating systems and water/waste disposal systems
• Handicap accessibility features
• Labor and materials
• Administrative expenses

Pre-application Letters Due: July 29, 2024

More Info

Begin Process: Contact Nevada State Office

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants

The EPA’s new Community Change Grants program funds environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input.

The entities eligible to apply under this NOFO are:
• A partnership between two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs)
• A partnership between a CBO and one of the following:
o a Federally-Recognized Tribe
o a local government
o an institution of higher education
The activities to be performed under the grants may generally fall under the following categories:
• Climate resiliency and adaptation
• Mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, and wildfire events
• Community-led air and other (including water and waste) pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation investments in low- and zero-emission technologies and related infrastructure
• Workforce development that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Reducing indoor toxins and indoor air pollution
• Facilitating the engagement of disadvantaged communities in State and Federal advisory groups, workshops, rulemakings, and other public processes
Award Range: $1 million to $20 million

Application Deadline: November 21, 2024

NOFO

FAQs

EV and Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grants

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) will strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in urban and rural areas where people live and work located along 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.

This program provides two funding categories of grants:

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

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
• Group of entities listed above
• State or local authorities with ownership of publicly accessible transportation facilities
(applies to Community Program only)

Award Floor: $500,000

Application Deadline: August 28, 2024

NOFO

Building Climate Smart Humanities Organizations

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Office of Challenge Program strengthens the institutional base of the humanities by funding operational assessments and strategic planning efforts to sustain and protect historical, cultural, educational, intellectual, and physical assets from the risks of climate change. Projects will result in a climate action, resilience, or adaptation plan including detailed assessments, measurable actions, and expected outcomes. Proposals must address how strategic planning for climate change will increase the organization’s resilience and support its work in the humanities over the long term. Projects are financed through a combination of federal matching funds and gifts raised from third-party, non-federal sources.

Eligible applicants include:
• County governments
• State governments
• Special district governments
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• City or township governments
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

Award Ceiling: $300,000

Application Deadline: September 18, 2024

More Info

Get Your Non-Profit Noticed

With billions of Google searches happening every day, nonprofits around the world use the Google Ad Grant Program to connect with people looking to learn more about their cause. To help people digitally reach and engage their organization’s supporters, Google can provide a (free) helping hand. Through the Google Ad Grant program, qualifying nonprofits can receive up to $10,000 per month in free advertising spend on the Google Search Network. This in-kind donation allows nonprofits to promote their brand, programs, volunteer opportunities, and fundraisers online using the Google Ads platform.

More Info

 

 

 

Five for Friday: April 5, 2024

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Curated by WNDD…

The latest information on economic development impacting your community.

Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors

The 2024 Western Nevada Development District’s Summit “Show Me More Money” provided more than 90 attendees with an in-depth look at the benefits of Brownfields, the Nevada Tech Hub impact, building coalition partnerships while breaking down silos, and opportunities available to rural Nevada.

Special thanks to the City of Fallon for rolling out the red carpet as the Summit kicked off with a special tour at the Frey Ranch Distillery followed by an enjoyable evening of food and fun at the Historic Oats Park Art Center. A shout out to all our panelists and lead speakers/moderators: Eileen Christiansen, Principal, BEC Environmental; Philip Childers, Brownfields Client Manager, Converse Consultants; Dr. Fred Steinmann, Director, UNR-UCED; Glen Martel, CEO, Nevada Builders Alliance and Shari Davis, Director, Rural Economic and Community Development, GOED.

The Summit would not have been possible without these great sponsors:

Platinum
Nevada Builders Alliance

Gold
City of Fallon
Converse Consultants

Silver
RailPros

Copper
Roman DBDR

Quartz
BEC Environmental, Inc.
RNDC

Special Thanks
Frey Ranch

Grants to Strengthen Rural Cooperatives and Expand Access to New and Better Markets

The USDA is making the $5.8 million in grants available under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program to start, improve or expand rural cooperatives and other mutually owned businesses that will help improve economic conditions in rural areas.

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

USDA is particularly interested in applications that will:

• Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities
• Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD funded projects
• Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
The maximum award is $200,000.

Stakeholder Announcement

RCDG Program

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Challenge America Grants Help Everyone Live More Artful Lives

Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. 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 projects in many 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.

Projects must extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. Projects may include, but are not limited to: arts programming, including the commissioning or presentation of artists or artwork; marketing and promotional activities; special events and organizational planning.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2024

More Info

Tribal Energy Funding Opportunities

The Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, to:

• Install clean energy generating system(s) and/or energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal buildings
• Deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or community energy storage on Tribal lands
• Install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple essential Tribal buildings during emergency situations or for Tribal community resilience
• Provide electric power to Tribal Building(s), which otherwise would be unelectrified

Grants range from $100,000 to $5 million depending on project area.

Application Deadline: May 30, 2024

Recorded Webinar

Funding Announcement

FHWA Announces Nearly $45 Million in Available Funds to Improve Bicyclist and Pedestrian Connectivity and Safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has opened applications for up to $44.5 million in funding for projects that will strengthen safety and improve bicycling, walking and access to public transit in communities across the country. The new Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), will award competitive grants to help communities plan, design, or construct safe and connected active transportation networks such as sidewalks, bikeways, and trails that connect destinations such as schools, workplaces, residences, businesses, recreation areas and medical facilities within a community or metropolitan region. Grants will also be provided for projects used for trails, pedestrian facilities, bikeways and other routes that serve as backbones to connect two or more communities, metropolitan regions or states. The funding is available for states, local and Tribal governments, as well as metropolitan and regional planning organizations, and applicants can apply for more than one grant. .

Applications Due: June 17, 2024

More Info

April 9 Webinar

April 10 Webinar

Five for Friday: February 23, 2024

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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, grant assistance, water infrastructure and agriculture.

Grant Opportunities & More

Last Chance! Book Your Room Today!

Room Block Thru February 25th

Comfort Inn and Suites
1830 W Williams Ave., Fallon
Government Rate of $107 plus tax

To get your room guaranteed rate, book with Crystal Schultz at the Comfort Inn and Suites before February 25. You will need to book individually and with your credit card.

Email:
Crystal.CIFallon@gmail.com

Room Rate Guaranteed for Emails received by February 25th

ReConnect Program Webinar March 6: Notice of Funding Opportunity Round 5

The ReConnect Loan and Grant Program provides funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. The application window for the fifth round of funding will open on March 22, 2024. Presented by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service, this webinar will provide information about the ReConnect Program and will cover the recently published Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Round 5.

This webinar will include:

  • A brief overview of the ReConnect Program
  • The current Funding Opportunity Announcement
  • A summary of changes from NOFO 4 to NOFO 5
  • Next steps and important dates
  • An opportunity to ask questions about the NOFO

Webinar: March 6, 2024, 10:00 to 11:30 am PT

Register

ReConnect Program

New Database Web Site Tracks Grant and Assistance Programs

The White House released a new database which tracks federal financial assistance programs. This website allows visitors to explore Federal financial assistance programs across categories, agencies, eligible applicants, and more. Over the past several years, financial assistance has routinely accounted for over $3 trillion of spending and constitutes a high proportion of Federal programs.

Start Your Search

EPA’s Water Technical Assistance Ensures Equitable Access to Water Infrastructure Funding

EPA’s free Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) services support communities to identify water challenges, develop plans, build capacity, and develop application materials to access water infrastructure funding. To implement WaterTA, EPA collaborates with states, Tribes, territories, community partners, and other key stakeholders. EPA WaterTA aims to assist communities with applications for federal funding, quality infrastructure, and reliable water services. If your community is facing water infrastructure challenges, and could benefit from support, explore this option.

WaterTA Program

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants

Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) competitive grants initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs.

Projects may target areas of:
• food access
• education
• business
• start-up costs for new farmer
Grants can cover planning activities such as developing assessments of community needs within the local food system or identifying how food is grown, distributed, or marketed and what existing needs related to food access, nutrition, education, conservation, and economic development can be addressed.

The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $75,000 and the estimated funding ceiling is $350,000.

Application Deadline: April 9, 2024

UAIP Grants

Webinar Recordings

FAQs

Five for Friday: February 9, 2024

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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 information, networking, safe streets, business grants, and rural airport improvements.

Grant Opportunities & More

WNDD Summit: “Show Me More Money!”

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.

Expect presentations from area experts, exciting local tours, fun, food and entertainment!

Tentative Events – More Information Coming Soon!
March 25th

Tours
Naval Air Station Fallon Base Tour and Brief
Frey Ranch Distillery Tour and Tasting

Elevated Dining Experience
Catered Dinner, Antique Bar, Cultural Exhibits and Entertainment at the Historic Oats Park Art Center.
Enjoy a fabulous meal and a special signature drink handcrafted with Frey Ranch Whiskey.

March 26th
Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks
Presentations, Q and A sessions, Nevada Lithium/EV Materials Loop Tech Hub Impact Discussions

Room Block by February 25th
Government Rate of $107 plus tax
Comfort Inn and Suites
1830 W Williams Ave.
Fallon, NV

Reno Hosts FY 2024 ReConnect Program NOFO 5 Workshop

The ReConnect Program provides funds in the form of loans, grants and combination loan/grants for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.

USDA is hosting an in-person workshop in Reno, Nevada on February 27th thru 29th. The workshop will cover important information for ReConnect Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 5 applicants including an overview of each component of a complete application, live demonstrations, office hours, and more.

More Info

Conference Registration

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

US DOT’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program has $5 billion in appropriated funds available over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Over $3 billion is still available for future funding rounds.

The next NOFO is expected to be released later this month. These 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 safety features such as separated bicycle lanes or curb extensions at intersections.

Safe Streets Grant Program

Grant Funds to Boost Rural Business

USDA Rural Development offers this versatile program to support business opportunities or business enterprise projects in eligible rural areas. Uses may include establishing business support centers, financing job training or leadership development programs, the repair or modernization of buildings, creating feasibility studies, the purchase of equipment to lease to small or emerging businesses, and much more. There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement.

There are two types of Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants. Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total RBDG annual funding. Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

Contact your local office for assistance.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2024

Local Office

More Info

Matching Dollars Available for Rural Airport Improvements

The Fund for Aviation was reestablished by the 2023 legislature through AB58 at $1,000,000 per year. These funds must be used exclusively on federal projects at public-use airports within the state for the enlargement, improvement, or maintenance of rural airports, landing areas or air navigation facilities. The money appropriated through this legislation must be used by rural airports to match money that is available from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Nevada Aviation Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC) manages these funds and was formed as a forum for discussing planning and programming issues related to the Nevada Airport & Heliport System Plan (NAHSP), providing recommendations for the administration of the Fund for Aviation, (formerly the Aviation Trust Fund).

More Info

ReConnect Program Webinar:Preparing to Apply

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ReConnect Program Webinar:
Preparing to Apply

Presented by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS), the webinar will provide information about the ReConnect Program and help prepare applicants ahead of the next Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

This webinar will include:

  • What applicants can do now to prepare for the next NOFO
  • Registration and system requirements
  • A high-level look at ReConnect Program eligibility requirement
  • Tips on using the Application System
  • An opportunity to ask RUS staff questions about the application preparation

Representatives will address as many questions as time permits during each session. Once the NOFO is published, RUS will host a NOFO Overview webinar to include an updated list of the most common.

ReConnect Program Round 5 Webinar

January 24, 2024
10:00 am to 11:30 pm PT

ReConnect Program

Webinar Registration

ReConnect Program Round 5 NOFO Coming Soon!

Five for Friday: January 12, 2024

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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 seed funding, energy, transportation, water quality and climate resiliency.

Grant Opportunities & More

America’s Seed Fund Week: January 23 to 25, 2024

America’s Seed Fund serves as a springboard by providing over $4 billion each year in funding to early-stage startups and small businesses as innovators take their technology from R&D through to commercialization, through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. In a three-day virtual workshop, attendees can deepen their understanding of America’s Seed Fund, and have the valuable opportunity to connect directly with federal agency representatives who foster its competitive funding opportunities.

Register

America’s Seed Fund Resources

Energy Efficiency Grants for Ag Producers and Small Businesses

REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in areas of 50,000 or less 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. The upcoming deadline for the next REAP funding cycle is March 31. REAP provides Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs, grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, and combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75 percent of total eligible project cost.

Please register your interest in discussing your questions and interests in REAP Programs with State Coordinator Laura Chavez.

Register with Laura Chavez

More Info

USDOT RAISE Program Assists Local Transportation Capital and Planning Projects

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE Discretionary Grant program, provides a unique opportunity for the USDOT to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects. RAISE allows project sponsors at the State and local levels to obtain funding for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to support through traditional DOT programs. RAISE can provide funding directly to any public entity, including municipalities, counties, port authorities, tribal governments, MPOs, or others in contrast to traditional Federal programs which provide funding to very specific groups of applicants (mostly State DOTs and transit agencies). Applicants may submit a total of three (3) project applications (planning and/or capital) for RAISE grants. The maximum award is $25 million and requires a 25 percent match.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2024 at 11:59:59 pm ET

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RAISE Webinar Series

Water Quality Protection Grants Protect Nevada’s Waterways

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) Nonpoint Source Program (NPS Program) provides grant funding to qualifying counties, conservation districts, higher education institutions, regional agencies, and nonprofit organizations to improve conditions of Nevada’s watersheds and protect against nonpoint source (NPS) water pollution. NPS water pollution occurs when rain, snowmelt and irrigation water flow over developed or disturbed land, carrying with it contaminants including oil, sediment, pesticides, bacteria and nutrients. This contaminated water makes its way into Nevada’s waterways either directly or through storm drains. Nonpoint source pollution continues to be a significant threat to Nevada’s waterways. Implementing water quality restoration projects and educating our citizens on how they can help will reduce that threat. The NPS Program is now soliciting proposals for the implementation of on-the-ground projects to mitigate nonpoint source pollution or efforts that lead to watershed plans that will allow activities to protect waters from nonpoint source pollution in the future.

Application Deadline: February 14, 2024

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EPA Grants Promote Climate Resilience and Climate Justice Projects

The EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Program’s Community Change Grants (Community Change Grants) aims to support environmental and climate justice activities that benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.

Community Change Grants