In the Know: News About Our Regional Economy

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Seven Stories About Economic Development Impacting Our Region

Western Nevada is a vibrant and ever-growing community with new businesses and industries moving into the area. Here are seven stories about economic development impacting our region.

New Electronics Facility in Washoe County Expected To Generate $7.8 Million in Tax Revenue

VSE, LLC plans to open an 84,000-square-foot electronics research, design, and assembly center in Washoe County. VSE is an established electronic and mechanical design and engineering company serving small to multi-billion-dollar corporations in semiconductor, medical device, green-tech, and automotive innovation. It will receive more than $318,000 in tax abatements and must create 70 jobs in its first two years at $29.64 per hour. In five years, 140 jobs are predicted. The company will invest $2.2 million in its first two years and create $7.8 million in net new tax revenues over 10 years.

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Panasonic – TMCC Partnering on Training Center

Truckee Meadows Community College will open a training center in Reno to help Panasonic Energy North America fill 400 $32-per-hour jobs. The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development will contribute $1.6 million (GOED). More than $1 million in training equipment will equip the new PENA building in Reno, increasing access to training in advanced manufacturing, production systems, automation, and robotics for anyone seeking a living wage career track or upskilling for advancement.

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Post Investing in Nevada Cereal Plant Upgrades

Post Holdings, Inc. will invest up to $110 million to expand its cereal production capacity at its facility in Sparks, Nevada. The expansion is expected to create approximately 30 to 40 new jobs.

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Northern Nevada Getting $32 Million in Federal Funds

A variety of projects focused on law enforcement, wastewater treatment, airport improvements, highway infrastructure and economic revitalization will receive $32.25 million in funding from the federal government. The list includes $4.37 million for Fallon’s wastewater treatment plant, $4 million for the Coleman Road Connector in Churchill County, $3.59 million for Reno Tahoe airport terminal road improvements, $2 million for rural nursing expansion projects at Western Nevada College, $1.1 million for Appion Way intersection improvements in Carson City, and $1.38 million to upgrade Kahle Drive in Douglas County’s drainage, sewer, water lines, and sidewalks.

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Unemployment Rate falls as Nevada Adds Jobs

The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reports the statewide unemployment rate is now 4.9% and employment is up 96,300 since May 2021. Reno area unemployment is 2.7% and the area has added some 800 jobs since April. Carson City isn’t far behind Reno at 3% jobless. Douglas County was at 3.1%, 673 in a labor pool of 21,441. Total employment in the state is now 1.45 million.

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New Report Provides Economic Roadmap for Nevada and Its Regions

Brookings Mountain West and The Lincy Institute released a 131-page report offering an evaluation of Nevada’s economy over the past decade. It also suggests how policy and business leaders can rally around a new, focused agenda to address long-standing economic, educational, and social deficits and set the state up for a robust, sustainable recovery.

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Reports Chart Good Month for Nevada Casinos, Tourism in May

The Nevada Gaming Control Board said that casinos statewide won $1.3 billion in May, the fourth-highest all-time and the 15th month in a row topping the $1 billion mark.

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Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More! – July 8, 2022

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Collected by the Western Nevada Development District

Curated by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), this edition focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of workforce development, infrastructure and broadband.

Grant Opportunities & More

Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs)

The QUEST DWG initiative supports employment equity and resilience as the nation prioritizes economic and employment recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Successful applicants will propose projects that include partnership development, community outreach, business engagement, and comprehensive career and training services, and that also may include disaster relief employment.

Application Deadline: August 4, 2022

QUEST DWG Grant

Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems

The OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant will fund improvements to U.S. public health systems infrastructure to help ensure they are ready to respond to emergencies and meet the evolving and complex needs of their communities. Supported in part by the American Rescue Plan Act, this program will provide cross-cutting support to public health agencies for critical infrastructure needs related to workforce, foundational capabilities, and modernizing public health data systems.

Application Deadline: August 15, 2022

Public Health Infrastructure Grant

Leading Engineering for America’s Prosperity, Health, and Infrastructure – LEAP HI

The LEAP HI initiative encourages engineering researchers to improve America’s prosperity, health, and infrastructure. LEAP HI sponsors $1-$2 million collaborative research projects for five years. LEAP HI submissions must highlight a fundamental research challenge with significant social impact, especially on economic competitiveness, quality of life, public health, or vital infrastructure.

Letter of Intent Deadline: July 15, 2022
Proposal Deadline Window: August 15 thru September 15, 2022

LEAP HI Program

Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants – Capital Projects

The purpose of the program is to strengthen the institutional base of the humanities by enabling infrastructure development and capacity building. Awards of federal matching funds aim to help institutions secure long-term support for their core activities and expand efforts to preserve and create access to outstanding humanities materials.

Optional Draft Deadline: August 17, 2022
Application Deadline: September 27, 2022

Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants

Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program

With $1 billion in funding, the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program will reduce the cost of bringing high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities. This program supports the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure to connect major networks to local networks and ensure reliable high-speed internet service for even the most remote communities.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2022

Middle Mile Broadband Program

Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), is a vital partner to our member organizations in Grant Research, Writing and Management. Our professional team is available to assist in identifying and obtaining funding sources to grow a stronger Nevada.

For more information about membership, visit WNDD.org

Be a Part of The Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry!

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Workers – Infrastructure – Apprenticeships

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest more than a half trillion dollars in American infrastructure over five years. This could create more than 3 million jobs in the construction workforce, bringing hundreds of thousands of new job opportunities every year. As details of a “generational opportunity” were debated, openings for construction jobs increased steadily and significantly.

“Governing,” Recently posed the question of if proven strategies can be implemented fast enough to develop a workforce that will achieve the benefits infrastructure funding is intended to foster.

Read the Article

In Western Nevada, we’re proud to say that our region has many examples of successful apprenticeship programs, including many from our own Western Nevada Development District members, including:

Building & Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada

Represent more than a dozen local trades affiliates, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada furthers opportunities for construction career growth, including apprenticeship.

State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry

The Office of the Labor Commissioner is a division of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, and offers a list of all Nevada Registered Apprenticeship Programs on their website.

Truckee Meadows Community College

Employers partner with TMCC to create training and educational programs specific to existing needs within the company. Common apprenticeship programs include industrial maintenance mechanic, tool and die maker, CNC machining, maintenance electrician, industrial sheet metal worker/welder, production welder, and HVAC/refrigeration mechanic.

Western Nevada College

Students can earn an industry-recognized certification in as little as eight weeks at WNC and enter the workforce above entry level.

Some of the construction programs include:https://wndd.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=61f7381173113d363e2c365b8&id=e587f77332&e=54e192870f

• Certified Inspector of Structures
• Ramsdell Construction Academy
• Construction Gateway

Want to learn more about what WNDD and its members are doing to support economic development in our region?

Visit WNDD.org

EDA Equitable Economic Development THIS WEEK: 2 Webinars for EDA Grants!

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You won’t want to miss two webinars this week about two new funding opportunities for programs aimed at strengthening equitable economic development strategies across the nation.

Wednesday, June 22nd:
Equity Impact Investments Program

The Equity Impact Investments Program will provide technical assistance to enable organizations serving underserved populations and communities to participate in economic development planning and projects.

Webinar: Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 11am PT

Application Deadline: August 5, 2022

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is currently seeking an organization or coalition to provide technical assistance to build capacity within organizations serving underserved populations and communities to help them effectively participate in their local economic development efforts. Funding for the program is between $3 million and $10 million and will be dependent on reach, impact and number of grants awarded.

WEBINAR RSVP: Equity Impact Investments Program

NOTICE OF FUNDING: Equity Impact Investments Program

Thursday, June 23rd:
Economic Recovery Corps Program

The Economic Recovery Corps Program will add staff resources to local organizations focused on improving economic resilience and competitiveness in distressed regions across the country.

Webinar: Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 10:30 am PT

Application Deadline: August 5, 2022

EDA is currently seeking a Network Operator (an organization or coalition) to build, launch, and operate the Economic Recovery Corps program, which will embed Fellows in local economic development organizations across the country.

EDA seeks to award one grant to a Network Operator between $20 million and $25 million, with a five-year period of performance. EDA supports collaborative and innovative partnerships to build and launch these new initiatives and welcomes different perspectives and approaches.

Questions? Email: EquityImpact@eda.gov

WEBINAR RSVP: Economic Recovery Corps Program

NOTICE OF FUNDING: Economic Recovery Corps Program

Need help applying for these programs or any others? WNDD has your back! All WNDD member organizations can benefit from our extensive background in economic development planning and grant research, writing and management services.

VISIT: WNDD.ORG

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More! – June 17, 2022

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Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), is a vital partner to our members in Grant Research, Writing and Management. Working in regional collaboration with public and private entities to create an environment within which economic development can occur, WNDD’s professional team is available to our members in identifying and obtaining funding sources to grow a stronger Nevada.

Grant Opportunities & More

Curated by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), this Friday round up, focuses on opportunities around the region in the areas of women’s empowerment, workforce development and training and economic development.

Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) – Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (AWEEA)

The Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) of the U.S. Department of State invites organizations to apply to carry out the Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (AWEEA) initiative. This initiative will provide a convening forum and workforce development activities to support the empowerment and professional development of women working in or looking for work in the clean energy sector to overcome historic gender-based marginalization.

Deadline: July 7, 2022

AWEEA Grant

Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration – Apprenticeships for Complete and Committed Employment for Specialized Skills (ACCESS) Program

The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration will accept applications for grants for the Department of Energy National Lab Jobs Apprenticeships for Complete and Committed Employment for Specialized Skills (ACCESS) Program. The ACCESS Program is a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program that leads to postsecondary qualifications for high school and college students. It focuses on skills and qualifications needed to fill traditional and emerging technician positions (including machinists and cybersecurity technicians) at the National Laboratories.

Deadline: July 7, 2022

ACCESS Grant

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – Office of Community Services (OCS)

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will solicit applications for $12.3 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations (CDC) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects to enhance job creation and business development for low-income individuals.

Community Development Corporations Grant

National Institute of Corrections (NIC)

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is seeking applications for funding to revise the current 40-Hour blended Evidence-based Workforce Development curriculum into a virtual instruction-led format. This project aims to develop a blended training curriculum to provide criminal justice practitioners and stakeholders with the knowledge/skills needed to support justice-involved adults’ workforce development and reentry efforts effectively.

Deadline: July 18, 2022

NIC Grant

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Wildfire Recovery and Resilience

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is offering up to $600,000 to study the effectiveness of disaster recovery funding after a wildfire. The project aims to improve the ability of wildfire-affected communities to employ disaster aid to build resilience, especially in low- and moderate-income areas.

Deadline: July 19, 2022

Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Funding

Economic Recovery: By the Numbers June 14, 2022

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The economic recovery in Western Nevada is well underway, with key statistics showing significant improvements in recent months.

5,200: Nevada added 5,200 jobs in April 2022, an 8% annual increase. Reno’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added 700 jobs, and Carson City’s added 300.

$1.3 billion: Nevada’s nonrestricted gaming licensees reported a total gaming win of $1,355,229,902 for March 2022, a 26.83% annual increase.

75 cents: Nevada’s minimum wage will rise 75 cents on July 1 to $9.50/hour for organizations with health insurance and $10.50/hour for those without.

Six: Governor Steve Sisolak appointed six members of his existing cabinet to a workforce development sub-cabinet to evaluate the state’s workforce needs and provide recommendations.

$15 million: Washoe County plans to spend $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide supportive housing to disproportionately affected communities, including $4.5 million for those with severe mental illness.

13: Spirit Airlines will be the 13th airline to service Western Nevada from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport when it begins twice-daily flights to the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas in August 2022.

With continued support from businesses and residents, we will continue to build a strong and thriving economy.

Read the Full WNDD Economic Recovery Newsletter Report

$45 Billion Federal Program

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Aims To Provide Affordable, Reliable High-Speed Internet To All Americans By 2030

The Biden-Harris Administration launched an Internet for All initiative, investing $45 billion to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade. The initiative will be administered and implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The program will build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills, and provide the necessary technology to ensure that everyone in America—including communities of color, rural communities, and older Americans—has the access and skills to participate in today’s society fully.

The Internet for All program includes three Notices of Funding Opportunities:

• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program: $42.5 billion
• Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program: $1 billion
• State Digital Equity Act programs: $1.5 billion

Learn More

The Power to Speed Up Nevada’s Economic Growth Is in Your Hands!

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Take The Nevada Speed Test Today to Support Nevada’s Digital Economy

Nevada’s digital economy is only as strong as the broadband infrastructure that supports it. That’s why the Nevada Speed Test, spearheaded by WNDD, is so important.

The Nevada Speed Test aims to ensure that every home and business in Western Nevada has access to affordable, adequate, and reliable high-speed internet. This is essential for participating in a digital economy and society.

The Nevada Speed Test relies on participation from businesses and households in the WNDD region to be successful. The data provided through nevadaspeedtest.org can guide funding distribution to boost Western Nevada’s broadband connectivity in the coming years.

The clock is ticking!

The mapping program’s software license will expire in October 2022. With less than five months to go, participating jurisdictions in the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) region are roughly 6,500 tests short of meeting the minimum objective of 4% of households taking the test.

Outreach and promotion are vital to spreading the word about the Nevada Speed Test and encouraging participation. WNDD has been working with local governments, community organizations, and the media to help promote the Nevada Speed Test. So far, KOLO 8 News, Channel 2 News, Northern Nevada Business Weekly, and others have covered the Broadband Mapping Project.

Recent and ongoing efforts to market the Nevada Speed Test include sending individual requests to WNDD members, senior centers, community centers, libraries, school districts, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, and other groups.

The project’s lead sponsor is Uprise Fiber, an associate member of WNDD.

Be Counted!

Take the Nevada Speed Test Today!

How the Map Works
The interactive map is progressively taking shape as residents take the Nevada Speed Test and may be viewed at nevadaspeedtest.org

Each speed test is shown on the map as a dot, and the color of the dot indicates the download and upload speeds.

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More! – June 3, 2022

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Collected by the Western Nevada Development District

Curated by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), this Friday round up, focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of infrastructure, equity in housing, emergency management resources and workforce development.

Grant Opportunities & More

US Department of Transportation (DOT) – Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

DOT released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the SS4A discretionary grant program, which comprises Action Plan Grants and Implementation Grants.

Eligible activities include:
• Develop or update a comprehensive safety Action Plan
• Conduct planning, design, and development activities in support of an Action Plan
• Carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan

Eligible applicants include metropolitan planning organizations, political subdivisions of States, federally recognized Tribal governments and multijurisdictional groups comprised of the aforementioned entities.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2022 at 2:00pm PT

SS4A Grant

SS4A Notice of Funding


Fannie Mae – Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge

Fannie Mae has announced the Call for Ideas is open for The Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge 2022: Advancing Racial Equity in Housing. This is a new competition to identify projects that advance equity in rental and homebuying experiences for Black households. Fannie Mae will select projects and execute contracts with public, private, and nonprofit sector organizations, as well as individuals and teams.

Application Deadline: June 17, 2022 at 5:00pm PT

Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge

Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge Guide

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Resource Guides

FEMA Region 9 has provided a compilation of resources to be shared with communities and colleagues within the region to serve as guides.

The purpose of these documents is to provide State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal governments with an overview of resources and programs capable of being used to respond to and recover from the impacts of natural disasters, human-made disasters, public health emergencies, economic hardships, humanitarian crisis, security issues, expanding incidents, and complex emergencies.

Please use as a starting point for research and note that information is constantly changing. For the most up-to-date information, visit the individual organization’s website or work directly with the relevant entity.

Broadband Resource Guide

Food System Resource Guide

US Environmental Protection – Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants

NEW: EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Grant Program is refocusing the competition on training activities that support assessment, cleanup, and preparation of brownfields sites for reuse. As part of that change, the former Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program will now be called the Brownfields Job Training Program.

Eligible entities including nonprofit organizations, to deliver Brownfields Job Training (JT) programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental fields.

The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization will also host an outreach webinar on June 15, 2022, from 11:00 am to 12:30pm PT to explain the guidelines for interested applicants and to address commonly asked questions.

Application Deadline: August 2, 2022

Webinar June 15, 2022, 11:00am to 12:30pm PT

Brownfields Job Training Grants

Brownfields Webinar

In the News: Driving it home…

Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) – Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program at Western Nevada College (WNC)

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board approved a $400,000 grant from the Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) fund to grow a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program at Western Nevada College (WNC).

Nevada has 4,500 fewer licensed commercial drivers than the national average, according to In-Demand Occupations. The American Trucking Association’s 2021 National Truck Driving Shortage Report estimates a shortage of 80,000 commercial drivers, which could climb to 170,000. The Nevada Trucking Association estimates that 92% of manufactured items in Nevada are transported by truck, making a qualified trucking workforce essential.

This program, which will be offered in Carson City and Fallon, intends to provide 100 training slots for $24 per hour positions.

“The CDL program will help train workers for an industry seeing significant vacancies,” said Kyle Dalpe, WNC Interim President. “This funding will help educate students faster and into jobs sooner.”

WNC CDL Program

New! WH Releases Infrastructure Technical Assistance Guide Supporting Local Infrastructure Hub

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Photo Source: Local Infrastructure Hub

In May, the White House released a technical assistance guide to help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments access resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The 56-page document includes information for programs related to transportation, high-speed internet, water, power grid and clean energy, resilience, environmental remediation, and place-based initiatives.

Technical Assistance Guide

Local Infrastructure Hub to help communities navigate Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) resources

Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Emerson Collective, the Ford Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation, the Local Infrastructure Hub was created to help communities navigate Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) resources.

The Hub will help local leaders navigate the nearly 400 available funding opportunities designed to drive local recovery, improve communities, and deliver results for residents.

Additionally, the Hub will assist cities and towns in developing competitive applications most likely to be awarded federal grants with special focus on helping traditionally underserved cities and towns.

Sign Up for Local Infrastructure Hub Updates

Local Infrastructure Hub