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

 

More Participation Needed! Take the WNDD Speed Test

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In the News: KOLO Explores the Nevada Speed Test

KOLO Reporter, Terri Russell explores why Northern Nevadans need to take the Nevada Speed Test.

The Nevada Speed Test is hosted by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) and is part of the Western Nevada Broadband Initiative, a network of public and private partners working to expand internet access and build a stronger digital infrastructure in urban and rural communities across the WNDD region.

“Higher internet speeds really lead to better economic wellbeing, higher incomes and lower unemployment rates,” says Lisa Granahan, Douglas County Economic Vitality Manager and WNDD Board Member.

Mapping results from participation will aid in identifying underserved communities as well as bring neighborhoods and communities up to the best service possible by applying for grants and other federal dollars.

KOLO Video

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities May 6, 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 business incubators, housing, agriculture, infrastructure and, rural Micro-entrepreneurs and Micro-enterprises.

Grant Opportunities

Department of the Interior – Bureau of Indian Affairs – Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP):

The Secretary of the Interior, through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), Division of Economic Development (DED), solicits proposals from eligible applicants to receive competitive grants to establish and operate business incubators that serve Tribal reservation communities. These grants will provide individually tailored business incubation and other business services to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to overcome the unique obstacles they confront and provide tools necessary to start and grow businesses that offer products and services to reservation communities.

Application Deadline: June 17, 2022

IBIP

Housing Assistance Council (HAC) – Affordable Housing Loans for Low-Income Rural Communities

Housing Assistance Council (HAC) provides short-term loans at below market interest rates to local nonprofits, for-profits, and government entities that are working to develop affordable housing for low-income, rural communities.

HAC loans may be used for:

• Pre-development
• Acquisition
• Construction
• Self-help housing; and/or Preservation

Standard loan terms are up to five years, with an interest rate of 5% for non-profits and 8% for- profits. Longer terms are available depending on the type of project such as preservation.

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.

Application Deadline: Accepted Continuously

HAC

Rural Health Information Hub

 

USDA Rural Development – US Department of Agriculture – Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Eligible borrowers include:
• Public bodies
• Community-based non-profit corporations
• Federally-recognized Tribes
Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Essential community facilities include:
• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses

Application Deadline: Accepted Continuously

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program

USDA Rural Development – US Department of Agriculture – Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)

The RMAP supports the development and ongoing success of rural Microentrepreneurs and Microenterprises. RMAP provides direct loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDO).

Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
• Provide microloans for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs

Application Deadline: June 30, 2022

RMAP Grant Program

GOING FAST….

Agricultural Marketing Service – Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)

LFPP funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

The program focuses on:
• Supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products that are marketed locally or regionally, including value-added agricultural products
• Encouraging the development of value-added agricultural products
• Assisting with business development plans and feasibility studies
• Developing marketing strategies for producers of local food products and value-added agricultural products in new and existing markets
• Facilitating regional food chain coordination and mid-tier value chain development
• Promoting new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste
• Responding to changing technology needs in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing
• Covering expenses related to cost incurred in obtaining food safety certification and improvements to food safety practices and equipment

Application Deadline: May 16, 2022

LFPP Grant

NEW! USDA Online Conference

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Placemaking in Small & Rural Communities Online Conference
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Kentucky are hosting a new online conference on May 23 and 24, 2022 from 7 am till 2:00 pm PT.

Rural leaders from across the country are invited to attend the Placemaking for Small and Rural Communities Online Conference. The conference will showcase effective placemaking strategies for rural areas and connect attendees with experts and funders.

The hosts will also unveil a new interactive digital toolkit to connect rural leaders with technical assistance providers, funders, and guides on how to implement placemaking in their own communities.

The conference is free, but registration is required.

Read More!

Register Today!

‘Build to Scale’ Funding Opportunity

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EDA Accepting Applications

Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications for the FY22 Build to Scale (B2S) program, which is designed to invest in regional economies through scalable business startups.

The program will deploy $45 million to further technology-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high-quality job growth, create economic opportunities, and support the next generation of industry leading companies.

Application deadline: June 13, 2022, 8:59 p.m. PT

The FY22 Build to Scale program is comprised of two competitions:

Venture Challenge: seeks to support high-growth, technology-centric entrepreneurship to stimulate innovation, increase economic prosperity, and create high-skill, high-wage jobs.

Capital Challenge: increases access to entrepreneur-ready, equity-based capital by providing operational support for early-stage investment funds, angel networks, and investor training programs.

Eligibility

Open to cities, counties, states, other political subdivisions of states, and Indian tribes; or entities supported by a state or political subdivision of a state that is one of the following: a nonprofit organization, institution of higher education, public-private partnership, science or research park, federal lab, venture development organization, economic development organization, or a consortium of any of the aforementioned.

Build to Scale Program

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities April 15, 2022

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Curated by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD)

This Friday round up, focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of workforce development, economic development and equality, health and engagement, and infrastructure.

Grant Opportunities

Economic Development: Research & National Technical Assistance (RNTA)

EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive merit basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. Under this NOFO, EDA solicits applications from applicants in order to provide investments that support research and technical assistance projects under EDA’s R&E and NTA programs.

Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

Application Deadline: Accepted Continuously

RNTA

 

USDA Strengthen Rural Cooperatives and Expand Economic Opportunities for People in Rural America

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced that the department is accepting applications for grants to help start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses.

USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the current Administration to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America.

USDA is making the grants available under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program to help improve economic conditions in rural areas through cooperative development. For fiscal year 2022, the maximum award is $200,000. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis through a national competition.

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.

Electronic Application Deadline: June 6, 2022, 8:59 p.m. PT

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

 

BroadbandUSA – National Telecommunications and Information Administration

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has developed a comprehensive website dedicated to connecting communities to funding opportunities that support broadband planning, digital inclusion, and deployment projects.

Application Deadlines: Various/Ongoing

Nevada State Broadband Connectivity Strategy
BroadbandUSA

 

Aetna Foundation – Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program

Specifically for non-governmental agencies, the Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program seeks to support communities’ efforts to become healthier places to live, work, learn, play, and pray. Proposals should address the social determinants of health and participants’ physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The program is especially interested in projects that advance resident or youth-led initiatives and approaches that foster social engagement and reduce isolation.

Application Deadline: Applications Accepted Continuously

Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program

 

American Rescue Plan – Indigenous Communities Grants

Through this Indigenous Communities NOFO, EDA aims to assist indigenous communities to recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic. Even before the pandemic, indigenous communities faced high levels of economic distress and unique economic development challenges, resulting in severe inequalities in opportunity for members of these communities. The pandemic greatly exacerbated those challenges and inequities and will continue to cause deep economic injury to indigenous communities in unprecedented ways.

Application Deadline: Rolling

American Rescue Plan – Indigenous Communities Grants

WNDD Executive Director Announces Retirement

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Nation-Wide Search Launched for Qualified Candidates

Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) Executive Director, Sheryl Gonzales, has announced her retirement effective June 30, 2022. She joined the organization in 2013 as a Project Manager and has served in the capacity of Executive Director since 2020. The announcement has prompted WNDD to launch a nation-wide search for a new Executive Director.

Sheryl has worked in in a variety of communities serving as a leader for government agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations, advancing their mission and goals to support and grow strong and healthy communities. She served for six years as Genoa, Nevada Town Manager. Additionally, Sheryl was the President of PDG & Associates providing planning services for nonprofit and governmental agencies with multi-disciplinary teams.

She had this to say, “WNDD is a wonderful organization comprised of dedicated professionals committed to the economic vitality of the WNDD region and their respective communities. It has been an absolute honor and pleasure to have been involved in variety of projects that have supported communities throughout the 7 county and 7 cities region that had tremendous impacts on the economic landscape.”

WNDD is currently seeking qualified talent to lead and grow the organization. Applications will be taken until April 15, 2022. More information is available at: WNDD.org.

Virtual Workshops on Infrastructure and Workforce Grant Opportunities

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The Infrastructure Bill: What’s in it for you

The Infrastructure bill includes more than $1 trillion to strengthen an array of government systems and services. The legislation provides grants to state and local governments to improve transportation, cybersecurity, public safety, water and energy utilities, broadband internet connectivity, and more.

Learn how your jurisdiction can benefit from funding programs created or modified by the bill.

A virtual seminar will be held on April 14, 2022 at 11 a.m. Pacific/2 p.m. Eastern.

Government Technology will host this live webinar to breakdown key funding streams and explain how state and local government agencies can best tap into this opportunity.

The interactive session will:
• Identify key funding streams to strengthen resilience for critical infrastructure and programs
• Prepare to apply for new state and local government cybersecurity grants that will roll out later this year
• Find key programs to support technology modernization to mobilize our citizens, increase their safety and improve citizen services connectivity, and more.

Register for the Infrastructure Webinar!

 

Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN)

USDA established the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) to create a forum for public and private partners to help increase access to workforce opportunities across rural America. This network represents governmental entities, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses that are actively working to improve workforce development in their local communities.

RWIN helps rural leaders collaborate to:
• Build new partnerships
• Develop tools and resources to meet the needs of rural employers and employees
• Share and identify information on emerging trends, best practices, and workforce development resources.
Participate in a two-part virtual workshop on how to effectively apply for and manage federal grants.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022 and Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific/3:00 p.m. Eastern.

Part One: discussions how to prepare and access systems required to applying for federal grants.

Part Two: Provide tips and guidance on grant applications and how to understand grant management.

Register for the Workforce Webinar!

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities – April 1, 2022

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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, innovation, workforce development and energy.

Grants with Upcoming Deadlines

Rebuilding American Infrastructure Sustainably and Equitably (RAISE)

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has opened the application process for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, designed to assist various projects involving streets, transit, and other infrastructure. The program is available to communities of all sizes to fix and modernize infrastructure. The 2022 program received an additional $1.5 billion over the nearly $1 billion received in November 2021.

Deadline: April 14, 2022

RAISE

 

Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program

The Build America Bureau/US Department of Transportation is currently accepting applications for the second round of funding to expand Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA). Qualified RIAs serve as resources and demonstrate effectiveness in expediting projects that would otherwise take too long without assistance from an accelerator program.

Final Application Deadline: April 11, 2022

Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program

 

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE)

The U.S Department of Agriculture encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities to create high-wage jobs and accelerate business formation within these areas. The agency has provided grant assistance for this program which offers financial support on an annual basis as well as increased access to resources such as entrepreneurial training programs or equipment loans if needed.

Deadline: April 19, 2022

RISE

 

Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

USDA Rural Development grants help non-profit housing and community development organizations support housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas. Public bodies, non-profit organizations, and qualified private for-profit organizations can apply for this funding. Eligible locations are any area other than a city or town with a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town.

Deadline: April 19, 2022

Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

 

Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant Program

The ABA Grant Program, under the US Department of Labor, supports a coordinated, national investment strategy that aims to strengthen and modernize the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) system, centered on equity and promotes Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce development solution. The grant builds on the Department’s previous and ongoing efforts to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeship through expanding the number of programs and apprentices, diversifying the industries that utilize Registered Apprenticeship, and increasing access to underrepresented populations and underserved communities.

Deadline: April 25, 2022

Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant Program

Pre-Development Training and Accelerator Program

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Hosted By: Milken Institute and RCAP
Join the Cohort-Get Informed, Provide Input

Register Your Interest Today!

EDA has partnered with the Milken Institute and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) to provide communities with access to a pre-development training and accelerator program this year under an EDA Research and National Technical Assistance (RNTA) grant. Communities with a pipeline of construction and non-construction projects, conduct major pre-development activities (including: architectural and engineering work, market and environmental assessments, business plan development, etc.) who seek to become application-ready to apply for funds for project implementation are invited to register their interest in participation in the first cohort.

If you are interested, submit the Interest Form by Thursday, March 17, 2022. You will receive news about upcoming accelerator trainings, and joining the national pre-development caucus, featuring hundreds of organizations focused on scaling community infrastructure projects.

Questions can be addressed to publicfinance@milkeninstitute.org.

Interest Form