Envision Tahoe Venture Summit

October 20, 2023

Tahoe Prosperity Center will be hosting their annual economic summit, Envision Tahoe Venture, on October 20, 2023, at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. The event will showcase the new economic driver for the community.

The Summit is an opportunity to catalyze change and take action to benefit the regional economy while supporting the community, quality of life, and the environment. The 2023 focus is on Tahoe Inc. – organizing and accelerating Tahoe’s innovation ecosystem. Spearheaded by local entrepreneurs and success stories, the Summit will explore creative ideas, provide insight and inspiration.

When:
October 20, 2023
9:00 am till 5:00 pm

Where:
Tahoe Blue Event Center
75 HWY 50
Stateline, NV

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available.

Get Your Tickets Today!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Five for Friday: August 4, 2023

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 disaster repair grants, professional development, Brownfields Workshops and local issues.

Grant Opportunities & More

USDA Announces Disaster Repair Grant

The USDA announced $50 Million to pay for up to 75% of disaster repair projects in communities with less than 20,000 residents. Nevada Counties are able to apply for these funds directly due to the Federal disaster declaration.

Rural Development Key Priorities:
• Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure
• Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD funded projects
• Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities

Application Deadline: Ongoing

Disaster Repair Grant

National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference –
September 26 thru 28, 2023

The 2023 NACO Annual Conference is just two short months away and will be held in Elko, NV, at the Elko Convention Center.

Educational sessions will focus on: community health, emergency management, public lands and natural resources.

Tuesday, September 26

President’s Reception – Help us celebrate!
2023 NACO President, Lincoln County Commissioner, Varlin Higbee

Wednesday, September 27

General Session with an exciting and engaging Keynote Speaker
Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony

Thursday, September 28

Final Educational Sessions and Engagement Opportunities

Registration and Schedule

NNDA Conference: Realities and Opportunities in Nevada’s Workforce –
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

NNDA invites you to join educational stakeholders, businesses, and state agency leaders for an informational discussion regarding the efforts to support Nevada’s workforce.

Engage with our panelists in a discussion about the current problems facing the state and how we can better prepare our workforce to the changing job trends and opportunities through trainings, career education, and apprenticeships.

When:
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Doors open at 11:00 am
1:00 am till 11:30 am Networking
11:30 am till 1:00 pm Lunch & Speakers

Where:
Atlantis Casino
3800 S. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89502

Tickets

Nevada Brownfields Workshops: Connecting the Dots – Reuse, Renew & Revitalize Land

Two Sessions

Henderson, NV: Thursday, September 7, 2023, 8:00 am till 3:00 pm
Carson City, NV: Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 8:00 am till 3:00 pm

Choose which session you would like to attend or attend both.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

As the first event of its kind, the Nevada Brownfields Workshop will connect you with federal, state, and local experts to assist and support in overcoming land redevelopment challenges specific to Nevada, so you can transform unused land and revitalize your neighborhood! Meet the broad range of speakers, including housing and economic development experts, environmental consultants, and technical assistance providers!

Hosted by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), these workshops will enable you to connect the dots between your idle or contaminated land and the end vision.

Learn More and Register

Webinar: Marketing Your Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)

When:
Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 1:00 pm ET

Where:
Virtual

NDC has partnered with marketing firm DH to host a workshop and discussion on RLF marketing strategies, responding to Community of Practice participants identifying marketing as a key area to improve their RLF’s capacity.

Marketing Your Revolving Loan Fund

Kick Off Meeting: Humboldt County EPA Brownfields Community Assessment Grant

A Pathway to Economic Opportunities for Our Communities

The Kickoff Meeting for the Humboldt County EPA Brownfields Community Assessment Grant was held this week in Winnemucca. The EPA’s Brownfields program provides technical assistance to communities, states, and tribes to assess, safely clean up and sustainably repurpose underutilized or blighted properties.

The redevelopment of vacant or underutilized land is an opportunity for new growth. This grant funding can be a pathway to new economic opportunities, private investment, and improved quality of life for Humboldt and Pershing county residents.

A partnership between Humboldt and Pershing counties, the grant is being administered through Humboldt County and the Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority. As a sub awardee, Western Nevada Development District will assist with community outreach and engagement activities. Converse Consultants is providing the Environmental Consulting Services that will lead the assessment, reuse planning for assessed and/or clean-up sites, and co-develop revitalization strategies.

Five for Friday: July 21, 2023

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 forestry resources, wastewater, workforce development, and cultural enrichment.

Grant Opportunities & More

Urban Forestry: Nature Based Solutions to Extreme Heat and Climate Change

The USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program is a technical, financial, and educational assistance program, delivering nature-based solutions to ensure a resilient and equitable tree canopy where more than 84 percent of Americans live. It is the only dedicated urban forest program in the federal government.

The UCF Program assists State Forestry agencies and partner organizations in addressing and applying nature-based solutions to:

  • Become more resilient to climate change
  • Combat extreme heat with the cooling effects of increased urban tree canopy
  • Experience improved forest health conditions and safer access to tree benefits
  • Attain broadened exposure and access to environmental career pathways

In the State of Nevada, $3 million is available to non-profits, educational institutions of higher learning, any U.S. federally recognized Tribal Organization that is operating within the United States or its territories, and state organizations representing multi-state or national proposals are eligible. Local governments may apply if their proposal includes other local governments/eligible entities.

Grants are up to $500,000 and all grant funds are to be matched at least equally (dollar for dollar) with non- federal match, which may include in-kind donations, volunteer assistance, and private and public (non- federal) monetary contributions.

Next Application Deadline: August 15, 2023

Urban and Community Forestry Program

Application Process

Water and Waste Disposal Loans & Grants

Through the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), rural communities obtain the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses. Good practices can save tax dollars, improve the natural environment, and help manufacturers and businesses to locate or expand operations.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Private nonprofits
  • Federally-recognized tribes
  • Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less

Funds available include long-term, low-interest loans. If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable. Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction, or improvement of facilities and a wide variety of related activities including land acquisition.

Water and Waste Disposal Loans & Grants

Sharing Community and Cultural Stories

The National Endowment for the Humanities Media program supports the development, production, and distribution of radio programs, podcasts, documentary films, and documentary film series that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways.

Projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship and demonstrate an approach that is thoughtful, balanced, and analytical. Media Projects offers two levels of funding: up to $75,000 for Development and up to $700,000 for production.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations recognized as tax-exempt; accredited institutions of higher education (public or nonprofit); state and local governments and their agencies; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Application Deadline: August 9, 2023

Application Overview

FAQs

EDA Announces Recompete Pilot Program

The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete Pilot Program) will invest $200 million in persistently distressed communities to create and connect people to good jobs. This program will create renewed economic opportunity in communities that have been forgotten for too long. To do so, the program targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through large, flexible investments.

This Phase 1 NOFO invites applicants to apply for:

  • Strategy Development Grants
  • Approval of a Recompete Plan
  • Combination of both

Applicants who receive approval of a Recompete Plan in Phase 1 can receive between $250,00 and $500,000 and will be invited to apply to Phase 2. In the Phase 2 NOFO, investments can support a wide range of implementation activities across workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, infrastructure, and additional planning, predevelopment, or technical assistance.

Application Deadline: October 5, 2023

Fact Sheet

Webinar

U.S Bank’s Community Possible Grant Program

The U.S. Bank Foundation focuses grant giving to economic development issues tied to work, home and play with 501c3 nonprofit partners based in and serving designated U.S. Bank communities.

The following factors are among those the foundation will consider:

  • Innovation and/or differentiation in our focus areas of Work, Home and Play
  • Programming and services that advance positive community engagement efforts
  • Demonstrated outcomes and impact
  • Service delivery to low-and moderate-income, women and people of color
  • Diversity in the management and governing board of the organization
  • The financial health of the organization

Grants are available to cover an organization’s day-to-day, ongoing expenses, such as salaries, utilities, office supplies and more. A program or project grant is given to support a specific, connected set of activities, with a beginning and an end, explicit objectives and a predetermined cost. Capital grants are available to develop an organization’s fixed assets.

U.S Bank’s Community Possible Grant Program

In the News:New Event Venue Brings Flexibility to the Region

The Tahoe Blue Event Center Slated to Open in September

The new Tahoe Blue Event Center offers flexible meeting space, unique clubs & balconies and an arena for concerts, sporting events and family shows. The venue also doubles as an event center with exhibit floor. Uniquely, all spaces can be divided into smaller areas for breakouts or catered functions.

Events are already scheduled for September including: National Association of State Park Directors Conference, Lake Tahoe Comic Con, Billy Strings Concert and many more…

Tahoe Blue Event Center is located in beautiful Stateline, NV.

Tahoe Blue Event Center
75 U.S. 50
Stateline, Nevada 89449
775.790.3736

Visit: Tahoe Blue Event Center

Five for Friday: July 7, 2023

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 energy, grant assistance, technology and innovation hubs, and conservation.

Grant Opportunities & More

US DOT Announces Three Grant Programs for Major Surface Transportation Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is now taking applications for up to $5.575 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects of regional or national significance. This funding supports three major discretionary grant programs that involve surface transportation projects designed to strengthen supply chains, spur economic development, and improve safety and daily life.

Available funding includes:
$1.8 billion for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program:

The Mega program supports large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. Eligible projects could include highway, bridge, freight, port, passenger rail, and public transportation projects of national or regional significance.

• $3.1 billion for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Program:

The INFRA program awards competitive grants to multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, accessibility, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas.

• $675 million for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) Program:

The Rural program supports projects that improve and expand our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas in order to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life.

Eligible projects for Rural grants include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that improve freight, safety, and provide or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the rural area economy.

Application Deadline: August 21, 2023

MPDG Program

National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program

Rebuilding America (INFRA) Program

Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) Program

PACE Program Delivers Clean Energy to Rural Communities

With $1 billion in funding, the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program helps make clean, affordable, and reliable energy accessible to the people of rural America. Under PACE, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will forgive up to 60 percent of loans for renewable energy projects that use wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, or biomass, as well as for renewable energy storage projects.

PACE funding makes it more affordable for rural Americans to use clean, reliable energy to heat and cool their homes, run their businesses, and power their cars, schools, and hospitals.

Eligible entities include:

  • Corporations, states, and territories, along with their subdivisions and agencies
  • Municipalities
  • Utility districts
  • Cooperatives
  • Nonprofits
  • Indian Tribes
  • Limited Liability Companies or other for-profit entities

Letters of Interest and Applications Open: July 10, 2023

Fact Sheet

NOFO

HUD Program Supports Main Street Affordable Housing

The HOPE VI Main Street Program provides grants to communities smaller than 50,000 in population to assist in the renovation of a historic, traditional central business district, or “Main Street” area by replacing unused, obsolete, commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. The obsolete building space property may be publicly or privately owned. Eligible applicants under this NOFO are county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments. The local government, whose jurisdiction includes the Main Street area, is the only entity that is eligible to receive an award.

Funding of up to $1 million per project is available.

Application Deadline: October 12, 2023

HOPE VI Main Street Program

Funding Available for In-Demand Nevada STEM Training Programs

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Science Innovation and Technology has opened its eighth round of funding for STEM Workforce Challenge Grants. The purpose of these grants is to spark the creation of lasting partnerships between industry and workforce training providers resulting in sustainable training programs that provide in-demand, industry recognized STEM skills to training recipients that lead to full-time jobs in STEM industries. Funding must be used for capital or programmatic expenses to start or expand a STEM program.

Eligible applicants are Nevada’s Community Colleges or State College, private career colleges located in Nevada that provide technical training, Chambers of Commerce, organizations that specialize in workforce training, Regional Development Authorities, STEM-related businesses, employee associations, and city and county governments.

Application Deadline: August 28, 2023

STEM Workforce Challenge Grant Round XIII

Funding for Conservation, Outdoors and Military Veterans

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are helping shape the future of the outdoors through donations and grant-making. Community giving priorities align with their mission to focus on projects that make a difference in conserving the outdoors and inspiring the next generation of conservation stewards.

Grants support supports:

  • Conserving fish and wildlife: Initiatives that ensure the health of our precious fish and wildlife resources including habitat improvement and restoration, water quality and species health.
  • Introducing new audiences to the outdoors: Programs that foster passion in the next generation including youth and family outdoor adventures, outdoor skills training and multicultural outreach.
  • Protecting hunting and fishing heritage: Projects that protect our hunting and fishing heritage including second amendment rights, outdoor recreational access and conservation advocacy.
  • Military and veterans: Initiatives that care for our military and veterans in honor of their service to our country and our freedom, particularly programs that help military and veterans enjoy the outdoors.

Grants to eligible organizations can total up to $100,000.

Application Deadline: Ongoing

Conservation Education & Outreach Grants

We Need Your Input!

Nevada Workforce Development Needs Assessment

Survey Ends: Friday, June 16, 2023 at 5:00 PM

The University Center for Economic Development (UCED), part of the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, has received a grant from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (GOWINN) to complete a comprehensive assessment of workforce development needs across the state.

As part of this effort, the UCED have developed this survey to collect vital information on your workforce development needs. Please complete as much of this survey as possible no later than 5 PM on Friday, June 16, 2023.

If you have any questions about the survey or this effort, please contact Frederick Steinmann, UCED Director: 775.784.1655 or fred@unr.edu.

Workforce Development Survey

Five for Friday: June 9, 2023

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, access to capital, homeownership, climate change and broadband.

Grant Opportunities & More

Join the Electric Highway:
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program (CFI)

The CFI Grant program provides funding to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and other alternative fueling infrastructure.

This grant program has two tracks:

Corridor Charging: to deploy electric vehicle charging and hydrogen/propane/natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors

Community Charging: to install electric vehicle charging and alternative fuel in locations on public roads, schools, parks, and in publicly accessible parking facilities

Community Charging grants will prioritize rural areas as well as low-and moderate-income neighborhoods with low ratios of private parking, or high ratios of multiunit dwellings.

Project Minimum: $500,000

Application Deadline: June 13, 2023

CFI Program

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Standards and Requirements

Strategic Planning Grants to Address Climate Change

The National Endowment for the Humanities’ Climate Smart Humanities Organizations supports efforts from organizations such as museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, and colleges and universities for comprehensive organizational assessments that lead to strategic climate action and adaptation plans.

Grants of up to $300,000 are available with a 1:1 match required. Through the Climate Smart program, humanities organizations can undertake activities such as energy audits, risk assessments, and meetings with consultants. The resulting climate smart planning will establish goals and prioritize actions that reduce impacts on the environment through mitigation and vulnerability from extreme events through adaptation.

Application Deadline: September 14, 2023

Climate Smart Humanities Organizations

EDA Launches Build to Scale Supporting Innovators, Entrepreneurs, and Startups

The U.S. Economic Development Administration is accepting applications for its $50 million Build to Scale (B2S) Program to support projects that strengthen equitable ecosystems and increase access to capital for innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups. The program strengthens regional economies by supporting scalable startups which help communities and regions grow technology-driven businesses, create high-skill/high-wage jobs, and build industries of the future.

The FY 2023 Build to Scale Program is comprised of two competitions:

Venture Challenge:

Venture Challenge supports programs that enable high-growth technology entrepreneurship and foster inclusive access to proven entrepreneurship support models.

Capital Challenge:

Capital Challenge increases access to capital in communities where risk capital is in short supply by providing operational support for early-stage investment funds, networks, and training programs that focus on both traditional and hybrid equity-based financing.

Application Deadline: July 28, 2023

Build to Scale (B2S) Program

Venture Challenge

Capital Challenge

NOFO

Apply Here

USDA Rural Development Programs Highlight Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month!

As part of this nationwide celebration, USDA Rural Development (RD) is showcasing programs that help people in rural and Tribal areas buy, build and repair affordable homes in America’s smallest towns and communities.

The USDA has invested $37 billion to help nearly 216,000 families and individuals through RD’s Single Family Housing programs:

Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program: provides loans directly to families and individuals to buy or build homes in rural America

Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program: enables USDA to partner with private lending institutions, backing their loans to help families and individuals buy homes in rural areas

Home Repair Loan and Grant Program: provides loans and grants to help families and individuals repair their homes to make them safer, healthier places to live

Mutual Self-Help Housing Grant Program: provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects

Single Family Housing Programs

Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans

Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants

Single Family Housing Rural Disaster Home Repair Grants

Community Connect Grants Provide Internet Access and Economic Opportunities

The USDA’s 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:

  • Incorporated organizations
  • Federally recognized Tribes
  • State and local units of government
  • Any other legal entity, including cooperatives, private corporations, or limited liability companies organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis

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 all participating essential community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, public libraries, and public safety stations).

The Community Connect program helps rural communities receive access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for people and businesses.

Application Deadline: June 20, 2023

Community Connect Program

NOFO

WNDD Awarded EDA Partnership Planning Grant

WNDD to Receive $240,000

The U.S. Economic Development Administration this week announced a $240,000 Partnership Planning grant for the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) for FY2023 thru FY2025. This EDA planning investment supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the region served by WNDD, which consists of nine counties and six municipalities. The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.

WNDD members and local stakeholders recently participated in a workshop facilitated by the University Center for Economic Development, part of the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno to evaluate and update WNDD’s 2020 through 2025 CEDS. These funds will help sustain these collaborative regional planning efforts.

2023 CEDS Workshop

EDA Planning Program

USDA Webinars: Inflation Reduction Act

USDA Announces Webinars on Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Advance Clean Energy Initiatives in Rural America

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a series of webinars to help organizations learn how to apply for financial assistance to advance clean, affordable and reliable electric energy in rural America.

USDA recently announced $10.7 billion in funding available under the USDA Powering Affordable Clean Energy (USDA PACE) and Empowering Rural America (New ERA) programs.

Eligible organizations may apply for loans, grants, loan modifications and partially forgivable loans. The Biden-Harris Administration made this historic funding possible through the Inflation Reduction Act. It will expand clean, affordable and reliable energy in rural communities, including U.S. territories and Compact of Freely Associated States.

USDA staff will host webinars via Zoom at the following dates and times:

USDA PACE Program and Eligibility Mapping Overview June 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM PT

A New ERA Program and Greenhouse Gas Calculator Overview June 8, 2023 at 11:00 AM PT

Office Hours for USDA PACE and New ERA Programs June 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM PT

Webinar: June 6, 2023

Webinar: June 8, 2023

Office Hours: June 22, 2023

Stakeholder Announcement