WEBINAR: Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)

/in , , , /by

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

The USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other – and the world – overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Projects are encouraged that promote equity and economic opportunity in rural America, specifically those that advance these key priorities:

• Supporting health care needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, and helping prepare for future pandemic events

• Ensuring racial equity

• Rebuilding our rural economy

• Addressing the climate crisis

DLT Grant Information

Webinar Registration

Five for Friday: December 2, 2022

/in , , /by

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 manufacturing, preservation, incentives and infrastructure.

Grant Opportunities & More

The New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program)

The New Market Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program) incentivizes community development and economic growth through the use of tax credits that attract private investment to distressed communities. The Program aims to break the cycle of disinvestment and reinvigorate struggling local economies.

The NMTC Program attracts private capital by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax in exchange for making equity investments in specialized financial intermediaries called Community Development Entities (CDEs). The credit totals 39% of the original investment amount and is claimed over a period of seven years.

Application Deadline: January 26, 2023

NMTC Program

 

Historic Preservation Fund – Semiquincentennial Grants

National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund Grant Program supports the physical preservation of a broad variety of cultural resources associated with the founding of America as a nation in commemoration of the country’s semiquincentennial (250th anniversary). Funded projects will preserve National Register listed, State owned, cultural resources related to the founding of the nation.

These grants will fund physical preservation to National Register listed historic properties including buildings, sites, structures, objects, or historic districts. Grants are awarded through a competitive process and do not require non-Federal match, though match may be considered as a competitive factor.

Application Deadline: December 6, 2022

Historic Preservation Fund – Semiquincentennial Grants

 

Solid Waste Management Grants

USDA Rural Development offers funds to organizations to provide technical assistance and/or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas.

Projects can include:
• Evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources
• Provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active landfills
• Provide technical assistance or training to help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill
• Provide technical assistance or training to prepare for closure and future use of a landfill site

Application Deadline: December 31, 2022

Solid Waste Management Grants

Fact Sheet

 

Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants

USDA Rural Development provides funds for organizations that assist communities with water and/or waste operations through technical assistance and training. This program helps qualified, private nonprofits provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems; helps applicants prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants; and helps associations improve the operation and maintenance of water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas.

Application Deadline: December 31, 2022

Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants

Fact Sheet

 

Walmart Foundation Community Grant Program

The Walmart foundation offers grants to support local needs in their service area. Grants range from $250 to $5,000. Organizations can submit up to 25 applications. Open to non-profits, state, county or city government including first responders, and schools.

Funding areas include:

• Community and Economic Development
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Education
• Environmental Sustainability
• Health and Human Service
• Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating
• Public Safety
• Quality of Life

Application Deadline: December 31, 2022

Walmart Foundation Community Grant Program

ReConnect Round 4 – Public Notice Filings

/in , , , /by

USDA Opens Portal

USDA Rural Development has opened its Public Notice Filing (PNF) and Public Notice Response (PNR) Portal for the ReConnect Round 4 Proposed Funded Service Areas. Individuals may now view and respond to any PNF published in the portal. Additionally, the PNF/PNR User Guide and PNF Portal Demo have been posted to assist users in navigating the portal and how to submit a response.

Public Notice Filing Portal

User Guide

Portal Demonstration

Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) Funding Opportunity

/in , , /by

Webinar for Stakeholders: December 13, 2022

The Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) initiative funding is earmarked to implement multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. SECD is a funding opportunity designed to encourage and advance regional community and economic strategic planning.

Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in broadband, businesses, community facilities, infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation.

The FY23 SECD reserve funds programs include:

• Community Connect
• Community Facilities
• Rural Business Development Grants
• Water and Environmental Programs

Participation is encouraged for all stakeholders that support regional community and economic development, strategic planning, and seek funding to assist rural communities in efforts to improve and thrive.

Webinar: December 13, 2022, 11:00 am PT

Webinar Registration

Stakeholder Announcement

Five for Friday: November 18, 2022

/in , , , /by

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 and infrastructure.

 

Grant Opportunities & More

Rural Energy for America Program

The USDA Rural Development provides funding for agriculture producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Eligible entities include agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations and Small businesses in eligible rural areas; communities of less than 50,000. Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as:

• Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels)
• Geothermal for electric generation or direct use
• Hydropower below 30 megawatts
• Hydrogen
• Small and large wind generation
• Small and large solar generation

Application Deadline: March 31, 2023

Rural Energy for America Program

 

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs provide economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs. Projects funded by these programs will support the mission of the Department by, among other things, leading to the creation and retention of jobs and increased private investment, advancing innovation, enhancing the manufacturing capacities of regions, providing workforce development opportunities, and growing ecosystems that attract foreign direct investment. EDA solicits applications from applicants in order to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works program and EAA programs.

There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until a new PWEAA NOFO is published, this PWEAA NOFO is cancelled, or all funds have been expended.

Application Deadline: None

PWEAA NOFO Information

 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

The Federal Emergency Management Administration’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program guiding principles are supporting communities through capability- and capacity-building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency.

Through BRIC, FEMA continues to invest in a variety of mitigation activities with an added focus on infrastructure projects benefitting disadvantaged communities, nature based solutions, climate resilience and adaption, and adopting hazard resistant building codes.
Subapplicants should check with their respective State Hazard Mitigation Officer or Applicant’s Office on any additional deadlines.

Application Deadline: January 27, 2023

BRIC Grant

FEMA Handbook

 

Energy Department Announces $35 Million To Deploy Clean Energy on Tribal Lands and Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings

Under two funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) aimed at unlocking the benefits of clean energy for Native communities, the DOE will award a total of $35 million to Indian Tribes to:
• Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands (DE-FOA-0002774)
• Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings (DE-FOA-0002771)
According to the DOE This funding will promote Tribal energy and economic development by helping Native communities unlock the benefits that come with the deployment of clean energy. The Office of Indian Energy will host informational webinars to provide potential applicants with detailed information on both FOAs. Registration is required.

Application Deadline Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands (DE-FOA-0002774): February 9, 2023 at 2 pm PT

Application Deadline Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings (DE-FOA-0002771): February 23, 2023 at 2 pm PT

Webinar Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands: November 29, 2023, 12 to 2 pm PT

Webinar Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings: December 1, 2022, 12 to 2 pm PT

FO: Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands

FO: Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings

Registration: Webinar Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands

Registration: Webinar Webinar Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings

 

Grants for Improving Cycling Infrastructure

The Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI) is a competitive grant program that will foster catalytic change in city cycling infrastructure around the world. The Initiative aims to promote this healthy, efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation available. Unfortunately, in too many cities, cycling infrastructure remains disconnected, incomplete, and in need of innovation.

Led in partnership with the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), BICI will:

• Fund ambitious cycling infrastructure projects by providing grants of $400k USD to $1M USD
• Refine project plans by connecting winning cities with world-class technical assistance from GDCI
• Implement projects and track progress by training city leaders on data collection, resident engagement and other industry best practices
• Connect cities with a global network of peer

Application Deadline: February 3, 2023

Global Designing Cities Initiative GDCI

GDCI Information and Application Forms

Thriving Communities Program

/in , , /by

Grant Opportunity – Department of Transportation

The Thriving Communities Program is focused on three components:

• Main Streets
• Complete Neighborhoods
• Networked Communities

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) invites Letters of Interest from eligible applicants interested in receiving two years of technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support from the Thriving Communities Program (TCP). This step will help applicants compete for federal aid and deliver quality infrastructure projects that enable their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.

Eligibility: Letters of Interest must be submitted by a state, local, or Tribal unit of government or similar. Non-profit Main Street programs can encourage local or state governments to apply and be a part of the local partnership. Applicants must include a lead applicant and at least two community partner organizations.

Letter of Interest Deadline: December 6, 2022

Identifying Disadvantaged Communities

Information for Communities

WNDD: Here to Assist Your Community

• Write grant applications for state, federal and other funding.

• Assist grant administrators and internet service providers in verifying the impact of their programs and intended targets in real time without relying on out-of-date historical maps.

• Check if broadband deployments and related grant programs are meeting expectations.

• Identify areas of broadband need and produce design and cost estimates for projects covering fiber, fixed wireless and hybrid options.

• Contribute to more detailed broadband design studies by GEO Partners at the county and city level (future studies).

In the News: Small Communities Win Big – $1 Million in Grants

/in , , /by

$1 Million Available Thru HOPE IV Main Street Program

The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) of $1 Million through the HOPE VI Main Street Program.

This grant program provides assistance to smaller communities in the development of affordable housing that is undertaken in connection with a Main Street revitalization effort.

Program Objectives:
• Redevelop central business districts (Main Street areas)
• Preserve historic or traditional Main Street area properties by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units
• Enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas
• Provide affordable housing in Main Street areas

Eligible applicants are limited to Units of General Local Governments with a population of 50,000 or less and 100 or fewer physical housing units within its jurisdiction and who have an existing Main Street rejuvenation project already in progress.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2023

HOPE VI Main Street Program

Five for Friday: November 4, 2022

/in , , /by

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, mobility, rural microlending and more.

Grant Opportunities & More

Manufactured Housing Pilot Program Renewed

The USDA’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program assists low and very low income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability. Payment assistance is a type of subsidy that reduces the mortgage payment for a short time. The amount of assistance for this pilot program is determined by the adjusted family income. Loan funds may be used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities.

Application Deadline: Open until November 4, 2024

Manufactured Housing Pilot Program

 

FY 2023 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants

Guidelines are now available for EPA grants offered by the Brownfields Program used to address sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum) and petroleum. Assessment provides funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.

Application Deadline: November 22, 2022

Types of EPA Brownfield Grant Funding

Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant

 

Community Mobility Solutions for Economic Health

The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) recognizes the vital role transportation plays in all activities that support the empowerment of individuals across the board. Yet often community transportation systems lack the resources and/or strategies to provide the level of mobility to residents that they would like to. The 2023 Ready-to-Launch Grants, funded by the Federal Transportation Administration, of up to $75,000 will allow communities to pilot a promising mobility solution, the development of which was inspired and informed by the results of community research. The solution being proposed must be a new idea, not the expansion or continuation of an existing service.

Application Deadline: November 23, 2022

National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)

NCMM Application

 

Want to Give Business a Boost? Learn About the USDA’s Rural Microlending Program

Nonprofits, federally recognized tribes and institutions of higher education are eligible entities to administer the USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program as a Microenterprise Development Organization (MDO). Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural microentrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually. Loans of $50,000 – $500,000 may be used to establish a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the MDO.

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:
• Working capital
• Debt refinancing
• Purchase equipment and supplies
• Improve real estate

Application Deadline: Open

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program

Fact Sheet

 

Building Cultural and Community Resilience

The National Endowment for the Humanities Cultural and Community Resilience program supports community-based efforts to mitigate climate change and COVID-19 pandemic impacts, safeguard cultural resources, and foster cultural resilience through identifying, documenting, and/or collecting cultural heritage and community experience. The program prioritizes projects from disadvantaged communities in the United States or its jurisdictions, and NEH encourages applications that employ inclusive methodologies.

Maximum award amount is $150,000.

Application Deadline: January 12, 2023

Building Cultural and Community Resilience

 

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.

 

 

USDA Seeks Rural Input on Accessibility to Inflation Reduction Act Funding

/in , , /by

Virtual Listening Event: November 3rd & 4th

USDA is seeking public input on how to use Inflation Reduction Act funding to advance clean energy for people in rural America. This commitment to cleaner energy will help USDA Rural Development provide resources to reduce climate pollution and ensure that communities have access to a clean, secure energy supply to keep rural people and economies prepared for the future.

Inflation Reduction Act strives to reduce energy costs for families and create thousands of good-paying jobs for people across rural America.

USDA is hosting two virtual listening sessions to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and other interested parties to submit comments. Tribes and Tribal utilities are invited to join these sessions. USDA will announce a Tribal-specific listening session or consultation in the near future.

Registration is required and the listening sessions will be recorded and made publicly available.

Virtual Session: Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PT

This session is for rural communities, rural small businesses, and agricultural producers including renewable energy generation providers, distribution utilities, transportation fueling facilities, fuel distribution facilities, environmental, community and consumer groups, industry associations, and Federal, state, and local government and agencies.

Friday, November 4, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PT

The Friday session focuses on rural electric cooperatives and related stakeholders as described above.

Interested parties may also submit written comments on or before Monday, November 28, 2022.

USDA Virtual Listening Event Information

November 3rd Registration

November 4th Registration

Five for Friday: October 21, 2022

/in , , , /by

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 workforce development, infrastructure and broadband.

Grant Opportunities & More

New Data Analysis Tool Helps Determine Grant Eligibility and Critical Recovery Needs

In partnership with the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), Argonne has developed the National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE) to help a variety of users across the country with local economic recovery and resilience analysis. The NERDE consolidates information and data on economic distress criteria, COVID-19 impacts to local economies, and the existence and emergence of industry clusters. The searchable information is displayed at the Economic Development District (EDD) and county levels in two separate dashboard tools. These data also help inform communities on the types of criteria that may indicate eligibility for EDA assistance

National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE)

 

USDA seeks qualified small businesses to support research toward commercial opportunities in agriculture!

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The programs provide equity-free funding and entrepreneurial support at the earliest stages of company and technology development in categories including:

• Plant Production and Protection (Biology)
• Animal Production and Protection
• Conservation of Natural Resources
• Rural and Community Development
• Aquaculture • Biofuels and Biobased Products
• Small and Mid-size Farms

Awards range up to $181,000

Phase I Application Deadline: October 25, 2022

SBIR/STTR Grant Information

Phase I

 

USDA Learning Program Grants look to increase knowledge of agriculture and improve the nutritional health of children.

The purpose of the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program is to increase the knowledge of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health of children. The program’s goal is to increase the capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community engagement between farms and school systems by bringing together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system. The initiative is part of a broader effort to not only increase access to school meals for low-income children, but also to dramatically improve their quality.

Awards range up to $225,000 (No match required)

Application Deadline: December 8, 2022

Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program

FASLP Funding Information

 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

FEMA’s BRIC grant program give states, local communities, tribes and territories funding to address future risks to natural disasters, including ones involving: wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme heat, and flooding. Addressing these risks helps make communities more resilient. On Oct. 7, 2022, FEMA announced an increase in program accessibility for communities for the fiscal year 2022 to benefit underserved communities with challenges meeting the Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) requirement when accessing funding through Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs. Eligible states, territories and federally recognized tribal governments can submit applications on behalf of subapplicants for BRIC funding via FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO). This is the grants management system to support FEMA grant programs.

Application Deadline: January 27, 2023

BRIC Grants

 

Annual Economic Outlook Forum: October 26, 2022

Futures Event Highlights Humboldt & Pershing County Economies

Nevada US-95 I-80 Futures presents the annual economic outlook for these crossroads communities in the Pershing/ Humboldt County region on Wednesday, October 26 at the Boys and Girls Club of Winnemucca. Speakers representing leading businesses will share up-to-the minute information, trends, expansions, and their company’s outlook and growth for the upcoming year. The key theme of this year’s Futures Forum is community capacity building to support businesses so they might survive and thrive. Presented by the Nevada 95-80 Regional Development Authority the event is free to attend.

Annual Economic Outlook Forum: October 26, 2022

Register Today!