USDA Invests $1 Billion to Improve Community Infrastructure in Rural Towns

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Funding Will Increase Access to Health Care, Education and Public Safety in Rural Communities

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that USDA is investing $1 billion to build and improve critical community facilities in 48 states, Puerto Rico and Guam. This infrastructure funding will increase access to health care, education and public safety while spurring community development and building sound infrastructure for people living in rural communities.

USDA Deputy Secretary, Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, stated that investing in infrastructure improvements is a top priority of the current administration. This announcement makes loans and grants available to assist rural communities invest in facilities and services that are deemed vital such as: health care facilities, schools, libraries, and first responder vehicles and equipment.

The announcement highlighted 731 projects under five over-arching programs:
• Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants
• Community Facilities Loan Guarantees
• Community Facilities Technical Assistance Training Grants
• Community Facilities Disaster Grants
• Economic Impact Initiative Grants

Nevada Congressman, Mark Amodei has been integral in securing $8.1M of the Community Facilities Direct Loan for the Elko Institute for Academic Achievement.

Learn More

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities September 3, 2021

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Collected by the Western Nevada Development District

Economic development grants and loans can help revitalize and build sustainability in urban, rural, and tribal communities. Strategic investments help support local economies, create jobs, and attract private investments to better residents’ lives. Every first Friday, the Western Nevada Development District will share our Five for Friday; grant programs from a variety of sources that can help the region expand workforce training and capacity, support rural community projects and improve mobility for underserved populations.

 

STEM Talent Challenge Program

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is seeking applications to create and implement innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) work-based learning models that complement their respective region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge seeks to develop or expand regional workforce capacity to support high-growth, high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future, and other innovation-driven businesses that have a high likelihood of accelerating economic competitiveness and job creation in their respective regions and in the United States. Must provide matching share equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost; i.e., applicants must match each dollar requested with at least one dollar of applicant match. Up to $250,000 per request.

Deadline: October 12, 2021

STEM Challenge Program Details

 

Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program

The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. The grants are aimed to inspire community engagement for economic and social change by aligning their projects and collaborate on community priorities. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization.

Deadline: Ongoing

Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program Details

 

T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program

This is intended to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities throughout the United States. Up to 100 towns each year for the next five years will receive community improvement grants of up to $50,000 each. Examples of eligible projects include revitalizing a town hall, a senior center, a local little league field, a library, or any space where friends and neighbors gather. Elected leaders, town managers and employees, and nonprofit leaders are eligible to submit applications. Requests will be reviewed quarterly.

Deadline: Ongoing

T-Mobile Program Application

 

Federal Transit Administration National Center for Mobility Management Grants and Assistance

The Federal Transit Administration National Center for Mobility Management is offering grants and technical assistance to support communities that are ready to take concrete steps toward implementing transportation solutions to help underserved residents become more fully engaged in economic opportunities, improve their health and well-being, and/or become more integrated into their community.

Deadline: October 15, 2021

NCMM Funding Guidelines

 

USDA Rural Energy Grants

Applications for the USDA Rural Energy Grants is now open for renewable energy systems and the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements. The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Deadlines:

Applications for Grants of $20,000 or Less and Loan/Grant of $20,000 or Less Combo Applications due by Nov. 1, 2021, or March 31, 2022.

Applications for Unrestricted Grants or Loan/Unrestricted Grant Combo Applications due by March 31, 2022.

USDA Rural Energy Grants Funding Guidelines

Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities Collected by the Western Nevada Development District

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Economic development grants and loans can help revitalize and build sustainability in urban, rural, and tribal communities. Strategic investments help support local economies, create jobs, and attract private investments to better residents’ lives. Every first Friday, the Western Nevada Development District will share our Five for Friday; grant programs from a variety of sources that can help kickstart a business, raise up a neighborhood or build broadband connectivity.

Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge

USDA is making available up to $3 million in cooperative agreements under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC). Qualified entities can use the funds to help rural communities create plans to enhance capacity for broadband access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support the development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces. The grant program emphasizes partnerships and collaboration among public, private, and philanthropic and community partners. USDA is offering a Webinar on the grant program on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. PDT. Click here to register. Grant application deadline is July 26. Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge | Rural Development (usda.gov)

USDA Loan and Microenterprise Program

USDA Rural Development funding provides loans and grants to microenterprise development organizations to help them establish revolving loan programs to assist microenterprises and businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees. Application Deadline: June 30, 2021.  Click here for more information and to apply.

Building Broadband Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is making available $288 million in grant funding to deploy broadband infrastructure. Grants will be awarded to partnerships between a state or political subdivisions of a state and providers of fixed broadband service. Projects should be designed to provide broadband service to the greatest number of households in an eligible service area with an emphasis on rural service. NTIA is holding a series of webinars on June 9 and 10 to inform the public about the program further. More information about the program, including requirements for grant applications, can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity

American Rescue Plan: Museums and Libraries Grants  

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced a new funding opportunity for $15 million in support for museums, libraries, and Native American and Native Hawaiian communities. The federal investment will provide direct support to address community needs created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and in assisting with recovery. Projects may continue, enhance, or expand existing programs and services, or they may launch new ones to address emergent needs and unexpected hardships. Equal matching funds are required. Award amounts range from $10,000 – $50,000. The deadline for submitting applications is June 28, 2021, with award announcements anticipated in October 2021. A free informational webinar will be made available on-demand on the IMLS website.

A Community Thrives

This grantmaking and crowdfunding program of USA TODAY NETWORK with funding from the Gannett Foundation, invests in community-building initiatives across the country. The program is a way to share community improvement ideas on the national stage, gain support through donations and local connections.  During the campaign, nonprofit organizations have the chance to raise funds for their charities on their official A Community Thrives challenge page. At the end of the crowdfunding period, the Gannett Foundation will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $100,000 to selected organizations. Deadline:  nonprofit organizations and municipal programs such as libraries and schools are encouraged to apply between before June 30.  Click here for more information on this opportunity.

WNDD Economic Recovery Update – May 2021

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The May 2021 edition of the Western Nevada Development District’s Economic Recovery & Resiliency Update features a variety of information you can use.

Here are key takeaways:

1. The WNDD’s Economic Recovery and Resiliency Council, with its associated team members, supported by WNDD staff, identified four broad target areas needing focus and attention to recover from COVID-19 and become more resilient to future economic shocks.

2. Nevada is beginning to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The booming housing market, the return of notable events in Reno, the Washoe County gaming win, projected statewide revenue projections, and increased traffic at the Reno Tahoe International Airport are a few metrics we analyzed across the state.

3. The WNDD Board of Directors will review an update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and rankings of more than 30 projects related to the strategy at its June 28 meeting.

4.  In May, the Department of Treasury announced its Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds guidelines. The stimulus money marks one of the most significant infusions of federal dollars into the state in history.

This monthly newsletter is part of WNDD’s effort to identify and develop strategies to create and build a more resilient economy in our region, plus the latest in available grant opportunities.

To read the full report.

WNDD Economic Recovery Update

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14 Ways Western Nevada Can Become More Resilient

Greetings Fellow Nevadans,

In the April 2021 edition of the Western Nevada Development District’s Economic Recovery & Resiliency Update, you’ll find a variety of information you can use, including:

– Resiliency and recovery tips from national experts
– Funding provided to WNDD members via the American Rescue Plan
– What the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Council is up to
– Data and information regarding economic recovery
– Grant and funding opportunities
– And more!

This monthly newsletter is part of WNDD’s effort to identify and develop strategies to create and build a more resilient economy in our region.

Read the Update!

Rural Relief Small Business Grants

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There’s still time to participate the in the next round of the Rural Relief Small Business Grants program presented by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and supported by Lowe’s.

Before you apply, please note:

Only small businesses located in rural communities are eligible at this time. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. A community is defined as the city/town/village where your business address is located. If the business is mobile (a food truck, fishing boat, ride share driver, etc.), please use the address where your vehicle is stored during non-business hours.

All potential applicants are encouraged to review the FAQ and Grant Information before applying. This program is separate from previous small business grant applications from LISC.

You must submit a new application each round to be considered for a Rural Relief Small Business Grant.

Deadline for this round is: Monday, November 2, 2020.

Nevada Commuting Patterns

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Michael Dominguez and Thomas R. Harris have just released a technical report containing valuable data on Commuting Patterns in Nevada.

Michael Dominquez is a Research Associate at the University Center for Economic Development at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Thomas R. Harris is a Professor in the Department of Economics and Director of the University Center for Economic Development at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The report contains statistical data, by county, on where residents live vs work, number of households, median income, percentage of households with a computer, percentage of households with broadband internet, annual unemployment rates, and education levels.

Download the complete document here: Nevada Commuting Patterns

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

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Congress Passes Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

As small businesses in the United States continue to be impacted by COVID-19, Congress successfully passed the CARES Act which is intended to assist business owners through various provisions. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers.

A guide has been complied to help provide information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

Guide Topics

• Paycheck Protection Program Loans
• Small Business Debt Relief Program
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Emergency Economic Injury Grants
• Small Business Counseling
• Small Business Contracting
• Small Business Tax Provisions

See the Small Business Guide to CARES Act.

For more information visit: SBA

WNDD Announces Four-Month Grace Period On Business Micro-Loans

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On March 20, 2020, the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) announced that it is extending a four-month grace period to businesses that are part of its Micro-loan program.

The WNDD provides short and long term, fixed rate, low interest loans to qualified borrowers interested in the creation of new small businesses or the expansion or retention of existing small businesses.

“We have a half-dozen businesses that have been using our program,” said WNDD President Roy Edgington, City of Fernley Mayor. “All are facing unprecedented challenges in the face of mandatory statewide business closures. This action is to reduce the stress and burden to make these loan payments when the flow of revenue has virtually stopped or been drastically reduced.”

The Micro-loan Program is designed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. The Program provides affordable, non-conventional financing to eligible small businesses that are not able to receive funding elsewhere. Businesses receiving these funds will in turn be required to produce a sufficient number of net new jobs, or in the case of business retention, retain existing jobs.

“Once we clear the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be ready to assist these and other businesses rebound through our Micro-loan Program,” Edgington said.

For more information contact: Sheryl Gonzales at: 775.473.6753 or SGonzales@WNDD.org.

The Results Are In!

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SAVEYOUR.Town has released the results of its 2019 Survey of Rural Challenges.

The survey asks rural communities to identify their most significant local challenges they would like assistance correcting, and what steps they are currently taking to address the issues.
Typically, the results from this survey are different than common themes in media coverage and policy conversation around rural communities. And as many rural residence know, the larger public perception of the happenings in rural communities is inaccurate.

In fact the top 5 Rural Community Challenges don’t include topics like opioid addiction or poverty. They are:

  • Losing young people
  • Downtown is dead
  • Not enough good housing
  • Need new residents
  • No one shops in town

Learn more about the survey!