Five for Friday: December 15, 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 freight and passenger infrastructure, clean energy, rural housing loans, climate challenges and resiliency.
Grant Opportunities & More
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for FY2024. RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that may be harder to support through other USDOT grant programs.
First RAISE Webinar: December 19, 2023 at 11:30 am PT
RAISE Webinar Registration and More
Agencies Seek Input on How Clean Energy Initiatives Can Benefit Farmers, Rural Americans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host a series of listening sessions this winter. The agencies invite perspectives on the benefits and challenges of the rapidly increasing levels of clean energy being sited on agricultural lands and in rural communities. SDA and DOE seek feedback directly from a diverse set of stakeholders about what the agencies can do through their leadership, program guidance, or research and information sharing to encourage positive clean energy siting outcomes that benefit farmers, rural Americans, the renewable energy industry and others.
Stakeholders can register to participate in public listening sessions that are available virtually. Register below.
Listening Sessions:
• Government Permitting and Policy Representatives (state, county, and local levels): January 12, 2024, 9:30 to 11:00 am PT
• Agricultural Producers: January 16, 2024, 7:00 to 8:30 am PT
• All Stakeholders and Members of the Public: January 16, 2024, 11:30 to 1:00 pm PT
• Rural Electric Coops and Clean Energy Developers: January 17, 2024, Noon to 1:30 pm PT
Government Permitting and Policy Representatives
All Stakeholders and Members of the Public
Rural Electric Coops and Clean Energy Developers
Submit Written Comments by January 20, 2024
Rural Housing Site Loans Help Low to Moderate Income Families
The USDA’s Rural Housing site loans provide two types of loans to purchase and develop housing sites:
• Section 523 Loans: To acquire and develop sites only for housing to be constructed using the Self-Help method
• Section 524 Loans: To acquire and develop sites for low- or moderate-income families, with no restriction as to the method of construction
Eligible applicants are private or public nonprofit organizations that will provide sites solely for self-help housing sold to low- or moderate-income families.
You can apply through your local RD office.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
USDA Rural Development Self Help Housing Program
Now Open: Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants) are accepting applications for $2 billion in grants to fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.
This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come.
There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity:
Track I: will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million to $20 million.
Track II: will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million to $3 million.
Application Deadline: November 21, 2024. Reviewed on a rolling basis.
Learn More About Environmental Justice
Build for the Future Funding Navigator
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Funding Navigator provides a list of funding opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and others across federal agencies to support efforts to enhance climate resiliency, energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, healthy housing, workforce development and environmental justice in HUD supported communities, programs and properties.
You can use the tool to find open and upcoming opportunities, including funding status and where to apply, for funds to implement projects that reduce energy use and strengthen resiliency in communities.
