Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities – November 2021
In our Nevada Speed Test edition of Five for Friday (Be counted and be connected at NevadaSpeedTest.org) we share economic development grants and loans which can help revitalize and build sustainability in urban, rural, and tribal communities. In this edition, the Western Nevada Development District shares grant programs that can help rural broadband connectivity, bolster school nutrition programs with locally-sourced food and promote water efficiency in the arid West.
ReConnect Program
US Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development recently announced that it will begin accepting applications on November 24, 2021, for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband in rural areas. $350 million in grant funding – with no matching funds requirement – is being made available for Tribal governments and socially vulnerable communities.
Application Deadline: February 22, 2022
Telecommunications Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for loans and loan guarantees to build or update broadband and telephone infrastructure in rural areas where financing can be used for the construction, improvement, or expansion of telecommunications infrastructure serving rural areas with a population of 5,000 or less.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Telecommunications Infrastructure Program
Farm to School Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Food and Nutrition Service Grants to plan, establish, and/or sustain a Farm to School program that improves access to local foods and nutrition/agriculture resources in schools. A Frequently Asked Questions document will also be available through the Farm to School Grant Applicant Resources Page of the FNS website. Please keep an eye on The Dirt e-newsletter for updates about the Farm to School Grant application!
Application Deadline: January 10, 2022
WaterSMART
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR.gov)
Through WaterSMART, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation works cooperatively with states, tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure. Through WaterSMART, Reclamation provides financial assistance to water managers for projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the western United States. Up to $2 million is available for projects that must be completed within three years.
Application deadline: December 9, 2021
Investing in Food
America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative offers resources such as grants, loans, technical assistance services, programming, and other forms of support to projects that will improve access to fresh, healthy foods in underserved rural and urban areas. The Targeted Small Grants Program (TSG Program) is making available at least $4 million will be available for grants for innovative fresh food retail and food system enterprises Grants will range from $20,000 to $200,000.
Letters of Interest due: December 7, 2021
America’s Healthy Food Finance Initiative
