Latest News
All the news that is relevant for the WNDD Region
Aims To Provide Affordable, Reliable High-Speed Internet To All Americans By 2030
The Biden-Harris Administration launched an Internet for All initiative, investing $45 billion to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade. The initiative will be administered and implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
The program will build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills, and provide the necessary technology to ensure that everyone in America—including communities of color, rural communities, and older Americans—has the access and skills to participate in today’s society fully.
The Internet for All program includes three Notices of Funding Opportunities:
• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program: $42.5 billion
• Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program: $1 billion
• State Digital Equity Act programs: $1.5 billion
Take The Nevada Speed Test Today to Support Nevada’s Digital Economy
Nevada’s digital economy is only as strong as the broadband infrastructure that supports it. That’s why the Nevada Speed Test, spearheaded by WNDD, is so important.
The Nevada Speed Test aims to ensure that every home and business in Western Nevada has access to affordable, adequate, and reliable high-speed internet. This is essential for participating in a digital economy and society.
The Nevada Speed Test relies on participation from businesses and households in the WNDD region to be successful. The data provided through nevadaspeedtest.org can guide funding distribution to boost Western Nevada’s broadband connectivity in the coming years.
The clock is ticking!
The mapping program’s software license will expire in October 2022. With less than five months to go, participating jurisdictions in the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) region are roughly 6,500 tests short of meeting the minimum objective of 4% of households taking the test.
Outreach and promotion are vital to spreading the word about the Nevada Speed Test and encouraging participation. WNDD has been working with local governments, community organizations, and the media to help promote the Nevada Speed Test. So far, KOLO 8 News, Channel 2 News, Northern Nevada Business Weekly, and others have covered the Broadband Mapping Project.
Recent and ongoing efforts to market the Nevada Speed Test include sending individual requests to WNDD members, senior centers, community centers, libraries, school districts, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, and other groups.
The project’s lead sponsor is Uprise Fiber, an associate member of WNDD.
Be Counted!
Take the Nevada Speed Test Today!
How the Map Works
The interactive map is progressively taking shape as residents take the Nevada Speed Test and may be viewed at nevadaspeedtest.org
Each speed test is shown on the map as a dot, and the color of the dot indicates the download and upload speeds.
Collected by the Western Nevada Development District
Curated by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), this Friday round up, focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of infrastructure, equity in housing, emergency management resources and workforce development.
Grant Opportunities & More
US Department of Transportation (DOT) – Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
DOT released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the SS4A discretionary grant program, which comprises Action Plan Grants and Implementation Grants.
Eligible activities include:
• Develop or update a comprehensive safety Action Plan
• Conduct planning, design, and development activities in support of an Action Plan
• Carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan
Eligible applicants include metropolitan planning organizations, political subdivisions of States, federally recognized Tribal governments and multijurisdictional groups comprised of the aforementioned entities.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2022 at 2:00pm PT
Fannie Mae – Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge
Fannie Mae has announced the Call for Ideas is open for The Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge 2022: Advancing Racial Equity in Housing. This is a new competition to identify projects that advance equity in rental and homebuying experiences for Black households. Fannie Mae will select projects and execute contracts with public, private, and nonprofit sector organizations, as well as individuals and teams.
Application Deadline: June 17, 2022 at 5:00pm PT
Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge
Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge Guide
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Resource Guides
FEMA Region 9 has provided a compilation of resources to be shared with communities and colleagues within the region to serve as guides.
The purpose of these documents is to provide State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal governments with an overview of resources and programs capable of being used to respond to and recover from the impacts of natural disasters, human-made disasters, public health emergencies, economic hardships, humanitarian crisis, security issues, expanding incidents, and complex emergencies.
Please use as a starting point for research and note that information is constantly changing. For the most up-to-date information, visit the individual organization’s website or work directly with the relevant entity.
US Environmental Protection – Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants
NEW: EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Grant Program is refocusing the competition on training activities that support assessment, cleanup, and preparation of brownfields sites for reuse. As part of that change, the former Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program will now be called the Brownfields Job Training Program.
Eligible entities including nonprofit organizations, to deliver Brownfields Job Training (JT) programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental fields.
The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization will also host an outreach webinar on June 15, 2022, from 11:00 am to 12:30pm PT to explain the guidelines for interested applicants and to address commonly asked questions.
Application Deadline: August 2, 2022
Webinar June 15, 2022, 11:00am to 12:30pm PT
Brownfields Job Training Grants
In the News: Driving it home…
Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) – Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program at Western Nevada College (WNC)
The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board approved a $400,000 grant from the Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) fund to grow a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Program at Western Nevada College (WNC).
Nevada has 4,500 fewer licensed commercial drivers than the national average, according to In-Demand Occupations. The American Trucking Association’s 2021 National Truck Driving Shortage Report estimates a shortage of 80,000 commercial drivers, which could climb to 170,000. The Nevada Trucking Association estimates that 92% of manufactured items in Nevada are transported by truck, making a qualified trucking workforce essential.
This program, which will be offered in Carson City and Fallon, intends to provide 100 training slots for $24 per hour positions.
“The CDL program will help train workers for an industry seeing significant vacancies,” said Kyle Dalpe, WNC Interim President. “This funding will help educate students faster and into jobs sooner.”
Photo Source: Local Infrastructure Hub
In May, the White House released a technical assistance guide to help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments access resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The 56-page document includes information for programs related to transportation, high-speed internet, water, power grid and clean energy, resilience, environmental remediation, and place-based initiatives.
Local Infrastructure Hub to help communities navigate Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) resources
Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Emerson Collective, the Ford Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation, the Local Infrastructure Hub was created to help communities navigate Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) resources.
The Hub will help local leaders navigate the nearly 400 available funding opportunities designed to drive local recovery, improve communities, and deliver results for residents.
Additionally, the Hub will assist cities and towns in developing competitive applications most likely to be awarded federal grants with special focus on helping traditionally underserved cities and towns.
Christine Brandon Selected to Lead Organization
Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) announced that after a national search, the Board has selected Christine Brandon as the organization’s new Executive Director. Brandon, a long time Carson City resident, was appointed to her new role on May 24, 2022.
“Brandon’s credentials, experience and personality make her an excellent leader for WNDD. We are confident she will bring great energy, innovation and strategic direction as WNDD continues to assist our region in creating vibrant, resilient and sustainable economies,” said Naomi Duerr, President of the Board.
Brandon has unique and varied experience in the areas of: economic development, engineering, project and program management, and leadership of non-profit organizations. In her previous position as instructor at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, she developed youth programming and managed grant funding. Prior to the university, she was acting Executive Director of a local non-profit. Notably, she served as Board Member on the City of Arlington’s Industrial Development Board. Here she was responsible for encouraging and attracting industrial development, and collaborated with various organizations to entice new businesses through tax incentives, special permitting and government lease programs.
Brandon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. After obtaining her degree, she worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers where she presided over the environmental cleanup of hazard waste sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense.
She hopes to draw on her extensive experience to support programming focused on improving much needed infrastructure, attracting new businesses and promoting economic resilience and vitality.
Brandon had this to say about her new role, “As the new Executive Director of WNDD, my goal is to bring my diverse background to help the Board of WNDD solve regional infrastructure and economic resiliency issues through creative approaches. I am very excited to serve the members of the Board and communities in Western Nevada and look forward to supporting positive change.”
Sheryl Gonzales, retiring WNDD Executive Director stated, “We are excited to welcome Christine Brandon as our incoming Executive Director and know she will do an outstanding job in her new position.”
In the News: KOLO Explores the Nevada Speed Test
KOLO Reporter, Terri Russell explores why Northern Nevadans need to take the Nevada Speed Test.
The Nevada Speed Test is hosted by Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) and is part of the Western Nevada Broadband Initiative, a network of public and private partners working to expand internet access and build a stronger digital infrastructure in urban and rural communities across the WNDD region.
“Higher internet speeds really lead to better economic wellbeing, higher incomes and lower unemployment rates,” says Lisa Granahan, Douglas County Economic Vitality Manager and WNDD Board Member.
Mapping results from participation will aid in identifying underserved communities as well as bring neighborhoods and communities up to the best service possible by applying for grants and other federal dollars.
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Have you wondered what happened to small cities after a catastrophic event?
Or, how redeveloped industrial properties can make an economic difference in communities?
Learn how:
Greensburg, Kansas rebounded after an EF-5 tornado
Puerto Rico is managing recovery after Hurricanes Maria and Irma
And, more…
Listen to the Panel Discussion from experts with first-hand knowledge of these experiences.
Panel Includes:
• David Doyle, Region 7
• Carmen Guerrero, Region 2
• Elliott Laws, Administrative Trustee, RACER Trust and former EPA Assistant Administrator