Tag Archive for: WNDD

Five for Friday: January 12, 2024

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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 seed funding, energy, transportation, water quality and climate resiliency.

Grant Opportunities & More

America’s Seed Fund Week: January 23 to 25, 2024

America’s Seed Fund serves as a springboard by providing over $4 billion each year in funding to early-stage startups and small businesses as innovators take their technology from R&D through to commercialization, through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. In a three-day virtual workshop, attendees can deepen their understanding of America’s Seed Fund, and have the valuable opportunity to connect directly with federal agency representatives who foster its competitive funding opportunities.

Register

America’s Seed Fund Resources

Energy Efficiency Grants for Ag Producers and Small Businesses

REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in areas of 50,000 or less 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. The upcoming deadline for the next REAP funding cycle is March 31. REAP provides Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs, grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, and combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75 percent of total eligible project cost.

Please register your interest in discussing your questions and interests in REAP Programs with State Coordinator Laura Chavez.

Register with Laura Chavez

More Info

USDOT RAISE Program Assists Local Transportation Capital and Planning Projects

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE Discretionary Grant program, provides a unique opportunity for the USDOT to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects. RAISE allows project sponsors at the State and local levels to obtain funding for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to support through traditional DOT programs. RAISE can provide funding directly to any public entity, including municipalities, counties, port authorities, tribal governments, MPOs, or others in contrast to traditional Federal programs which provide funding to very specific groups of applicants (mostly State DOTs and transit agencies). Applicants may submit a total of three (3) project applications (planning and/or capital) for RAISE grants. The maximum award is $25 million and requires a 25 percent match.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2024 at 11:59:59 pm ET

RAISE Info

RAISE Webinar Series

Water Quality Protection Grants Protect Nevada’s Waterways

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) Nonpoint Source Program (NPS Program) provides grant funding to qualifying counties, conservation districts, higher education institutions, regional agencies, and nonprofit organizations to improve conditions of Nevada’s watersheds and protect against nonpoint source (NPS) water pollution. NPS water pollution occurs when rain, snowmelt and irrigation water flow over developed or disturbed land, carrying with it contaminants including oil, sediment, pesticides, bacteria and nutrients. This contaminated water makes its way into Nevada’s waterways either directly or through storm drains. Nonpoint source pollution continues to be a significant threat to Nevada’s waterways. Implementing water quality restoration projects and educating our citizens on how they can help will reduce that threat. The NPS Program is now soliciting proposals for the implementation of on-the-ground projects to mitigate nonpoint source pollution or efforts that lead to watershed plans that will allow activities to protect waters from nonpoint source pollution in the future.

Application Deadline: February 14, 2024

More Info

EPA Grants Promote Climate Resilience and Climate Justice Projects

The EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Program’s Community Change Grants (Community Change Grants) aims to support environmental and climate justice activities that benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.

Community Change Grants

Five for Friday: December 15, 2023

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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

NOFO

RAISE Grants

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

Agricultural Producers

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

RD Instruction 1944-I

Nevada State Contacts

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.

Community Challenge Grants

NOFO

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.

Funding Navigator

Welcome Yerington!

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WNDD Announces the City of Yerington as Its Newest Member

This week the City of Yerington became the 7th city to join the Western Nevada Development District. Economic Development Districts are cities’ local connection with the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, providing locally-based, regionally driven economic development plans and grant resources for the infrastructure needed to support the strategic blueprint.

WNDD will partner with the city to improve airport infrastructure, assist workforce development and training initiatives and support Main Street projects. The City of Yerington joins the counties of Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Mineral, Pershing, Storey and Washoe; the municipality of Carson City; the cities of Fallon, Fernley, Lovelock, Reno, Sparks, Winnemucca; and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe as WNDD members.

Register Today!

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Nevada Tourism and Hospitality Industry Sector Value Network and Supply Chain Symposium

Monday, May 15, 2023
9:00 am to 2:00 pm

The University Center for Economic Development and The College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno invites you to attend a Nevada Tourism and Hospitality Industry Sector Value Network and Supply Chain Symposium on Monday, May 15, 2023 from 9:00am to 2:00pm.

Graduate students in The College’s BADM 779.1001 Spring 2023 course, Graduate Seminar in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, have completed a comprehensive assessment and mapping of the value network and supply chain of Nevada’s Tourism and Hospitality industry sector. Their findings, including an assessment of identified gaps and targeted community and economic development approaches designed to address those gaps will be presented during the symposium.

Elected and appointed officials, local, state, and federal government officials, representatives of various community and economic development organizations, private sector representatives from the broader Tourism and Hospitality sector, and even various non-profit and community-based organizations are invited to attend and participate.

When:
Monday, May 15, 2023
9:00 am: Continental breakfast
10:00 to 1:00 pm: Symposium
1:00 to 2:00 pm: Luncheon

Where:
Joe Crowley Student Union, UNR Main Campus
The Theater (Room 309)

Cost: FREE – Space is limited. You must register.
Continental breakfast, refreshments and lunch included

RSVP by Friday, May 5, 2023, 5 pm
Fred Steinmann
Director of the University Center for Economic Development, UNR
775.784.1655
Fred@unr.edu

Symposium Flyer

Tahoe Prosperity Center Presents Tahoe Rising

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A virtual discussion on the region’s Economic Challenges and Opportunities!

Tahoe Rising is a three-part virtual event to catalyze change and take action for the benefit of Lake Tahoe’s regional community and economy. Join the Tahoe Prosperity Center as it presents keynote speakers from around the country and the Lake who will discuss challenges facing Lake Tahoe in this current pandemic; sharing economic, community and environmental perspectives.

The fast-paced program includes panel sessions with those experts combined with local Tahoe leaders that will enhance these conversations. Collaborative and interactive group sessions will follow and provide an opportunity to share solutions that can be implemented locally to improve the region and build a resilient community.

The Tahoe Prosperity Center is an Associate Member of the Western Nevada Development District.

Event Schedule:

September 30th
10:00 am till 12:00 pm
Topic: Tahoe’s Economic Picture

October 14th
10:00 am till 12:00 pm
Topic: Tahoe’s Economic Recovery

October 28th
10:00 am till 12:00 pm
Topic: Tahoe’s Economic Resiliency

Learn More!

County Small Business Grant Program!

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Supporting Small Businesses Financially Impacted by COVID-19

A partnership between NACO and the counties of: Douglas, Elko, Lincoln, Lyon, Nye, Storey, Washoe and White Pine

Eight counties across Nevada have partnered with the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) to develop a grant program to support small businesses financially impacted by COVID-19. This grant program is being supported by federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds. Eligible businesses must be located in Douglas, Elko, Lincoln, Lyon, Nye, Storey, unincorporated Washoe or White Pine counties.

Eligible Grant Uses include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Protective Retrofits
• Working capital – including utilities, payroll not covered by PPP, inventory etc.

Grant awards range from $1,500 to $20,000.

Applications are open September 8 thru October 6, 2020.

The Nevada Small Business Development Center is partnering with NACO to provide help to businesses that may need it.

Request free and confidential assistance by calling 800-240-7094 to make an appointment with a counselor through one of their 13 statewide locations.

Apply Now!

Follow Up: Pershing County/Lovelock Brownfields Initiative

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The first meeting of the Pershing County/Lovelock Brownfields Initiative drew nearly 40 participants on Jan. 27 at the Pershing County Community Center.

At this public meeting, discussion involved defining the initiative and fielding questions on directing EPA grant funds to Brownfield sites in and around Lovelock including community gateways, the industrial park and, the downtown corridor.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants money to assess and clear properties, known as “Brownfields,” that are planned for reuse or redevelopment.  Brownfields sites can include properties that are vacant, or are abandoned or underutilized sites that may suffer from real or perceived contamination.

The meeting included an overview of the EPA Brownfields Program and the Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant awarded to the coalition group that includes Western Nevada Development District, City of Lovelock and Pershing County.  The presentation also included the benefits of the Brownfields program, activities/tasks associated with assessment grant, and similar successful Brownfields projects, plus a Q & A session.

Presentations were made by Lisa Hanusiak, Brownfields Project Manager for EPA District 9, Philip Childers and Tom Mix of Converse Consulting who are conducting the assessments and Heidi Lusby-Angvick, Executive Director of the Pershing county Economic Development Authority.

The Initiative is a key element of the Pershing County Economic Development Strategic and Revitalization Plan, adopted by the Pershing County Economic Development Authority.

The $600,000 EPA Brownfields Grant, the only grant given in the State of Nevada in 2019, was awarded through the Western Nevada Development District which applied for the monies and is managing the project in cooperation with local officials.

For more information on the Community Meeting and the Pershing County/Lovelock Brownfields Initiative, visit: Lovelovelock.com.

For more information contact Sheryl Gonzales, Executive Director of the Western Nevada Development District at (775) 473-6753 or via email at sgonzales@wndd.org, or Heidi E. Lusby-Angvick, Executive Director of the Pershing County Economic Development Authority at (775) 273-4909 or by e-mail at pceda.hlusby@gmail.com

Download the presentation pdf.

 

Pershing/Lovelock Brownfields Initiative Community Meeting Set for January 27

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Part of EPA Grant to Spur Investment in Vacant, Former Mining and Commercial Sites

The public is invited to attend the first meeting of the Pershing County/Lovelock Brownfields Initiative. The meeting is to be held on Monday, January 27, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pershing County Community Center, 820 6th Street, Lovelock, Nev.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants money to assess and clear properties, known as “Brownfields,” that are planned for reuse or redevelopment. Brownfields sites can include properties that are vacant, or are abandoned or underutilized sites that may suffer from real or perceived contamination.

At this public meeting, discussion will be encouraged on directing EPA grant funds to Brownfield sites in and around Lovelock including community gateways, the industrial park and, the downtown corridor.

The $600,000 EPA Brownfields Grant, the only grant given in the State of Nevada in 2019, was awarded through the Western Nevada Development District which applied for the monies and will manage the project in cooperation with local officials including the Pershing County Economic Development Authority.

“Community participation in this process is important and highly encouraged,” said Pershing County Commissioner Rob McDougal. “The public is invited to learn and provide input that will help assist in decisions that promote the removal of blight and contamination, create healthier places to live, work and play, and create jobs and new economic opportunities.”

The Brownfields Initiative is a key element of the Pershing County Economic Development Strategic and Revitalization Plan, adopted by the Pershing County Economic Development Authority which was facilitated by WNDD. Grant funds also will be used to conduct reuse planning for high priority sites, develop downtown/gateway revitalization strategies and conduct community involvement activities.

For a meeting agenda, materials and more information contact Sheryl Gonzales, Executive Director of the Western Nevada Development District at (775) 473-6753 or via email at sgonzales@wndd.org, or Heidi E. Lusby-Angvick, Executive Director of the Pershing County Economic Development Authority at (775) 273-4909 or by e-mail at pceda.hlusby@gmail.com.

See the article at ThisisReno.com

Sheryl Gonzales Elected to NADO Board of Directors

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SHERYL GONZALES ELECTED TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Washington, DC – Sheryl Gonzales, Executive Director of Western Nevada Development District in Carson City was recently elected to the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Board of Directors.

NADO was founded in 1967 to provide training, information, and representation for regional development organizations throughout the United States. Today, NADO member organizations serve local governments and the public within their regions through various programs focused on diversifying local economies, assisting businesses, creating jobs, and providing social services. The NADO Board of Directors oversees the association’s budget and operations and develops policy on issues affecting regional development organizations.

“We are honored to have Sheryl serve on NADO’s Board of Directors. She brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and leadership on regional community and economic development issues to the national level,” stated Joe McKinney, NADO Executive Director. “Most importantly, Sheryl is focused on helping our nation’s local communities pursue comprehensive regional strategies for remaining economically competitive in today’s rapidly changing global environment.”

For more information contact NADO Executive Director, Joe McKinney at 202.624.5947 or jmckinney@nado.org.

# # #

Building on nearly five decades of experience, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) serves as the national voice of regional development organizations. The association is an advocate for federal community and economic development programs and policies that help local communities improve their local economy and quality of life. For more information about NADO and the NADO Research Foundation, visit www.nado.org.

Western Nevada Development District Partners with JOIN Inc. to Secure $75,000 Workforce Development Grant

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Engaging Employer with School-Aged Youth in Carson City, Storey and Churchill Counties

The Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), in collaboration with JOIN Inc., has successfully secured a Nevada Department of Education Grant for Career Bound NV, a new division that focuses on workforce development by providing work-based learning experiences to K-12 students.

Serving as the intermediary between industry and education, Career Bound NV engages employers to provide students with opportunities to explore careers, develop skills and participate in job shadow and paid internships to ensure students graduate ready for employment in Nevada’s high-demand, living-wage careers.

The $75,000 grant will be used for outreach to prospective employers, parent education and student recruitment in Carson City, Churchill County and Storey County. This aligns closely with WNDD’s mission and the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

“Work-based learning for school-aged youth provides students with resources and opportunities to explore pathways leading to living wage careers,” said Denise Castle, CEO of JOIN Inc. “This grant will support Career Bound NV in connecting employers to students in an effort to grow their own pipeline of talent. ”

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development estimates that by 2024 there will be 630,000 open jobs in Nevada through business expansion, relocation and those aging out of the workforce. Nearly two-thirds of these jobs will require specialized training or certification. On the other side of the equation, employers state that 60 percent of job applicants do not have the necessary skills needed for today’s jobs.

Castle believes the Career Bound NV program will help close that gap. “This is a collaborative effort between WNDD and JOIN in bringing together employers and students to address one of the region’s greatest economic development needs of creating and maintaining a talent pipeline of skilled workers.”

See the article at NNBV.