Innovation Matters: Funding Opportunities, Publications, Events and Learning

USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 06/09/2020 11:56 AM EDT

Innovation Matters | June 2020 | Issue 1

Bi-weekly list of funding and learning opportunities in rural America.

Spotlight: Business & Industry CARES Act Program

Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program
USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA B&I CARES Act Program provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Application Deadline: September 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.

In This Issue:

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources

Funding Opportunities
    -Rural Infrastructure
    -Economic Development
    -Tribal-specific

Publications

Event Opportunities

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources

USDA COVID-19 Relief Measures:

Additional Resources:

Visit www.coronavirus.gov for the latest news from the CDC on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for the latest news from Rural Development on how we are helping our partners, customers, and stakeholders impacted by COVID-19.

Additional COVID-19 resources are featured in the categories below.

Funding Opportunities

Rural Infrastructure

Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects
USDA Rural Development helps qualified nonprofits create a revolving loan fund that can provide financing to extend and improve water and waste disposal systems in rural areas. Application Deadline: June 12, 2020

HRSA Telehealth Network Grant Program
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides grants to promote rural tele-emergency services with an emphasis on tele-stroke, tele-behavioral health, and Tele-Emergency Medical Services. Application Deadline: June 15, 2020

Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD)
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for projects that support regional economic and community development planning. Funding is authorized through a Farm Bill provision for applications submitted through Community Facilities Loans, Grants and Loan Guarantees, Water and Waste Disposal Program Loans, Grants and Loan Guarantees, and Business & Industry Program Loan Guarantees. Specific requirements and application deadlines apply. Funds must be obligated by June 30, 2020

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is making grants available to help rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Application Deadline: July 13, 2020 via Grants.gov

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
The Federal Communications Commission provides funding to bring high-speed, fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses that lack access. Application Deadline: October 22, 2020

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources Related to Rural Infrastructure:

Economic Development

Fiscal Year 2020 Capital Magnet Fund Program
U.S. Department of the Treasury, Community Development Financial Institutions is making funds available to help certified CDFIs and nonprofits develop, rehabilitate or purchase affordable housing and economic development activities. Application Deadline: June 26, 2020 via Grants.gov

Community Economic Development Projects
The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services is making grants available for Community Development Corporations to support projects that will enhance job creation and business development for low-income individuals. Application Deadline: July 03, 2020

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Planning
The Health Resources and Services Administration is making funds available to help rural communities enhance their capacity to address substance use disorder though planning activities, multi-sector consortiums and participate in the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Planning learning collaborative. Application Deadline: July 13, 2020

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Labor is financing projects to help rural communities align workforce development efforts with economic development plans. This program serves the Appalachian region and the Lower Mississippi Delta region. Application Deadline: July 29, 2020

OUR TOWN
The National Endowment for the Arts’ creative placemaking grants program supports projects that integrate arts, culture and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical and/or social outcomes. Application Deadline: August 6, 2020

FY 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
The Economic Development Administration provides economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs, including construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance and revolving loan fund projects. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Rural Economic Development:

Tribal-Specific

Native American Research Centers for Health
The National Institutes of Health’s Indian Health Services is making grants available for new or continued Native American Research Centers for Health. This program supports research and research training to meet the health needs of American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Application Deadline: Jun 24, 2020

Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands
The U.S. Department of Energy is providing this program to support technology on tribal lands. View the webinar and presentation slides and FOA. Application Deadline: July 1, 2020

Tribal Transportation Program Safety Funds
The Federal Highway Administration, Office of Federal Lands Highway is providing funding for tribal governments to support transportation projects related to safety, safety planning and infrastructure. Application Deadline: August 20, 2020

Public Transportation on Indian Reservations: Tribal Transit Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration is making funds available to support planning, capital and operating assistance for tribal public transit services to help expand access to health, medical and social service providers. Application Deadline: Aug 24, 2020

Rural and Tribal Passenger Transportation Technical Assistance
The Community Transportation Association of America offers technical assistance for tribes and rural communities of less than 50,000 people to plan system start-up, transit service improvements, facility development, marketing, transportation coordination and staff training. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Tribal Entities:

Publications

Proclamation on National Homeownership Month, 2020
President Donald J. Trump proclaims June 2020 as National Homeownership Month.

USDA Highlights Programs to Support Rural Housing
USDA kicked off National Homeownership Month by highlighting USDA’s ongoing role in supporting rural homeownership. To assist homeowners facing current hardships, USDA is offering payment moratoriums and modified application processes. USDA Rural Development is also working with new borrowers and their lenders to make special accommodations based on local needs and restrictions.

COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season
This Federal Emergency Management Agency resources site offers tools to help communities better prepare for all-hazards disasters, while continuing to respond to and recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

How to Do Creative Placemaking
The National Endowment for the Arts highlights case studies that towns, cities, organizations and artists can use to enhance economic development while preserving and celebrating local places.

Event Opportunities

CDFA-ARI Rural Finance Webinar Series: Building the Road to Recovery
June 10 and July 8 | Webinar
CDFA-ARI partnered with the Alliance for Rural Impact to offer this Rural Finance Webinar Series to discuss financial tools that can help rural communities implement successful economic development strategies.

Using Data to Address Income Inequality
June 16 | Webinar
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will share data tools that can be used to identify key social and financial health indicators to help address income inequality at the local level.

Utilizing Federal Data to Measure the Digital Divide
June 17 | Webinar
BroadbandUSA offers tips on federal data sources and trends, NTIA presents the findings from their 2019 Computer and Internet Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau will highlight the broadband and connectivity data available in its American Communities Survey.

Rural Design Webinar Series
Pre-recorded Webinar
The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design, a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative, offers free webinars to support rural project management, fundraising, predevelopment and action planning.

Virtual Public Assistance Training
Pre-recorded Webinar
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute is making it easier for state, local, tribal and territorial government partners to get remote training by offering daily webinars and independent study courses online.

Newsletters, websites and emails from which we gather this information include:

USDA Rural Development’s full Catalog of Programs
Grants.gov
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Aspen Institute
e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Pew Research Center
Philanthropy News Digest
Rural LISC e-newsletter
National Association of Development Organizations

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center

Email: rd.innovation@usda.gov | Webpage: usda.gov/rdinnovation

www.rd.usda.gov

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