Innovation Matters: Funding Opportunities, Publications, Events and Learning

USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 07/22/2020 01:08 PM EDT

Innovation Matters | July 2020 | Issue 2

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

OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative

USDA is seeking public comment on a series of regulatory reforms known collectively as the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. Under the initiative, USDA will eliminate duplicative processes and launch a single platform for four key loan programs:

Attend Virtual Listening Sessions:

Register - Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 1:30 PM EDT
Register - Wednesday, Aug 5, 2020 at 1:30 PM EDT
Register - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2020 at 1:30 PM EDT

For more information, visit the July 14 Federal Register.

In This Issue:

Spotlight: OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative

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

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. Webinar for Lenders and Webinar for Businesses and Producers. Application Deadline: September 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements (REAP)
USDA Rural Development funds to support agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Application Deadline: Open

FY 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
The Economic Development Administration is providing resources to economically distressed communities and regions to help finance construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Mobility on Demand Projects
Community Transportation Association of America is providing competitive grants to weave together inclusive transportation planning, development, and implementation with grassroots-driven mobility on demand solutions. Application Deadline: July 31, 2020

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)
USDA Rural Development program intends to increase significantly the sale and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. Application Deadline: August 13, 2020

FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
The Federal Communications Commission is providing 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

Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is making grants available to help start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America. Application Deadline: August 3, 2020

Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is making $3 million in grants available to help socially disadvantaged groups develop business and strategic plans in rural areas. Application Deadline: August 10, 2020

Delta Health Care Service Grant Program
USDA Rural Development grant funds for the development of healthcare services, health education programs, healthcare job training programs, or the development and expansion of public health-related facilities in the Delta Region. Application Deadline: August 24, 2020

Centers of Community Prosperity
USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) offers funding to leverage partnering entities to assist persistent poverty communities with socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers to improve, restore and maintain natural resources and growth in their communities focusing on fostering hope, opportunity, asset building and wealth creation. Application Deadline: August 24, 2020

Senior Corps Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Corporation for National and Community Service program funding which engages people ages 55 and over in a diverse range of volunteer activities that serve communities to create measurable impact, benefit volunteers through the service experience and create community capacity. Application Deadline: September 1, 2020

Strengthening Community Colleges
U.S. Department of Labor program designed to build capacity in community colleges by collaborating with employers and the public workforce to meet labor market demands by increasing capacity, developing skills and mitigating challenges associated with the COVID-19 that necessitate social distancing practices and expanding online learning. Application Deadline: October 8, 2020

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

Tribal-Specific

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 30, 2020

Living Languages Grant Program
Bureau of Indian Affairs program provides grants for Native language instruction and immersion programs for Native students not enrolled at BIE funded schools to preserve or revitalize a Native language. Application Deadline: August 24, 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: August 24, 2020

Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant
Bureau of Indian Affairs program seeks to develop the Tribal management, organizational and technical capacity needed to maximize the economic impact of energy resource development on American Indian and Native Alaskan land to regulate and manage their energy resources through development of organizational and business structures and legal and regulatory infrastructure. Application Deadline: September 01, 2020

BIA Grants to Tribes for Business Development Feasibility Studies
The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, through its Native American Business Development Institute, is soliciting proposals from Tribes for technical assistance funding to hire consultants to perform feasibility studies of economic development opportunities located in designated Opportunity Zones. Application Deadline: September 15, 2020

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

Publications

USDA Podcast: Food Safety During the Coronavirus
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue talks about the safety of America’s food amidst the coronavirus pandemic with the Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas and USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears on this podcast episode of The Sonnyside of the Farm. USDA offers additional food resources on their Nutrition.gov site including a Recipe Collection, Farmers Markets site and the Food Storage and Preservation guide for tips to find, taste and keep food fresh.

Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America
USDA’s Economic Research Service resource has been updated to feature broad categories of socioeconomic factors to view the diversity of challenges and opportunities across America's counties.

State of the Cities Report 2020
National League of Cities report offers an analysis on how cities plan to continue to provide residents and businesses the tools and targeted investments needed to sustain and strengthen their economies to best serve residents.

Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool fact sheet
U.S. Department of Energy provides this interactive platform to help stakeholders make data-driven decisions on their energy goals. This platform offers household energy characteristics and downloadable visuals based on income, energy expenditures, fuel type, and housing type.

Community Innovation Stories
FEMA captures how many communities are responding to COVID-19 in innovative ways that highlight the best of American ingenuity and highlighting excellent links to share resources.

Event Opportunities

Still Open for Business: Working with Minority-Owned Rural Firms
July 22 | Webinar
The Aspen Institute offers this session as a part of their Rural Opportunity and Development (ROAD) series targeting minority entrepreneurs to share their recent experiences, in partnered conversation with the regional intermediaries who have been helping them with technical assistance, funding and advocacy.

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Virtual Listening Sessions
Register - July 28 at 2 p.m. EDT
Register - July 30 at 2 p.m. EDT
USDA is seeking feedback to launch a new program to help create high-wage jobs in rural communities and strengthen regional economies. Under the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program, USDA intends to make grants available to help eligible entities build, finance and improve Innovation Centers to support the rural workforce.

USDA Assistance for Small Scale Meat Processing
July 28 | Webinar
Join USDA for an overview of programs and funding options to support small scale meat processing. Rural Development offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees and Food Safety and Inspection Service provides inspection services that broaden the marketplace for processors who are looking for more retail and commercial outlets.

“Responding to COVID-19, A Webinar Series for Local Governments Serving Small Communities – Summer 2020”
July 28 | Webinar
HUD’s Distressed Cities Technical Assistance Program offers a unique opportunity for rural communities featuring webinars to provide digestible information to small and local governments regarding access to public funding, data, and other resources.

How to Create Partnerships to Advance Tribal Energy Projects
July 29 | Webinar
The Office of Indian Energy is hosting a free webinar on how to create partnerships to help tribes meet their energy goals.

Council of Development Finance Agency (CFDA) Food Systems Finance Webinar Series
July 30 | Neighborhood Revitalization Through Food Systems Finance
Sept 29 | Financing Food Systems Entrepreneurs
CDFA is providing a free online series to advance opportunities and leverage capital financing that scale local and regional food systems, increase access to better food, and create new living wage jobs in communities across the country.

Connect Americans Now: Bridging the Digital Divide for Rural & Underserved Communities August 5 | Webinar
National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health offer this session for State Offices of Rural Health and their stakeholders interested in forming health partnerships with the community development sector to impact rural health initiatives.

Building Community Capacity Around Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
Session 1 | August 5 at 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Session 2 | August 6 at 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
USDA’s Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement, in collaboration with the Regional Rural Development Centers and the Rural Development Innovation Center, is inviting you to join a multi-day virtual workshop on Building Community Capacity around Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This event is designed for community organizers and planners that work on this important topic on a state or community level, such as: Community Planners/Organizers, Cooperative Extension Service Professionals, Elected/Appointed County and City Officials, National/State Forestry Associations, 2501 Recipients Working with Landowners and Land Trust and Conservatory Organizations.

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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