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Reaching Constituents & Building Partnerships
On April 10-12, Wyoming Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis along with Governor Mark Gordon will be hosting the 2024 Wyoming Funding Summit at Central Wyoming College in Riverton.
The summit will be attended by nearly all federal and state agencies that support rural economic development. The focus areas of the summit will include affordable housing, community development, workforce development, capacity building, water, and energy. Presenters will discuss funding programs that are available to local communities, businesses, and nonprofits.
On the last day of the conference, attendees can meet one-on-one with agency employees to discuss their needs, eligibility, and application processes.
For USDA Rural Development, it is a great opportunity to interact with our customers and meet potential funding partners that can help us leverage our resources. Our Program Directors will give presentations on program funding, and we will have an informational booth at the event. If you attend, please introduce yourself to me and our Program Directors and let us know what needs exist in your community!
If you currently access federal or state funding programs, or would like to access these programs, I urge you to attend. You can register for the 2024 Wyoming Funding Summit here. If you have questions, please contact Kathy Lenz at Kathy_Lenz@lummis.senate.gov or 307-287-1474.
We hope to see you there!
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Where you can find us in the coming months...
April 10-12: 2024 Wyoming Funding Summit hosted by Senator Barrasso, Senator Lummis & Wyoming Governor Gordon in Riverton
April 17-19: Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems (WARWS) Conference in Casper
April 24: Career Fair in Sheridan
June 5-7: Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) Summer Convention in Pinedale
The following RUS programs are currently accepting applications. If you have questions about these programs please contact J. Scott Davis, Wyoming/Western South Dakota General Field Representative (GFR), at Scott.Davis2@usda.gov or (605) 416-1926.
Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program
Application Deadline: April 29, 2024
This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.
Who may apply?
Eligible applicants include most entities that provide education or health care through telecommunications, including:
- State and local governmental organizations
- Federally-recognized Tribes
- Non-profit organizations
- Incorporated, for-profit businesses
- Groups of eligible entities working together
What is an eligible area?
The DLT program is targeted to rural areas with populations 20,000 or fewer.
How may the funds be used?
Funds can be used to purchase or support:
- Audio, video, and interactive video equipment
- Broadband facilities used for distance learning or telemedicine (up to a certain percentage)
- Computer hardware, network components, and software
- Instructional programming
- Limited technical assistance and instruction on how to use distance learning and telemedicine equipment
ReConnect Program
Application Deadline: May 21, 2024
This program offers loans, grants, and loan-grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America that currently do not have sufficient access to broadband. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the program will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America.
Who may apply? The entities considered eligible to apply for assistance under the ReConnect Program include:
- Corporations
- Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships
- Cooperatives or mutual organizations
- States or local governments, including any agency, subdivision, instrumentality of political subdivision thereof
- A territory or possession of the United States
- An Indian Tribe, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
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Single Family Housing Home Repair Program (504 Program)
Application Window: Year-round application window
This program provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.
Who may apply for this program? To qualify, you must:
- Be the homeowner and occupy the house
- Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
- Have a household income that does not exceed the very-low limit by county
- For grants, be age 62 or older
How may funds be used?
- Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize homes or remove health and safety hazards
- Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards
How do I get started?
Contact Jessica Taylor, Single Family Housing Program Director, at (307) 233-6799
Fiscal Year 2024 Area Loan Limits
Now available at: www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-SFHAreaLoanLimitMap.pdf
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PROJECT HIGHLIGHT for World Water Day (March 22)
 The town of Lusk was struck by torrential rain and subsequent flash flooding in June of 2015. Heavy rainfall sent the Niobrara River into a rage, damaging homes, businesses and infrastructure. The underground water and wastewater lines had served their useful life prior to the flooding, and were now further deteriorated and unreliable. Since this unprecedented event, the community has worked tirelessly to rebuild, including the water and wastewater transmission infrastructure. The town has partnered with USDA Rural Development and the State of Wyoming to rebuild the underground infrastructure. Due to these partnerships, residents will now have access to quality water and reliable wastewater disposal services. To date, Rural Development has awarded the town of Lusk over $13.1 million for the project, with more phases anticipated in the future to finish the construction.
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Application Deadline: Year-round application window
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Who may apply for this program? Eligible borrowers include:
- Public bodies
- Community-based non-profit corporations
- Federally-recognized Tribes
What is an eligible area? Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data.
How may funds be used? Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.
Examples of essential community facilities include:
- Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities
- Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements
- Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing
- Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment
- Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools
- Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment
- Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses
For a complete list see Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR, Part 1942.17(d) for loans; 7 CFR, Part 3570.62 for grants.
How do I get started?
Contact Lillian Freed, Community Program Director, at (307) 233-6700
Interest Rates for April - June 2024
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PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
BETS LLC used the USDA Business & Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program through First Northern Bank of Wyoming to construct the Flight Zone facility in Gillette, an indoor park with trampolines, a foam pit and more!
Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program
Application Deadline: June 30, 2024
This program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA.
Who may apply for this program?
To receive funding for a grant and/or loan an entity must be:
- Current Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric or telecommunication borrower
- Any former RUS borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct or guaranteed loan under the Rural Electrification Act
- Any not-for-profit utility that is eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act
How may funds be used?
The local utility passes the funding to ultimate recipients for such eligible projects as:
- Business incubators
- Community development assistance to nonprofits and public bodies (particularly for job creation or enhancement)
- Facilities and equipment to educate and train rural residents to help economic development
- Facilities and equipment for medical care for rural residents
- Start-up venture costs, including, but not limited to, financing fixed assets such as real estate, buildings, equipment, or working capital
- Business expansion
- Technical assistance
How do I get started?
Contact Miles Benzel, Energy Coordinator, at (307) 683-4191
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Tammarica "Tami" Reedy joined the Wyoming Rural Development crew in December as a Community Programs Loan Assistant.
She is known for her baking and bingo skills!
Tami says, "I love spending time with family and going on adventures. I want to enjoy the world with others."
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Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration program to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing, or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing, or leasing bus-related facilities. Application Deadline: 4/25/2024
Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide, rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Application Deadline: 4/29/2024
ReConnect Program Round 5
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program that furnishes funding for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Several program improvements are in place to further increase the availability of funding in rural areas where residents and businesses lack access to affordable, high-speed internet. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 5/21/2024
Off-Farm Labor Housing Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development programs that provide grants and loans of up to $40,000 per unit for farmers, nonprofits, local governments, and federally recognized Tribes to improve, repair or modify properties that have previously received financing from USDA for farmworkers. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 6/18/2024
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to provide funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Federal Register Notice. Contact your State Energy Coordinator. Application Deadline: Various through 9/30/2024
Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development HBIIP seeks to increase the availability of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel derived from U.S. agricultural products by sharing the costs to build and retrofit biofuel-related infrastructure. Federal Register. Application Deadline: Various through 9/30/2024
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Backing Small Businesses Grant Program
Main Street America
In partnership with American Express, Main Street offers support to economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with a location and operation in historic main street, downtown, or commercial district. Application Deadline: 4/7/2024
Value-Added Producer Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides grants to agricultural producers to process and market value-added products to expand their customer base and generate more revenue for the agricultural producer. Federal Register. Application Deadline: Paper applications must be postmarked and delivered by mail, email or in person to the state office by close of business on 4/16/2024 | via Grants.gov on 4/11/2024
Fire Prevention and Safety Program
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA offers funding to strengthen community fire prevention programs and support scientific research on innovations that improve firefighter safety, health, and well-being. Application Deadline: 4/12/2024
Challenge America Grants
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
NEA offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach to communities that are underserved. Application Deadline: 4/25/2024
Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program
Department of Commerce (DOC)
DOC’s Economic Development Administration seeks to alleviate persistent economic distress and support long-term comprehensive economic development and job creation, in places with a high prime-age (25 to 54 years) employment gap. Application Deadline: 4/25/2024
Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT offers multi-year funding to assist public entities in facilitating and evaluating public-private partnerships, innovative financing, and delivery opportunities for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act eligible projects. This program joins the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, Thriving Communities Program, and other new technical assistance opportunities to ensure communities have the tools to access funding for transformative projects. Application Deadline: 5/9/2024
Community Level Innovations for Improving Health Outcomes
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
HHS’s solicits applications for projects to demonstrate that community level innovations that reduce barriers related to social determinants of health can increase use of preventive health services and make progress. Other HHS Funding. Application Deadline: 5/15/2024
Organizations of State and Local Officials Program
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
HRSA provides funds for a national level organization with an in-depth understanding of, and experience with, providing technical assistance and support to State Medicaid Directors and other health care payment officials to assist states in leveraging HRSA programs and collaborating with Medicaid to improve access to quality health care for high need communities. Application Deadline: 05/23/2024
Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 6: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions
Department of Labor
DOL Employment and Training Administration offers grants that create economic mobility, address inequities for historically marginalized communities of color, rural areas, and other underserved and underrepresented communities. Application Deadline: 6/12/2024
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Technical Assistance and Resources for Tribal Nations The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has updated its Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations page. These updates were made to streamline EV resources for Tribes to offer a quick and efficient means to identifying the most relevant and timely EV funding opportunities and locating EV specific resources and project examples for tribal communities. Tribes can contact the Joint Office to request technical assistance with EV infrastructure, planning, and much more. They offer information about electric vehicles (EVs), access to technical assistance, featured resources, and links to funding opportunities available to tribal nations for electrified transportation. Also available: National EV Initiative for Tribal Nations and Tribal EV and Energy Storage Projects.
Strengthening Tribal Advocacy Responses Track U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women offers funding to assist tribal governments and authorized designees of tribal governments to respond to violence and assault in their communities. Application Deadline: 4/24/2024
Indian Highway Safety Occupant Protection Grant U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs offers funding to support traffic safety programs and projects designed to reduce the number of traffic crashes, deaths, injuries, and property damage. Application Deadline: 5/1/2024
Social and Economic Development Strategies Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) HHS Administration for Children and Families has a program that focuses on community-driven projects designed to grow local economies, strengthen Native American families, and decrease the high rate of current challenges caused by the lack of community-based businesses and social/economic infrastructure in Native American communities. Application Deadline: 5/20/2024
Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) DOE’s Office of Indian Energy offers funding to install clean energy generating systems and/or energy efficiency measures for Tribal buildings or deploy community-scale clean energy generating systems or community energy storage on Tribal lands, and various other uses. Application Deadline: 5/30/2024
Tribal Wildlife Grant Program US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFS) USFS offers competitive funding for Federally recognized Tribal governments to develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Application Deadline: 6/21/2024
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