Funding Opportunities, Resources, Events and Learning: Innovation Matters

USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 09/25/2024 05:30 PM EDT

(Cover Photo) Empowering Coffee in Puerto Rico - Globally, more than a billion people count on coffee to power their day. In rural Puerto Rico, USDA Rural Development (RD) is helping a small family-owned business power some of that coffee. Thanks to an investment from USDA RD’s Rural Energy for America Program…Read More.

USDA Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

USDA Rural Development Offers Resource Guides in Spanish

Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month

Meet USDA Liaison Herminia Gomez: She has organized orientation events to promote USDA internship programs like HEP/CAMP and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program. Both programs encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers at USDA and in the agriculture sector.

USDA also awards education grants to Hispanic-serving Institutions: This effort aims to attract outstanding students and produce graduates capable of leading the nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce.

Funding

Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure

USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Rural Development provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes, or provides grants to elderly, very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Application Deadline: Open

Build to Scale (B2S) Program 
U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
EDA assists organizations that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems by supporting programs that support innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups transforming ideas into the critical, emerging technologies of the future. Application Deadline: 10/28/2024

Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers loans, through qualified lenders, to support in activities such as business repairs or modernization; the purchase or development of land and infrastructure; the purchase and installation of machinery or equipment; and debt refinancing. Application Deadline: Open

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this program to which provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses 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. Application Deadline: Open

View the prior edition of Innovation Matters

Funding Opportunities Supporting
Community and Economic Development

Healthy Food Financing Initiative
The USDA and the Reinvestment Fund opened the application window for the Food Access and Retail Expansion (HFFI FARE Fund), a new program under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The program highlights how funding will support food retail and food enterprises working to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas. HFFI 2024-2025 FARE Fund Fact Sheet. Stakeholder Announcement. Application Deadline: Open

Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD offers funding opportunities for state and local governments to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation that help meet the demand for accessible and available housing in urban, rural, and tribal communities. Application Deadline: 10/15/2024

Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC)
This program is a partnership between EPA's Office of Community Revitalization, USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Denali Commission. This program is designed to help communities bring together local residents and other stakeholders to decide on strategies and an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. Application Deadline: 10/16/2024

USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers funding to improve access to nutrient-dense foods for food-insecure individuals and families. The Economic Research Service at USDA recently updated its annual report on food security in U.S. households. Application Deadline: 11/07/2024

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA’s provides grants for community driven investments providing meaningful engagement for equitable governance. Application Deadline: 11/21/2024

Clean Energy Careers for All (CEC4A) Program
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE offers funding for non-profit educational organizations, including engineering, scientific, and technical societies, to support programs that promote awareness and interest in clean energy careers among K–12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Join a Webinar on10/16/2024. Application Deadline: 12/13/2024

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Funding Opportunities for Tribal Communities

USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations Webpage offers a calendar of events, funding opportunities, news releases, success stories, and more!

Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program
U.S. Department of Interior (DOI)
DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs provides funding to federally-recognized tribes and tribal organizations to build climate resilience capacity. Application Deadline: 10/18/2024

Tribal Tourism Grant Program
U.S. Department of Interior
DOI’s Office of Indian Economic Development offers this program to support tribal economic development and fulfill the mission of the NATIVE Act by providing funding for tribes to conduct feasibility studies to help them make informed decisions about potential tourism projects. Application Deadline: 10/25/2024

Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program: Tribal Transit Program
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT’s Federal Transit Administration offers funding to support planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal public transit services. Application Deadline: 11/13/2024

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Tribal and Insular Area Grants
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality provides funding assistance to accelerate the upgrade, retrofit, and turnover of the legacy diesel fleet. Application Deadline: 12/6/2024

Tribal College Initiative Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program provides funding to 1994 Land Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) to make capital improvements to their educational facilities and to purchase equipment. Application Deadline: Open

Other Resources:

Access to Capital Clearinghouse - Hosted by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, this tool is designed to improve awareness, access, and utilization of federal funding for Tribal governments, Tribal enterprises, Native entrepreneurs, and Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation – Peruse resources and technical assistance for tribal nations including electronic vehicle resources and a funding search tool. Tax Credits for EVs Eligible for Elective Pay.
Guides for Tribal Nations and Native Communities - USDA Tribal Producers | USDA Tribal Buffalo Partnership | USDA Tribal Colleges, Students, and Youth | DOE Tribal Nations and Native Communities Resource Guide.

Resources and Tools

USDA FSA Farm Loan Rule Fact Sheet: Enhancing Program Access and Delivery
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced improvements to the Farm Loan Programs that increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to access credit, meet their financial goals, overcome unexpected setbacks, and plan for their future more easily. These improvements provide producers the financial freedom and flexibility to improve their profitability and resiliency.

USDA Disaster Guide for Rural Communities
USDA offers this tool to help rural communities locate resources to support in disaster resiliency and recovery.

Building a Resilient Food System
This fact-sheet provides a snapshot of more than 50 grant, loan, and technical assistance programs available to producers, rural development professionals, food businesses, grocers, schools, institutional purchasers, elected officials, anti-hunger organizations, and engaged citizens who are working together to build a more resilient food system for us all. Descargar Folleto en Español.

Public EV Charging Infrastructure Playbook
The Public EV Charging Infrastructure Playbook provides interactive resources to help communities plan and build the infrastructure needed to support a zero-emissions transportation system. Four new modules were recently added that focus on policies and incentives; regulations for zoning, permitting, and codes; procurement, ownership, and operation; and revenue and fee structures.

Workforce Leadership Academies - The Aspen Institute
A high-capacity, responsive, and agile local workforce ecosystem is critical to a sustainable and equitable economic recovery. Building nimble collaboration through more stable and consistent investments in leaders’ knowledge, skills, and relationships at the local level can foster a more clearly aligned local workforce ecosystem that delivers integrated services to businesses and workers.

USDA RD Featured Success Stories

El Desarrollo Rural de USDA Ayuda a Restaurar la Esperanza en Loiza, Puerto Rico Carmen, una residente de mucho tiempo en la tranquila comunidad de Loiza, Puerto Rico, ha experimentado su parte de dificultades. En 1999, Carmen y su difunto esposo compraron su casa con un pequeño préstamo de su suegra. Durante años, la pareja disfrutó de su vida en Loiza.… [Read More]

Also in English: USDA Rural Development Helps Restore Hope in Loiza, Puerto Rico

Henderson Collegiate gains visit from USDA Rural Development Innovation Center Staff to discuss results and uses of their past USDA program awards. Student leaders and school staff embrace changes and plan for more future success!