Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week ending July 10, 2020

The following is a selection of recent announcements gleaned from various federal sources and colleagues and is provided to EDA’s Economic Development Integrators to increase our awareness of complementary resources for economic development.

See more open funding opportunities at federal agencies on the EDI webpage at https://www.eda.gov/edi/assistance/

Also visit the following links on our updated EDI webpages at www.eda.gov/edi for additional information about federal resources that are available to support comprehensive regional economic development strategies, including:

Click here to view all weekly federal announcement posts


Contents


Funding & Resource Announcements

Apply Now:  EDA CARES Act Funds

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications from eligible grantees for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) supplemental funds (EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance) intended to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance investments will support a wide range of non-construction and construction activities, including Revolving Loan Funds, in regions across the country experiencing severe economic dislocations brought about by the coronavirus pandemic

Details for applicants are provided in  an Addendum to our Fiscal Year 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity (FY20 PWEAA NOFO) available on Grants.gov. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult with an EDA representative near you, prior to submission. Contact info is available at www.eda.gov/contact.  Also visit these resources on the EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance page:

 

ACCESS TO CAPITAL, BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Sep 15 Deadline – USDA RD Business & Industry (B&I) CARES Act Loans

USDA is making available up to $1B 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 Business & Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program provisions. B&I CARES Act Program loans must be used as working capital to prevent, prepare for or respond to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Contact the USDA Rural Development State Office  where your project is located for details. For fact sheets, FAQs and more, visit this page: Business & Industry CARES Act Program.

Apply by Sep 15.  BIA Grants to Tribes for Business Development Feasibility Studies

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs is making grants available for feasibility studies of economic development opportunities located in designated Opportunity Zones.

The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED), through its Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI), 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. Eligibility for funding is limited to those applicants whose proposed projects, businesses, or technologies will be located in designated Opportunity Zones. These grants are also intended to fund applicants to obtain qualified guidance on how the development projects, businesses, or technologies they propose can attract investments from an Opportunity Fund. See IEED webpage for details: https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/ieed/division-economic-development/nabdi

 

CEDS, REGIONAL PLANNING and CAPACITY BUILDING

Apply by Aug 3. USDA Accepting Applications for FY20 Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program.

The primary objective of the RCDG program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development. Grants are available for non-profit corporations or higher education institutions only. Funds may be used to pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative development. The maximum award amount per grant is $200,000.

Centers may have the expertise on staff, or they can contract out for the expertise to assist individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural businesses, especially cooperative or mutually-owned businesses. Click here for the solicitation.

Apply by Aug 6:  NEA’s FY20 Our Town Creative Placemaking Grants Program

Our Town is the National Endowment for the Arts’ creative placemaking grants program. Grants support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. These projects require a partnership between a local government entity and nonprofit organization, one of which must be a cultural organization; and should engage in partnership with other sectors (such as agriculture and food, economic development, education and youth, environment and energy, health, housing, public safety, transportation, and workforce development). Apply by August 6.  For more information visit these NEA weblinks:

 

INFRASTRUCTURE.

Apply by Jul 10. National Park Service’s $40M Outdoor Recreation Partnership Program.

The National Park Service State and Local Assistance Division announced the availability of $40 million mainly appropriated in FY 2018 and 2019 for Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance grants for a nationally competitive grant program. Eligible U.S. state and local government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes are invited to submit proposals for matching grants to support projects that would acquire or develop public land for outdoor recreation purposes located within or serving Census-delineated “urbanized areas”: places with a population of 50,000 or more people that are densely settled. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

Apply by Jul 13: Second Round for USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants.

USDA is opening a second application window for funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. Electronic applications for window two may be submitted beginning April 14, 2020 and are due no later than July 13, 2020. Apply through Grants.gov here: RUS-20-02-DLT

 

MANUFACTURING, INNOVATION and TECHNOLOGY:

Apply by Jul 12. DoD Defense Manufacturing Communities Support Program (DMCSP).

On June 11, the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) published a notice inviting applications for designation under its new Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP). The DMCSP authorized under Section 846 of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, is designed to undertake long-term investments in critical skills, facilities, research and development, and small business support in order to strengthen the national security innovation and manufacturing base in designated defense manufacturing communities. The program also seeks to ensure complementarity of those communities so designated with existing defense manufacturing institutes (https://www.manufacturingusa.com/institutes)

To qualify for funding through DMCSP, communities should demonstrate best practices in attracting and expanding defense manufacturing by bringing together key local stakeholders and using long-term planning that integrates targeted public and private investments. There is a two-step application process: 1. apply for and receive designation as a Defense Manufacturing Community; 2. Upon receiving the above designation, you will be invited to submit a grant application for funding.  To learn more, please see the Federal Funding Opportunity.

Apply by Jul 14.  Department of Energy Announces $14M For Coal Tech R&D

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) announced up to $14 million in federal funding for cost-shared research and development projects under the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002185, Advanced Coal Processing Technologies.

The FOA seeks applications for the research and development of coal-derived products as building materials and infrastructure components, as well as other value-added, coal-derived carbon products. Read more details here. Apply by Jul 14, 2020.

Concept due Aug 4. Department of Energy Announces $20M Challenge for Innovations in Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology

U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced a $20 million funding opportunity to develop technology innovations that strengthen America’s water infrastructure and enable advanced water resource recovery systems that have the potential to be net energy positive. This funding opportunity is part of DOE’s Water Security Grand Challenge, a White House-initiated, DOE-led framework to advance transformational technology and innovation to meet the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

  • Concept Paper Submission Deadline: 8/4/2020 5:00 PM ET
  • Full Application Submission Deadline: 10/6/2020 5:00 PM ET

Projects selected under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by EERE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, will explore the interconnected, cross-sector opportunities for technological innovation at the nexus of energy and water. DOE anticipates making approximately 10 awards. View the FOA, application, and submission requirements on EERE Exchange.

Opportunity for Small Businesses to Access Oak Ridge National Lab Resources

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) issued a Notice of Opportunity (NOO) that provides small businesses and other industry partners with more affordable access to ORNL’s Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC), where they can undertake collaborative, short-term research projects that accelerate the development of new energy-efficient building technologies. This opportunity, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Building Technologies Office (BTO), gives selected participants access to ORNL’s experienced staff, unique equipment, and research capabilities. More information about the ORNL BTRIC is at https://www.ornl.gov/facility/btric.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking industry partners to participate in short-term, collaborative projects within the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC) to accelerate development of new energy efficient building technologies. This opportunity will provide selected participants access to ORNL’s experienced staff and unique equipment and capabilities to demonstrate advanced concepts with intent to develop and deploy innovative and energy efficient building technologies.

This NOO is designed to accelerate and streamline the partnering process, significantly reducing the time, cost, and risk of bringing a product to market. This arrangement, along with the reduction of each project’s cost share from 50% to 20%, encourages businesses to continue innovating despite the adverse economic conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the NOO here.

 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Apply by Jul 20. OSHA’s  Susan Harwood Workforce Training Grants Available for Nonprofits

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the availability of $11.5 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants The Harwood Training Grant program supports training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards, including the coronavirus. View the Funding Announcements for details on three related opportunities.

Learn more here: https://www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants.  Applications are due July 20.

Info Session July 21. Department of Education Rural Technology -Challenge Prize for Distance Education. Proposals due Oct 8.

U.S. Secretary of Education announced today a challenge to advance high-quality technology instruction in rural communities. The Rural Tech Project, with a total cash prize pool of $600,000, invites high schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) to develop competency-based distance learning programs.

Rural high schools and LEAs interested in entering the challenge should submit a proposal for a competency-based program by 5:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 8, 2020. The online submission form asks for a program overview, including the delivery model, curriculum topics, and intended collaboration with local employers and other partners. To learn more, rural high schools and LEAs can join a virtual information session on July 21. Entrants can find additional resources online at ruraltechproject.com.

Apply by Jul 29: DOL Workforce Opportunity Grants for Rural Communities (Round 2)

U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), announced a second round of grant funding for the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative.  ETA’s WORC grants provide needed career, training and support services to eligible individuals in the Appalachian and Delta regions.  Applicants are encouraged to align and integrate workforce development activities with existing state, regional, or community development strategies – including CEDS. Learn more about grant eligibility and how to apply.

USDA Agricultural  Workforce Training Grants Program.  Apply by Sept 24.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is America’s flagship competitive grants program that provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. In FY 2020, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has added  a new area under AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Program to support Agricultural Workforce Training Grants program, including  professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals, as well as  workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges among other eligible activities.

As indicated in the Notice of Funding: The Agricultural Workforce Training (AWT) Grants program area seeks to develop a technology- and data-savvy workforce, ready for the field and industrial jobs within the food and agricultural sciences. Through the development of new workforce training programs, or the expansion, improvement, or renewal of existing workforce training programs at community, junior, and technical colleges/institutes, this program will expand job-based, experiential learning opportunities for students to enable a work-ready labor force for 21st century agricultural jobs. Visit NIFA’s website for more information: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/agriculture-and-food-research-initiative-education-workforce-development.

Open Federal Funding Opportunities:  

Below is a list of previously highlighted funding opportunities that are still open. Enter the Opportunity Number in Grants.gov to see announcement details. You can also search Grants.gov for a full list of current federal opportunities, including programs not listed below.

Opportunity Number Opportunity Title AGENCY Posted Date Close Date
EDA-2019-DISASTER FY 2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental DOC-EDA 08/13/2019 Open
PWEAA2020

 

FY 2020 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs (Includes CARES Act Addendum) DOC-EDA 10/18/2019

Updated 05/07/2020

Open
FR-6400-N-54 HUD’s FY2020 and FY2021 Distressed Cities TA Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) HUD 11/26/2019 Open
2020-NIST-MFGUSA-NEAP-01 NIST Manufacturing USA National Emergency Assistance Program DOC-NIST 03/30/2020 Open
OEA-20-F-0004

 

Defense Manufacturing Communities Support Program DOD-OEA 06/11/2020 07/12/2020
RUS-20-02-DLT

 

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants USDA-RUS 04/15/2020 07/13/2020
HHS-2020-ACF-ANA-NN-1837 Social and Economic Development Strategies – Growing Organizations (GO) HHS-ACF-ANA 05/14/2020 07/13/2020
HRSA-20-109 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Planning HHS-HRSA 05/12/2020 07/13/2020
DE-FOA-0002185 Coal Derived Materials for Building Infrastructure and other Applications DOE-NETL 04/10/2020 07/14/2020
SHTG-FY-20-03 Capacity Building Developmental and Capacity Building Pilot DOL-OSHA 05/19/2020 07/20/2020
SHTG-FY-20-02 Training and Educational Materials Development DOL-OSHA 05/19/2020 07/20/2020
SHTG-FY-20-01 Targeted Topic Training DOL-OSHA 05/19/2020 07/20/2020
RBCS-RCDG-2020 Rural Cooperative Development Grant USDA-RBCS 07/02/2020 08/03/2020
2020NEA01OT NEA Our Town, FY2021 NEA 05/06/2020 08/06/2020
RBCS-SDGG-2020 Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant USDA-RBCS 06/25/2020 08/10/2020
20-581 Disaster Resilience Research Grants NSF 06/13/2020 09/15/2020
BIA-2020-NABDI Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grant; Solicitation of Proposals DOI-BIA 06/18/2020 09/15/2020
BIA-TEDC-2020 Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant; Solicitation DOI-BIA 06/04/2020 09/01/2020

Recently Announced Awards of Interest

Department of Commerce Awards Funds to Build Network for Innovation in Disaster Response and Resiliency Technology

On July 1, three U.S. Department of Commerce agencies, the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), announced the awardee of the Accelerate R2 Network (R2 Network) Challenge. The R2 Network Challenge is an interagency program that connects stakeholders in the response and resilience (R2) industries, accelerating the speed at which startups and other organizations can bring innovations to the public safety market, create new businesses and jobs, and support community resilience.

The three agencies selected a public-private partnership to establish and operate the R2 Network, consisting of entrepreneurs, early stage investors, local government and public safety stakeholders. Together, along with the State of New Hampshire serving as a key strategic partner and collaborator, these partners will form a national, free-to-use, and self-sustaining platform that brings stakeholders together for a common goal: to support innovators and agencies in empowering first responders with the tools and technologies they need to stay safe and protect our communities. To learn more about the R2 Network and to sign up for updates, please visit: learn.rapidsos.com/r2-network.

MBDA Announces $10M in CARES Act Awards

On June 22, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) announced the deployment of $10 million in CARES Act funding to the network of MBDA Business Centers and national minority chambers of commerce. The grants will be used for education, training, and advising small and minority business enterprises in their recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Funding is provided for a 12-month period from June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021.

The CARES Act funding was distributed to existing MBDA Business Centers and national minority chambers of commerce who have the infrastructure to provide national coverage and the capacity to implement nationwide programs that reach large quantities of minority business enterprises. For additional information on MBDA and CARES Act funding, visit www.mbda.gov.

 

Webinars, Tools & Research

July 13 @ 2pm ET:  HUD Webinar Series for Local Governments Serving Small Communities

The Responding to COVID-19 webinar series presents resources for small units of general local government (UGLGs) related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the webinars provide digestible information on how small UGLGs may access public funding, data, and other resources made available due to the pandemic. Register today!

This webinar series will consist of a total of six sessions spread across three topic areas. The topic areas are: housing, health, and economic development.

Webinar:           Responding to the Housing Challenges Posed by the Pandemic, Session 1

Date and Time   July 13, 2020   2:00-3:30 PM EDT

Registration      Register Now

You must have a HUD Exchange account to register. Follow these instructions for registering.

Future Sessions:

  • July 20, 2020 Addressing Challenges to the Health and Childcare Systems
  • July 28, 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Strategies for Small Business Districts

Aug 14 Deadline: NSF and NIST Joint Call for Research on Disaster Resilience.

With this joint solicitation, the NSF and the U.S Department of Commerce (DOC) National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) call for proposals for research to advance fundamental understanding of disaster resilience in support of improved, science-based planning, policy, decisions, design, codes, and standards.  Letters of Intent are due August 14, full submissions will be due on September 15, 2020. See NSF’s Solicitation  20-581 for more information.

Energy Department Releases Report on Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Opportunities

The Department of Energy this month released a new report “The Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Renaissance” ,  that studies energy production and related issues in parts of 13 states that encompass the Appalachia region, with a focus on Northern to Central Appalachia, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. This area is also the heart of the Appalachian coal fields. The Department of Energy led the effort with contributions from the Appalachian Regional Commission and six other federal agencies. The report addresses a number of ongoing and potential workforce development activities, the importance of broadband and includes some coverage of EDA’s Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms program. A summary of recommendations and full report is available on DOE’ webpage HERE.

New Report on Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Food and Agriculture Markets

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) and the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) have partnered together on a new paper, “Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Food and Agricultural Markets.” This publication contains insights from 29 experts and is now available for download.  The paper’s authors discuss the following topics: macroeconomics, trade, supply chain, consumer behavior, food service/grocery, meat processing, forestry and wood products, local food systems, food waste, food insecurity, major commodity crops, agricultural finance, agricultural labor, rural health care, and research and outreach priorities.

 

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

Where to Find Federal Disaster Declarations

  • You can find the latest federal emergency and disaster declarations, as well as prior declarations for other areas, on FEMA’s disaster declarations webpage.
  • Amended Declarations: Existing Declarations may be subsequently amended to expand covered areas, provide notification that an incident has been closed, or make other necessary changes.

Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-emergency-management-agency#documents

Funding and other Assistance Available for Economic Recovery:

Resources for COVID-19 Disaster Assistance:

The situation is rapidly changing, and new announcements are being issued frequently.  Some of the following may be of particular interest to economic development stakeholders:

· Official Site for Federal Resources: usa.gov/coronavirus

For a current compilation of federal resources visit:  www.usa.gov/coronavirus.

The following agency specific announcements are highlighted for your convenience:

· Coronavirus Disease 2019 National Emergency Declaration

  • View President Trump’s nationwide Emergency declaration for COVID19
  • See FEMA’s Major Disaster Declarations by State/Territory,

· Department of Commerce Resources

The Department posts updated information about programs and assistance with Coronavirus impacts at https://www.commerce.gov/coronavirus.  Highlights include:

· Census COVID-19 Data Hub

For accurate, real-time data on the U.S. population and economy, visit www.census.gov/coronavirus to find the following data sets that are available to assist planners, policy makers and communities with pandemic related decision making:

· EDA CARES Act Funding Available through PWEAA FY2020 NOFO. 

EDA added an addendum to its FY2020 Announcement inviting applications for $1.467B in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance projects that will help communities prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus, or recover from economic injury as a result of coronavirus. Visit www.eda.gov/coronavirus for application and contact info. 

MBDA Centers Received CARES Act Funding

MBDA  has provided supplemental funding to existing Minority Business Development Centers and chambers of commerce to support businesses and communities with recovery.

NIST MEP Centers Received CARES Act Funding. 

NIST MEP launched the application process for $50 million in grants to help manufacturers respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. NIST will issue supplemental funding awards to Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico for COVID-19-related projects.  

NIST Manufacturing USA Offers Emergency Funding to Institutes

NIST opened a funding opportunity for rapid, high-impact projects that support the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic through the NIST Manufacturing USA National Emergency Assistance Program. Funding will be awarded to eligible Manufacturing USA® institutes, with no requirements for cost matching.

NOAA CARES Act Funding for Assistance to Fisheries

NOAA announced that it will allocate $300M in CARES Act funds  to impacted communities  with fishery-related losses. Interstate marine fisheries commissions, PR and USVI will disburse funds to address coronavirus-related losses

NTIA Broadband USA Funding Guide -Updated. 

NTIA  updated the Federal funding section of the BroadbandUSA website with the FY20 programs and funding levels provided by agencies. See also accompanying blog.

Webpages for Assistance from ERSF Partner Agencies (FEMA, DOL, SBA, TREAS, USDA)

  • FEMA current disaster declarations and related resources
  • Department of Labor resources for workers and employers, including job training, unemployment insurance and workplace safety information.
  • SBA resources to assist Small Businesses and entrepreneurs access business advising, contracting assistance and capital to maintain and grow their operations.
  • Treasury Department site provides IRS guidance for taxpayers, Assistance for State and Local governments available through the Coronavirus Relief Fund and other assistance to preserve American jobs, industries and communities, including Opportunity Zones.
  • USDA programs to support rural area with a range of economic development needs from business grants and loans, to broadband and other critical infrastructure are summarized in their COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

More federal recovery resources to support economic recovery:

· DOD Joint Acquisition Task Force Industry Portal – Procurement and Grant Opportunities

The COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force, in partnership with the Department of the Air Force, created an industry portal to collect information from suppliers for goods and services to meet the urgent need for medical resources. The request for information is on the COVID-19 JATF Industry Portal.

· Education Stabilization Fund Grant Programs:

Under the CARES Act, the Department of Education was allocated $30.75 billion to create the Education Stabilization Fund. These funds support State Education Agencies and Local Education Agencies during the pandemic. Funds are split over four major grant programs: Education Stabilization Fund Discretionary Grants, Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. The Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology has also been releasing a blog series titled Keep Calm and Connect All Students.

· FCC Lifeline and Broadband Services:

A number of the major broadband providers announced today that they will be extending their commitments under the Keep Americans Connected Pledge until June 30th in order to support American households and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The pledge previously included a 60 day commitment.  Additionally, several deadlines for the Lifeline Program have been extended. The Commission, also, recently adopted an R&O opening up the 6GHz band for unlicensed use. For more information on the FCC’s COVID-19 efforts, visit its Keeping Americans Connected page.

· HUD CARES Act Community & Economic Development Programs (including CDBG)

The CARES Act provided $5B for HUD to assist states, communities and nonprofits in their COVID 19 responses through its Community Planning and Development programs, including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG-CV), Emergency Solutions Grant program (ESG-CV) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA-CV).  For more information on CDBG-CV, view these links:

· HUD’s Public Housing Operations Fund Expanded for Coronavirus Response:

HUD received $686 million under the CARES Act for the Public Housing Operations Fund. Money from this fund may be used to support the health and safety of occupants in public housing. Devices like hotspots are considered eligible expenses. More information on HUD’s Coronavirus response can be found on its Coronavirus page.

· HHS/HRSA CARES Grants for Small Rural Hospitals  

HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) received $150 million through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – PDF to assist hospitals funded through the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) respond to this public health emergency. The CARES Act funding allows hospitals maximum flexibility in how they respond to COVID-19 within their communities, including the provision of testing and laboratory services as well as the purchase of personal protective equipment to minimize COVID-19 exposure.

Non-Federal Resources of Note:

· NADO’s RDO COVID-19 Resource Center

Webpages are regularly updated with new Federal, State and Regional resources to assist with economic recovery.  Also includes results of NADO’s March 20 member survey – take a look at the summary here., and has links to several EDD webpages that are responding to the crisis in their areas.

· IEDC Covid-19 Resources for Economic Developers

IEDC’s webpage features its guide for economic recovery:  Leadership in Times of Crisis: A Toolkit for Economic Recovery and Resiliency that provides useful information and resources on disaster preparedness, crisis response, business continuity and recovery strategies that a business or community can use to mitigate against the risks posed. IEDC also include links to its  Impact Surveys and Needs Assessmentsbased on member input.

· CDFA – COVID19 Resource Center.

The CDFA COVID-19 Resource Center is a collection of financing programs and resources to address disaster relief and recovery. https://www.cdfa.net/cdfa/cdfaweb.nsf/resourcecenters/COVID-19.html

Assistance for Natural Disasters:

EDA FY19 Disaster Supplemental Funding Available for Areas Impacted by 2018/19 Natural Disasters

EDA’s Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), made available $587 million for eligible grantees in communities impacted by Presidentially declared natural disasters in 2018, and by floods and tornadoes in 2019. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. View Opportunity Number EDA-2019-DISASTER on Grants.gov,  and contact your EDA Regional Office representative for eligibility information and application assistance.

NIST Funding Available for MEP Disaster Assessment Program

NIST invites applications from current recipients of Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center cooperative agreements (MEP Centers) to perform assessments of small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in areas subject to a FEMA Disaster Declaration under the NIST MEP Disaster Assessment Program. NIST will accept applications from MEP Centers on a rolling basis based on the date of the subject FEMA Disaster Declaration. See NOFO (2020-NIST-MEP-MDAP-01) for full details.

EPA Toolkit Features Resources to Prepare for Natural Disasters

The U.S. EPA Urban Waters Federal Partnership has released a new toolkit, How to Prepare for Natural Disasters: A Pre-Disaster Toolkit for Small to Medium-Sized Communities. Click here to access the toolkit.

HUD TA for Disaster Recovery in Small Cities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is accepting requests for Technical Assistance (TA) under the new Distressed Cities Technical Assistance (DCTA) Program.  Note that HUD strongly encourages interested jurisdictions to contact your HUD Field Office prior to submitting a request for TA.

 

Economic Recovery Support & the National Disaster Response Framework

Read more about the Economic Recovery Support Function (ERSF) and the National Disaster Response Framework here: https://www.eda.gov/disaster-recovery/