Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of August 27, 2018

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. Special thanks to ETA and other federal partners for sharing content included below.

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

Announcements of Federal Funding & Assistance Available:

 

Economic Development

 

NEW USDA Seeking Training and Technical Assistance Providers for its Rural Economic Development Initiative. Apply by Sept 5

The Department of Agriculture is seeking applications to support regional economic development planning efforts in rural communities under the Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) initiative. USDA has identified the availability of $750,000 in competitive cooperative agreement funds in fiscal year (FY) 2018. Awardees will provide technical assistance to rural communities in two areas:

Ø  Planning Technical Assistance to rural communities by assisting in the development of regional economic development plans. Ø  Implementation Technical Assistance on implementation of the project priorities emerging from the regional economic development plans.

The deadline for receipt of a complete application is midnight Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, September 5, via www.grants.gov. See: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=308401

Questions about this announcement can be directed to Christine Sorensen, Regional Coordinator, via 202–568–9832 or [email protected] .

EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program – Now Accepting FY18 Applications

The US Economic Development Administration posted a Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on www.grants.gov regarding Economic Development Assistance Program grants available for construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Programs. Through this FY2018 NOFO, EDA will also designate a portion of its EAA funding to support communities and regions that have been negatively impacted by changes in the coal economy (Assistance to Coal Communities, or ACC 2018). Grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity.  Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new EDAP NOFO. See: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=306735

 

 

Entrepreneurship & Technology Commercialization

EDA FY18 Regional Innovation Strategies Program – Applications Due Aug 29.

EDA-HDQ-OIE-2018-2005523 Applications are due this week for two separate competitions under EDA’s Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program—the 2018 i6 Challenge and the 2018 Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grant Competition. $16 million is available under the i6 Challenge to support the creation of centers for innovation and entrepreneurship that increase the rate at which innovations, ideas, intellectual property, and research are translated into products, services, viable companies, and jobs. Submit applications via Grants.gov. Current Closing Date for Applications: August 29, 2018.

More information can be found on the RIS webpage.

 

DOE SBIR/STTR Opportunities Closing Soon –Online Training Available to Assist with Applications:

Department of Energy issued a reminder of important dates for the DOE FY 2019 Phase I Release 1 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) (DE-FOA-0001940):

  • Letters of Intent (LOI) are due on Tuesday, September 04, 2018 5:00pm ET. 
  • Grant applications are due on Monday, October 15, 2018 11:59pm ET.

To assist with preparation for  Phase I grant applications, DOE has developed the SBIR/STTR Online Tutorial and Guidance website (www.doesbirlearning.com).  There are numerous brief tutorials on the website, including those highlighted below:

  •  Tutorial 13:  “How do you prepare a Letter of Intent (LOI)?”  DOE is unique in its requirement that Phase I SBIR/STTR applicants must submit an LOI before submitting a full proposal.
  • Tutorial 12: “What are the Required Registrations?” This tutorial focuses on the required registrations applicant companies MUST complete before submitting a DOE Phase I SBIR or STTR proposal, and provides assistance with registering for DUNS, PAMS, SAM, grants.gov, FedConnect and more
  • Tutorial 9: “DOE Application Checklist.”  This tutorial provides information to ensure that you don’t omit required documents—such omissions could result in your application being administratively declined.
  • Tutorial 32: “How and When to Submit the Application.”  This tutorial guides you through the submission of your application to Grants.gov.  Please note that all grant applications MUST be submitted through Grants.gov to be eligible for award.

If you need assistance, you may contact the DOE SBIR/STTR Help Desk at [email protected] or call (301) 903-5707.

 

Fisheries Industry Assistance

NEW NOAA Seeks Application for FY 2019 Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) grants for Southeast US. Apply by Oct 23

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Region, is seeking proposals under the Marine Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN), for research and development projects that optimize the use of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and off the South Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, involving the U.S. fishing industry (recreational and commercial), including fishery biology, resources assessment, socio-economic assessment, management and conservation, selected harvesting methods, and fish handling and processing. This program addresses NOAA’s mission goal “Healthy Oceans.”

 

MARFIN is a competitive Federal assistance program. Projects funded under MARFIN provide answers for fishery needs covered by the NMFS Strategic Plan, particularly those goals relating to: rebuilding over-fished marine fisheries, maintaining currently productive fisheries, and integrating conservation of protected species and fisheries management.

Dates: Applications must be received by http://www.Grants.gov, postmarked, or provided to a delivery service by 11:59 pm, Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Infrastructure

USDA Rural Utilities Service Has TA and Training Grants Available for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure. Apply by Sept 8.

USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has announced an additional application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 for the Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program (TAT) to support rural water and waste water systems operations. Applications are due by September 8. Full background / organizational eligibility / application requirements / evaluation criteria / reporting requirements: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-08-09/pdf/2018-16997.pdf

 

USDA Publishes Notice of Solicitation for FY19 REAP Applications (Rural Energy for America Program

USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service has published a Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) in the August 14 FEDERAL REGISTER prior to passage of a final appropriations act.  This publication allows potential applicants time to submit applications for financial assistance under Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, and give the Agency time to process applications within the current FY.

The REAP has two types of funding assistance:·         The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance provides grants and guaranteed loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. ·         The Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant is available to establish programs to assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses with evaluating the energy efficiency and the potential to incorporate renewable energy technologies into their operations.The Agency will publish the amount of funding received in any continuing resolution or the final appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas.

 

Workforce Development:

ETA Announces Availability of up to $100 Million for Trade and Economic Transition National Dislocated Worker Grants

The Employment and Training Administration has published Training and Employment Guidance Letter 2-18.  This TEGL announce the availability of up to $100 million for Trade and Economic Transition National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs), with funding amounts of up to $8million for each award. This grant will enable successful applicants to address ongoing or emerging workforce and economic challenges by providing training and career services to dislocated workers seeking reentry into the workforce, and increasing their skill levels to become competitive for growing or high-demand employment opportunities. Available funds for this grant could be reduced by other, unforeseen DWG funding needs, such as natural disasters and national emergencies, including national health emergencies such as the opioid crisis.

See: https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=5927

 

Previously Announced Federal Funding Opportunities Closing Soon:  

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
EDAP2018 FY 2018 Economic Development Assistance Programs. Application submission and program requirements for EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs
RD-RDCA-REDI2018 Rural Development Cooperative Agreement Program – Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) initiative planning assistance. 08/21/2018 09/05/2018
ETA-TEGL-2-18-DWG Trade and Economic Transition National Dislocated Worker Grants 09/07/2018
TAT-NOFA-18 Rural Utilities Service Training and Technical Assistance Program WEP TAT NOFA FY 18   09/09/2018
FOA-ETA-18-04 YouthBuild 05/18/2018 09/18/2018
NSF 17-590 Improving Undergraduate STEM Education NSF 08/22/2017 10/01/2018
FOA-ETA-18-08 Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies 07/18/2018 10/16/2018
NOAA-NMFS-SE-2019-2005794 FY 2019 Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) 08/22/2018 10/23/2018
USDA-NIFA-SBIR-006649 Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Fiscal Year 2019 07/23/2018 10/25/2018
EDA-HDQ-RNTA-2018-2005669 Economic Development Research and National Technical Assistance FY18-FY20 09/30/2020

 

 

Public Meetings, Events and Training

NEW Respond by Aug 31: USDA Invites Partners to Join the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN)

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is inviting organizations to join a national network of public-private partners to support rural workforce development and skills management.

USDA’s Rural Development Innovation Center created the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) initiative to enable rural partners to share solutions to complex issues, identify available resources, and increase access to workforce opportunities. The network also will collaborate to ensure that rural workers have access to training that aligns with the skills employers need.

Please indicate your interest in joining the network by emailing [email protected] by August 31, 2018.

Interested partners should submit a document no longer than two pages that includes the organization’s name, contact information, and its past and present contributions, which should include one or more of the following workforce development interests:

  • Use of labor market and data to drive strategies;
  • Public-private collaboration to attract employers and define workforce requirements;
  • Workforce readiness and training;
  • Apprenticeship and job placements;
  • Recruitment and retention;
  • Sector-based best practices related to workforce (i.e. veterans, telecommunications, water, manufacturing, health care, etc.); and
  • Succession planning, including strategies such as worker cooperatives.

RWIN members will be announced in September.

NEW Webinar Sept 6:  Census Bureau Webinar on Release of 2017 American Community Survey Statistics

The Census Bureau will hold a webinar on September 6 from 1-2 p.m. (Eastern) in advance of the September 13 release of the 2017 American Community Survey statistics.

The webinar will show participants how to access new data and online resources from the 2017 American Community Survey. Attendees will also learn about changes related to this release, and tips for comparing geographies and statistics over time.

Full background / speakers / toll-free number / access code:

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2018/acs-webinar.html

 

 

Meeting Sept 13 – DHS Announces President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council to Meet

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) will meet Thursday, September 13, 2018, in Arlington, VA. This meeting will be open to the public.

The NIAC will meet to discuss issues relevant to critical infrastructure security and resilience, as directed by the President. The Council will discuss future tasks and host a cross-sector panel discussion about various risks facing critical infrastructure. All slide presentations will be posted prior to the meeting on the Council’s public web page, www.dhs.gov/NIAC.

 

Full background and contacts for registration and/or provision of comments:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-08-16/pdf/2018-17716.pdf

 

No Cost TA Available on EPA Brownfields Communities Program

 

EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program helps communities, states, tribes and others understand risks associated with contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, called brownfields, and learn how to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse them. EPA funds three organizations—Kansas State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Center for Creative Land Recycling—to serve as independent sources of technical assistance. Each of these TABs has an extensive network of partners, contractors and other contacts that provides services across the country. They help communities tackle a variety of challenges related to identifying, assessing, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields. The technical assistance comes at no cost to communities.

 

TAB helps communities:

  • Identify, inventory and prioritize brownfields for redevelopment.
  • Determine the potential public health impact of brownfields.
  • Get the public and other stakeholders involved.
  • Facilitate site reuse goal-setting and planning charrettes.
  • Evaluate economic feasibility of reuse plans.
  • Conduct educational workshops, seminars and webinars.
  • Use Web-based tools to facilitate brownfields redevelopment.
  • Interpret technical brownfield reports, assessments and plans.
  • Identify appropriate funding/financing approaches.
  • Integrate approaches to brownfield cleanup and redevelopment.
  • Understand and navigate regulatory requirements.
  • Apply for and manage EPA brownfields grants.
  • Develop work plans.
  • Hire planning and environmental contractors and consultants.

 

For more information, visit EPA’s webpage for the full technical assistance description.

 

 

Also Upcoming:

 

 

  • NERETA’s Developing a Talent Pipeline for the Healthcare Industry (September 17 – 18, Scranton, PA) http://summit.nereta.org/

 

·         NTIA Broadband Summit on October 30 (Roanoke, Virginia)

Notice of Virginia Broadband Summit 10/30/2018

 

 

 

Reports, Tools and Data

Four States Selected for Policy Academy to Strengthen Manufacturing

Four states have been selected to participate in a Policy Academy designed to help grow and strengthen manufacturing in their states. State teams will begin meeting in Washington, D.C. with policy experts to develop or further refine strategies to bolster manufacturing.

The Policy Academy is being coordinated by two national organizations — SSTI and the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) – with support from the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) based at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The four participants chosen for the Policy Academy are:

  • Kentucky,
  • New Jersey,
  • Puerto Rico and
  • Utah.

Each team includes representatives from the participants’ governor’s office, state economic development department, Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, manufacturing trade association, and other manufacturing centers.

The year-long Policy Academy will guide the states through a planning and implementation process to identify relevant manufacturing-related partnerships and policies to move their economic development strategies forward. Each participant will receive customized assistance through access to national experts and collaboration with colleagues in other states. They may choose to focus on addressing skills gaps, accelerating start-up growth, expanding their market, improving their supply chain or other priorities the state teams identify. The four states were selected after a competitive application process. A second cohort for the Academy is expected to be selected in 2019.

 

New Document Focuses on Steps to Improve the Development of the U.S. Construction Workforce

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA)has joined other industry stakeholders in publicly supporting seven policy recommendations to make the United States the world leader in workforce development.  RT 335, issued this month, tackles the topic: “Restoring the Dignity of Work: Transforming the U.S. Workforce Development System into a World Leader.” This advocacy document is meant to educate local, state, and federal legislators on why reforming our workforce system is critical. It outlines seven policies that can be implemented in less than three years that will positively impact workforce development.

The policies are based on three years of analysis of more than two million data points, more than 21 separate data sources, and 45 site visits of workforce development stakeholders across North America and Europe. Research was funded by NCCER, Construction Users Roundtable, Ironworkers/IMPACT, and Construction Industry Institute.

The seven policies are:

  • Establish and strengthen the awareness of career opportunities in our nation.
  • Revitalize our work-based learning programs.
  • Measure performance and involvement in workforce development when awarding construction contracts.
  • Redefine how we measure the quality of our nation’s secondary education system.
  • Increase participation of underrepresented groups in career and technical education by career and college readiness.
  • Establish and expand collaboration between industry, education, and government.
  • Develop more balanced funding among post-secondary career and technical education and higher education.

 

The full report is available at http://www.seaa.net/uploads/1/1/1/0/111028269/cii-rt335-longver-072018-lowres-final.pdf.

 

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

Primary site for Disaster Recovery Assistance: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Funding Assistance for Recovery Efforts:

USDA Has Nearly $2 Billion Available to Assist Eligible Producers Affected by 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires

Agricultural producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires in 2017 now may apply for assistance to help recover and rebuild their farming operations. Signup begins July 16, 2018, and continues through November 16, 2018.

See: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/07/16/nearly-2-billion-now-available-eligible-producers-affected-2017

 

NIST Disaster Resilience (DR) Research Grants Program Seeks Applicants

The Disaster Resilience (DR) Research Grants Program seeks applications from eligible applicants to conduct research aimed at advancing the principles of resilience in building design and building codes and standards.  Research proposals must support the overall effort of developing science-based building codes by evaluating potential technologies and architectural design criteria to improve disaster resilience in the built environment. See Grants.gov for more information and application instructions: 2018-NIST-DR

 

EDA Has Supplemental Funding Available for Areas Impacted by 2017 Hurricanes, Wildfires and Other Disasters

In April 2018, EDA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity, (EDA-2018-DISASTER) inviting applications for $587 million in grants available to eligible entities to address economic challenges in disaster-impacted areas. These grants will support disaster recovery activities in areas receiving a major disaster designation as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and wildfires and other 2017 natural disasters. EDA plans to accept proposals on a rolling basis until all funds are obligated.  Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. See the following links for details:

 

Related Resources – NonFederal:

Updates on FEMA Response in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Where to Find Federal Disaster Declarations

  • Is your home, business or community included in a federally declared emergency or disaster area? 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.

These are posted in the Federal Register here: https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-emergency-management-agency#documents

Economic Recovery Support