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.

Click here to view all weekly federal announcement posts.

Funding & Resource Announcements

Announcements of Federal Funding & Assistance Available:

USDA RD Value Added Producer Grant Opportunity – Closes Jan 24

This announcement was initially announced in August 2017, and is closing soon. USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting applications for the Value Added Producer Grant program. Its purpose is to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

Grants will be awarded competitively for either planning or working capital projects directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. All proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability in order to compete for funding. Funding priority will be made available to Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, Operators of Small and Medium-Sized Farms and Ranches structured as Family Farms or Ranches, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives, and projects proposing to develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain. For more information and application criteria, visit the announcement on Grants.gov: RDBCP-VAPG-2017

DOD Announces Funding Support for Manufacturing-Focused Engineering Curricula. White Papers due Feb 16

N00014-18-S-F005 the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2017 established the “Manufacturing Engineering Education Program,” (MEEP) which authorizes the Department of Defense to support industry-relevant, manufacturing-focused, engineering training at United States institutions of higher education, industry, nonprofit institutions, and consortia of such institutions or industry. The purpose of this program is to establish new or to enhance existing programs (or collections of programs) to better position the current and next-generation manufacturing workforce to produce military systems and components that assure technological superiority for the Department of Defense (DoD).

The Office of Naval Research announced a funding opportunity on January 12, identifying $5,400,00 for investment.  Each individual award will be up to a maximum of $600,000 per year for up to three (3) years.  All responsible sources from industry, not-for-profit institutions, institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions or industry may submit white papers under the FOA.  The due date for receipt of initial white papers is February 16.

SBIR/STTR Grant Application Opportunities:

For more information about SBIR/STTR Programs generally, visit SBA’s  SBIR Website as managed by SBA’s Office of Investment & Innovation for complete and thorough details. For information about research priorities and current opportunities announced by specific federal agencies, see listings below:

Ag Related Manufacturing and Renewable Energies Technologies –USDA SBIR Phase II Applications Due March 8.

USDA SBIR – Phase II Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-SBIR-006428

USDA is seeking applications for SBIR Phase II projects dealing with agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies. Applicants must have previously completed a successful USDA Phase I project before applying for a Phase II grant. USDA SBIR’s flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA’s vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air, and water. USDA SBIR awarded research and development projects have allowed hundreds of small businesses to explore their technological potential and providing an incentive to profit from the commercialization of innovative ideas. Small businesses are eligible to apply. See Request for Applications for additional eligibility criteria and more information.

NIST SBIR Phase I Grant Opportunities – Closes April 4

2018-NIST-SBIR-01 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites small businesses to submit Phase I research applications under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Science and technology-based firms with strong research capabilities in any of the areas listed in Section 9 of the NOFO (including advanced communications, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, exploratory measurement, health and bioscience, physical infrastructure and resilience, and lab to market efforts) are encouraged to participate: 2018-NIST-SBIR-01 NOFO/Full Announcement

The research topic areas that will be supported by NIST’s SBIR program are those aligned with NIST’s investment priority areas identified in NIST’s Three-Year Programmatic Plan, FY 2017-2019: http://www.nist.gov/director/planning/planning.cfm.

NIH SBIR/STTR Grant Opportunities Announced

The National Institutes of Health invites eligible United States small business concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications. NIH’s Omnibus Solicitations listed below include applications supporting research priorities for NIH, CDC and FDA. Click each of the following funding opportunity announcements to learn more:

PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Required) 

PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) 

PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Required)

Reminder of Federal Funding Opportunities Closing Soon:

Below is a list of previously highlighted funding opportunities that are still open. Visit www.grants.gov for a complete list of all current opportunities:

Public Meetings, Events and Training

January 24-26: U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in DC

The U.S. Conference of Mayors will hold its 86th Winter Meeting in Washington D.C. on January 24. 26. The latest draft agenda notes concurrent workshops on education and workforce development, “future of work,” broadband deployment, disaster recovery, immigration, small business, and technology and innovation.

February 6 Virtual Meeting – Task Force on Apprenticeship

The Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion is a FACA committee established by Presidential Executive Order that is charged with identifying strategies and proposals to promote and expand apprenticeships, especially in sectors where apprenticeship programs are insufficient. The Task Force is solely advisory in nature, and will consider reports, comments, research, evidence, and existing practices as appropriate to develop recommendations for inclusion in its final report to the President. To achieve its mission, the Task Force will likely convene four meetings between February and May 2018; two meetings will convene virtually and two meetings will convene in person.

The tentative agenda for the February 6 meeting includes the following:

• Updates Since November 2017 Meeting
• Overview and Status Report on the Work of the Subcommittees
• Taking Apprenticeship to Scale

Meeting logistics will be posted on the Task Force homepage at: https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/task-force.htm.

February 20 Webinar for EDA Revolving Loan Fund Administrators

CDFA will offer a webinar for EDA RLF Grantees on February 20, 2018 at 2pm Eastern. Topic is: Maximizing Revolving Loan Fund Impact. Registration is free and open for all EDA RLF grantees. See https://www.cdfa.net/cdfa/cdfaweb.nsf/pages/edarlfprogram.html

March 21 NADO Training Workshop on CEDS (Arlington VA)

The workshop will be held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway , 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Please e-mail Program Manager Brett Schwartz at [email protected] with any questions. 

UEDA Announces October 21 – 24 Annual Summit theme: “Disruptive Economic Development – Higher Education Ecosystems”

The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Annual Summit will be held this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Click hear to learn More …

Reports, Tools and Data

Story Map illustrates EPA’s work with Communities

Community revitalization efforts can take a variety of forms. A new story map, “Community Stories,” profiles how EPA has worked alongside local leaders to help them achieve their goals and realize their vision for a brighter future.

• Little Rock, Arkansas: To help catalyze redevelopment of the town’s main street corridor, EPA worked with Little Rock on streetscape designs that improve walkability and add vibrancy to downtown.
• Fresno, California: EPA and Fresno developed strategies, such as increasing public transit options, to spur downtown revitalization.

• Iowa City, Iowa: Following massive flooding in 2008, EPA helped Iowa City plan for redevelopment and increased flood resilience in one of the city’s riverfront districts.

• State of Vermont: After Tropical Storm Irene hit in 2011, Vermont’s partnership with EPA and FEMA resulted in statewide and local actions aimed at improving flood recovery and planning.

• Williamson, West Virginia: EPA worked with this rural community to develop strategies for using local food interests and health facilities as drivers for revitalization.

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

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

Non-Federal Funding Opportunities

Hurricane Community Recovery Fund

Enterprise Community Partners is making grants available through its Hurricane Community Recovery Fund to support nonprofit organizations engaged in recovery and relief services to low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

URL: https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/solutions-and-innovation/recovery-and-rebuilding

Application Deadline: Ongoing

San Antonio Area Foundation Fund Accepting Applications for Hurricane Harvey Relief

Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations in the San Antonio area working to help residents affected by the storm or those who have been evacuated from other areas of the state.

URL: http://saafdn.org/Nonprofits/Grants/DisasterReliefFunding.aspx

Application Deadline: Ongoing

Updates on FEMA Response in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Click on these links to find  up-to-date information on FEMA’s response to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on FEMA’s webpage

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

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