Advanced Manufacturing Partnership for Southern California (AMP SoCal)

Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of June 4, 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:

 

NADO Announces Opening of the 2018 Competition for Innovation Awards

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s regional development organizations. The association and its members promote regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America’s local communities.

“Regional Development Organization” is used generically to describe the national network of 540 multi-jurisdictional regional planning and development organizations. These public-based entities play an invaluable role in fostering intergovernmental collaboration among federal, state and local officials. They deliver and manage various federal and state programs. Most importantly, they work to solve area wide issues and to address the fundamental building blocks required for competitive and sustainable communities and economies.

Each year, NADO recognizes member organizations that demonstrate innovative approaches to regional economic and community development through its Innovation Awards program.  Over 1,500 NADO member projects have been recognized since 1986 for their creative efforts in advancing regional economic development and improved quality of life.  The breadth and scope of the winning projects is impressive and far-reaching and illustrates the important role NADO members have in supporting regional development.  Previous award-winning projects have showcased innovative efforts in a variety of program areas including business and economic development, community health initiatives, emergency planning, brownfields, sustainability, technology, transportation, workforce development, and many others.

NADO has opened the 2018 competition for the Innovation Awards.  Applications are due by July 20.

See: https://www.nado.org/2018-nado-innovation-award-application

 

Economic – Access to Capital

NEW! Economic Development Administration Announces Funding Opportunity for the University Center Economic Development Program for Austin and Denver Region Geographies

References:

Federal funding opportunities, Federal strategic plans, regional economic development, entrepreneurship, STEM, workforce training, distressed communities, broadband, supply chains, technical assistance…

 

The purpose of the Economic Development Administration University Center Economic Development Program is to enable institutions of higher education and consortia of institutions of higher education to establish and operate University Centers specifically focused on using university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship. University Centers collaborate with other EDA partners by providing expertise and technical assistance to develop, implement and support regional strategies which result in job creation, high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion in a region’s innovation clusters.  Expertise and technical assistance may address, for example, applied research centers, technology commercialization, feasibility studies, market research, economic impact analyses training, and other technical assistance to help communities foster vibrant economic ecosystems.

EDA recognizes that institutions of higher education are critical players in the development of vibrant economic ecosystems. Universities are sources of significant economic development assets—such as faculty, staff, students, research and proof of concept centers, laboratories, and high-speed broadband networks—that can support regional economic growth. In addition, universities create significant knowledge spillovers and possess broader and deeper networks of expertise that can assist innovators and entrepreneurs. Potential university-based support for economic growth includes the commercialization of research, the conversion of intellectual property and ideas into products and services, and the support of regionally-owned strategies that support business expansion and job creation.

Since FY 2004, EDA has administered the University Center program as a competitive multi-year program.

In FY 2018, EDA has announced it is holding the competition for its Austin and Denver Regional Office geographies.  An accredited institution of higher education, including a community college or junior college, or a consortium of accredited institutions of higher education is eligible to apply for and to receive funding under these competitions.

Both solicitations have a floor of $80,000 and ceiling of $200,000.  Applications are due by July 15.

EDA encourages the submission of applications that will create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skill development, workforce training opportunities, applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship and improve regional economic development. A regional economic ecosystem supports innovation clusters through three main components

 

Ø  A highly networked regional talent pool, with specialized expertise relevant to the region’s innovation clusters (including connections along the supply chain and across disciplines so that researchers, academics, investors, suppliers, and entrepreneurs can efficiently share ideas and best practices);

 

Ø  A support system for turning discoveries into marketable goods and services, including business counseling, incubation programs, and proof-of-concept centers; and

 

Ø  Innovation infrastructure (which includes both tangible and non-tangible types) necessary to support innovation such as education, workforce development, and financial infrastructure.

 

 

 In addition, EDA encourages University Center program applications that:

ü  Align with the DOC Strategic Plan 2018-2022, with a focus on advancing STEM skills and capabilities, supporting workforce training opportunities in accordance with the needs of local and regional employers, and/or enhancing manufacturing capacities within the region.

ü  Benefit distressed communities by linking these communities to larger, more vibrant regional economies, including rural-urban linkages; Present a clear plan for collaborating with and assisting other EDA investment partners, recipients, and stakeholders, including EDA-funded Economic Development Districts (EDDs) and Indian Tribes;

ü  Encompass regional, Statewide, and multi-State programs, and create synergies within EDA’s Public Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance, and Partnership Planning programs;

ü  Offer services within a well-defined geographic region in the States and territories covered by the Denver and Austin Regional Offices, and provide a full range of economic development research and technical assistance services to EDA regional partners; and

ü  Tailor services to the region’s needs and each sponsoring institution’s (or consortium’s) strengths.

 

 

Denver: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=305794                          

Austin: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=305793

 

 

Economic – Workforce Development:

 

 

Economic – Entrepreneurship & Technology Commercialization

 

NEW! Economic Development Administration Announces Funding Opportunities under the FY 2018 Regional Innovation Strategies Program (i6 Challenge and Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grant Competition)

 

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is committed to fostering connected, innovation-centric economic sectors that support the conversion of research into products and services, businesses, and ultimately jobs through entrepreneurship.

 

EDA has announced that funding is available for capacity-building programs that provide proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to innovators and entrepreneurs and for operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage funding to startups.  The RIS Program empowers communities to provide proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to innovators and entrepreneurs and operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage funding to startups, building platforms from which they can best leverage public and private sector infrastructure investments in broadband and digital connectivity, transportation, education, and beyond.

 

Under the RIS Program, EDA is soliciting applications for two separate competitions:

 

 

 

Eligible applicants for EDA financial assistance under this NOFO include:

 

EDA plans to conduct an informational webinar for this NOFO and expects to make available scheduling information and a link to a recording at http://www.eda.gov/oie/ris/

The deadline for receipt of applications is August 29.

Also see: https://www.eda.gov/news/blogs/2018/05/31/ris.htm

 

Economic- Technical Assistance

 

NEW! NIST MEP launches Manufacturing Policy Academy

From SSTI’s May 31 Newsletter

NIST’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership program launched a new Policy Academy focused on manufacturing this week. Funded by NIST MEP and organized by SSTI and the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC), the Policy Academy is designed to help states build upon existing strategies, leverage available resources, and spur creative new ideas about how to address major challenges or leverage opportunities around the manufacturing sector. Through a customized and collaborative experience, the Policy Academy will help teams of four-to-ten members representing a cross-section of policymakers and practitioners from relevant state agencies and stakeholder groups to identify best practices, partnerships, and policies to strengthen the manufacturers in their states.

The request for proposals, which can be downloaded here, covers the first of two academy cohorts, with up to four states selected. The first cohort will be from states selected from the 15 states that are not holding gubernatorial elections in 2018 (Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia). The second cohort, in 2019-2020, will be selected from the remaining states. For additional information regarding eligibility and how to apply, contact Jonathan Dworin at SSTI.

All states are required to engage a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) Center on their proposal team.

The downloadable RFP includes application guidelines. The deadline to submit a proposal is July 6, 2018, by 5 p.m. EDT. SSTI will host a bidders’ conference call on June 12 at 3 p.m. EDT, to offer guidance and answer specific questions about the request for proposals. Details about this call are included in the request for proposals.

 

Education

 

Infrastructure

 

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
USDA-NIFA-FSMA-006549 Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grant Program 2018 USDA-NIFA 04/16/2018 06/07/2018
NNH18ZDA001N-DISASTERS ROSES 2018: Earth Science Applications: Disaster Risk Reduction and Response NASA-HQ 02/15/2018 06/14/2018
DE-FOA-0001755 Industry Partnerships for Cybersecurity of Energy Delivery Systems (CEDS) Research, Development and Demonstration DOE-NETL 04/16/2018 06/18/2018
NSF 17-590 Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Education and Human Resources NSF 08/22/2017 10/01/2018
NEW! EPA-GM-COOPERATIVE-AGREEMENTS-2018-1 Gulf of Mexico Program Cooperative Agreements 2018 EPA 05/31/2018 07/31/2018

Other Funding of Interest

 

NEW! USDA Announces Pilot Program to Increase Homeownership Opportunities on Native Lands

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a pilot program to increase homeownership opportunities on Tribal lands.

“To thrive, rural America needs a creative and forward-thinking partner in USDA,” Hazlett said. “Under Secretary Perdue’s leadership, USDA is harnessing innovation so we can be a better, more effective partner to Tribal communities in building their futures.”

USDA is partnering with two Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs) that have extensive experience working in Native American communities. The Department will loan $800,000 each to Mazaska Owecaso Otipit Financial and to Four Bands Community Fund. The organizations will relend the money to eligible homebuyers for mortgages on South Dakota and some North Dakota Tribal trust lands. Mazaska Owecaso Otipit Financial and Four Bands Community Fund also will service the mortgage loans after they are made. USDA is providing the funding through the Single Family Housing Direct Loan program.

Each NCDFI will contribute $200,000 for mortgages in the pilot program.

USDA has helped nearly 4 million rural residents purchase homes since passage of the Housing Act of 1949. However, homeownership rates on Tribal lands historically have been significantly lower than those for other communities.

Both NCDFIs have deep ties to the local communities and will be able to reach potential homebuyers more effectively than USDA and other lenders. Mazaska Owecaso Otipit Financial is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and creates homeownership opportunities for the members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Four Bands Community Fund, headquartered in Eagle Butte, S.D., provides financial products to businesses as well as home mortgages in South Dakota and North Dakota. Part of its service area includes the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.

The pilot program will begin this summer. USDA Rural Development’s state office in Huron, S.D., will oversee the initiative.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

Public Meetings, Events and Training

NEW! June 21 Webinar: SNAP E&T and WIOA — Partnering to Raise Skills and Employment; Principals from Minnesota and Oregon to Present

SNAP Employment and Training Programs (SNAP E&T) and State and local workforce agencies share a common goal of enabling low-income individuals to gain skills necessary to qualify for jobs leading to self-sufficiency. Guidance issued by Food and Nutrition Service in March 2016 encouraged SNAP and workforce agencies to collaborate on shared strategies that connect SNAP recipients — particularly able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) — to provide employment and training services through American Job Centers (also known as one-stop centers).

This webinar will highlight how States can use SNAP E&T funds strategically, along with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) resources, to expand the types of services E&T participants receive to more comprehensively meet their needs and improve outcomes. Representatives from Work systems in Portland, Oregon and the State of Minnesota will share how their SNAP E&T program and workforce systems are working together, including through third-party partnership models.

This webinar will be on June 21, 2018 and held from 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m. PDT/1:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m. EDT.

Speakers:

 

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6597547345332001282

NEW! June 27 Webinar: Hurricane Preparedness with OnTheMap for Emergency Management

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Local Employment Dynamics (LED) Partnership in collaboration with the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) welcomes Earlene Dowell and Jody Hoon-Starr. Earlene and Jody will highlight useful functions of the OnTheMap for Emergency Management data tool.

OnTheMap for Emergency Management is a public data tool, developed by the U.S. Census Bureau, which provides an intuitive web-based interface for viewing the potential effects of disasters on the U.S. workforce and population. Users can easily retrieve reports containing detailed workforce, population, and housing characteristics for hurricanes, floods, wildfires, winter storms, and federal disaster declaration areas.

About our presenters:

Earlene Dowell is the Program Analyst for the Center for Economic Studies’ Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program at the U.S. Census Bureau. Earlene travels around the nation promoting and training people on LEHD products. She received her Master’s degree in communications and a Bachelor’s degree in public relations from Hawaii Pacific University.

Jody Hoon-Starr, who is a Geographer with the LEHD Program, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Colorado and his Master’s degree in GIS from the University of Maryland.

June 27 / 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Registration: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7068007480623033858

Census Bureau Requests Nominations of Individuals and Organizations to the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations

The Census Bureau is requesting nominations of individuals and organizations to the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations (Committee). The Census Bureau will consider nominations received in response to this notice, as well as from other sources. The “Supplementary Information” section of the notice provides Committee and membership criteria.

 

The notice will appear in the June 4 FEDERAL REGISTER.  The pre-publication version is available at https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2018-11884.pdf

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Board to Meet on June 13

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board will hold an open meeting on June 13, 20018 (9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

The meeting will be held at the University of Texas, Arlington Campus in the Rio Grande Ballroom B, at 701 S. Nedderman Drive, Arlington, Texas 76019.

The meeting agenda will include an update on Hollings MEP programmatic operations, as well as provide guidance and advice on current activities related to the 2017-2022 MEP National Network Strategic Plan.

The MEP Advisory Board will provide input to NIST on supply chain development with an emphasis on defense suppliers, in order to strengthen the defense industrial base; make recommendations on the development of research and performance metrics to support and enrich MEP Center evaluation, and receive updates on the “Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA Institutes Pilot Projects’” funding awards.

The final agenda will be posted on the MEP Advisory Board website at http://www.nist.gov/mep/about/advisory-board.cfm.

Full background / meeting attendance / other logistics / contact at

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-05-22/pdf/2018-10845.pdf

 

Also note:

A recent study by the W.E. Upjohn Institute found the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program generates a substantial economic and financial return of nearly 14.5:1 for the $128 million annually invested by the federal government.  The study also finds that total employment in the U.S. was over 219,000 higher because of MEP center projects than without the program.  The Upjohn study also examined additional areas of economic impact not previously reported by the MEP Program: (1) personal income is $13.76 billion higher and (2) GDP is $22.01 billion larger, translating into an increase of $1.86 billion in personal income tax revenue to the federal government than without the program. The study is available at http://research.upjohn.org/reports/230/ (link is external)

2018 UEDA Annual Summit Call for Presentations (Conference Theme: Disruptive Economic Adjustment – Higher Education Ecosystems as Engines of Change)

UEDA has passed along this May 24 advisory …

UEDA is seeking topics and presenters for concurrent sessions at the 2018 University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Annual Summit. The Summit theme is “Disruptive Economic Development: Higher Education Ecosystems as Engines of Change” and will take place in Milwaukee, WI October 21-24, 2018.

The University Economic Development Association’s (UEDA) Awards of Excellence Program is the premiere showcase recognizing best practices in Higher Education-based Economic Development across North America. We are seeking leading-edge projects and initiatives promoting economic development and engagement in the categories of Talent, Place, and Innovation, as well as those that occur at the intersection of these three missions. Submit your nomination by June 15, 2018. To learn more please visit http://Awards.Universityeda.org

 

Reports, Tools and Data

NEW! NADO Research Foundation Holds Virtual Peer Exchange on Economic Analysis in Transportation Planning

 

A June 1 from the National Association of Development Organizations

On May 23, the NADO Research Foundation held a virtual peer exchange on collaborative transportation and economic development planning.  Bringing together transportation and economic development practitioners from RDOs and state agencies, the peer exchange provided hands-on training on using economic analysis to sharpen transportation decision making and ensure that infrastructure investments are supportive of regional economic prosperity.  Using innovative virtual learning techniques, the event engaged and connected participants through an exciting new format that broke from traditional webinar styles.

The peer exchange featured presentations on data tools that can be used to uncover economic trends and sharpen transportation planning and project selection; a case study highlighting how economic development data helped forge new relationships with businesses and expand transportation options in north central Idaho; a spotlight on the analysis completed as part of the CEDS in Southeast Alaska; and lively discussions on participants’ understanding of their regional and state economies and how they can infuse economic development information into their work.

The agenda and slides from the peer exchange are available here.  The “K-W-L” (know, want to know, learned) exercise participants completed in preparation for the event is available here, and a Federal Highway Administration handout on online data sources to support economic development analysis is here.

This training was the first installment of ‘On the Road to Prosperity: Fostering Collaborative Transportation and Economic Development Planning,’ a series of five virtual peer exchanges exploring how transportation and economic development planning practitioners can work together to maximize the economic impact of infrastructure investments, grow businesses and jobs, and strengthen the livability and vitality of communities and regions.  These peer exchanges are conducted with support from FHWA. Stay tuned for updates on the second virtual peer exchange, which will take place this summer and focus on engaging business and economic development partners in the transportation planning process.  Contact NADO consultant Megan McConville

St. Louis Fed Creates Interactive Tool to Visualize Designated Opportunity Zones

 CFED Provides Status Report, Outlines Next Steps for Communities with Opportunity Zones

The current list of designated Opportunity Zones can be found on the Department of the Treasury’s website.  A new interactive tool from the St. Louis Fed will be updated continually as Treasury updates the list of designated Opportunity Zones.

The underlying data and methodology are from the Urban Institute.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has created this interactive tool as a way to visualize the data. The map allows one to see where there is investment and gentrification risk at the county level. The list below allows for zooming in on individual census tracts.

For the tool, see:

https://www.stlouisfed.org/community-development/data-tools/opportunity-zones-explorer

For the Urban Institute methodology, see:

https://www.stlouisfed.org/community-development/data-tools/opportunity-zones-explorer/about-the-data

 

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

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

Funding Assistance for Recovery Efforts:

NEW! FTA Announces Funding under the Transportation Emergency Relief Program

.Of potential interest to the Boards in the affected geographies given the potential workforce requirements for response, recovery, and rebuilding projects.

The Federal Transit Administration has published a notice in the May 31 FEDERAL REGISTER announcing the allocation of $277.5 million under the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (Emergency Relief Program) to States, Territories, and public transportation agencies affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Within the $277.5 million announced in this notice, FTA is allocating $233.3 million for response, recovery, and rebuilding projects and $44.2 million for project elements or stand-alone projects that increase the resilience of the affected transit systems to future disasters. Such resilience investments shall be subject to specific conditions cited in this notice.

See https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-05-31/pdf/2018-11538.pdf for complete background and allocations by geography.

Excerpts:

Beginning in August 2017, President Trump issued major disaster declarations associated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria for the following States and Territories: Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Numerous counties and parishes in these States and Territories have been designated as eligible for assistance under the major disaster declarations.

FTA will host a webinar for FTA recipients interested in applying for FTA Emergency Relief funds on a date to be determined. The webinar will be announced on FTA’s website and through an email announcement to those who have signed up at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOTFTA/subscriber/new  to receive email updates from FTA regarding the Emergency Relief Program.

Public transportation agencies, States, Territories, local governmental authorities, Indian tribes, and other FTA grant recipients that provide or fund public transportation service in the affected areas are eligible for Emergency Relief funding under the program.

Of the $330 million appropriated, a total of $2,475,000 is set aside for administrative expenses and ongoing program management oversight activities as authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act.

From the remaining $327,525,000 currently available for allocation, FTA is allocating $277,525,000 as follows:

FTA is reserving $50 million for latent damages, damages not assessed in smaller areas, cost increases, and additional Emergency Relief needs that exceed the amounts made available in this notice. FTA may update allocations without further notice based on revised validated damage assessments.

 

LSC Announces Funding Opportunity for Grantees to Assist Clients Impacted by Storms and Wildfires

The Legal Services Corporation today announced the application and award process for up to $14,250,000 of grants to support delivery of legal services related to the consequences of all cyclone and hurricane stages of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and of the calendar year 2017 California wildfires. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. E.S.T. on Monday, June 4, 2018.  Application must be submitted electronically at lscgrants.lsc.gov. These grants will fund necessary expenses for grantees to provide (1) mobile resources, (2) technology, and (3) disaster coordinators for pro bono volunteers, all of which must be necessary to provide storm-related services to LSC-eligible clients in the areas significantly affected by the 2017 Hurricanes and California Wildfires.  Application materials and descriptions of eligible activities can be found at www.lsc.gov/disastergrants.  LSC will post all additional information regarding this grant process at that website. LSC strongly encourages existing LSC grantees to apply for funding through these grants for any activities that meet the grant criteria. For disaster-related needs that are beyond the scope of these grants, LSC grantees may also apply for grants from LSC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Grant Program, which is not limited to specific disasters or specific types of activities. www.lsc.gov/disastergrants. LSC has only $2,000,000 available for those Disaster Relief grants. Entities applying to both the 2017 Hurricanes and California Wildfires and LSC’s  Disaster Relief Emergency Grant Programs should submit those applications at the same time and explain how the activities described in each application relate to each other.  See: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-05-09/pdf/2018-09881.pdf

 

 

EDA Issues NOFO for $587M in Supplemental Funding for Areas Impacted by 2017 Hurricanes, Wildfires and Other Disasters

As noted above, EDA has issued a NOFO (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. See listing above and these links below for details:

 

HUD Awards Nearly $28 Billion to Help Nine States, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands from Major Disasters

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded nearly $28 billion to support long-term disaster recovery in hard-hit areas in nine states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These funds are provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program and will address seriously damaged housing, businesses and infrastructure from major disasters that occurred since 2015.

The grants announced by HUD represent the largest single amount of disaster recovery assistance in HUD’s history and include more than $12 billion for major disasters that occurred in 2017 and nearly $16 billion to support ‘mitigation’ activities in areas that experienced major Presidentially declared disasters since 2015.  Mitigation can broadly be described as actions taken to protect communities from the predictable damage from future events.

The listing of all States and territories with subtotals and totals can be found at https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_18_028

 

EPA Announces Puerto Rico Youth and the Environment Program – Apply by May 25

EPA-R2-CWD-FO-001: Puerto Rico Youth and the Environment Program. Posted 04/12/2018.

EPA Region 2 is soliciting grant applications from eligible applicants for the development of projects in Puerto Rico for eligible post-Hurricane Maria restoration activities in the (1) Vieques Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay; and (2) San Juan Bay Estuary, that involve training, studies and/or demonstrations relating to the reduction of the sedimentation load; elimination of water pollution; and/or the development of an environmental education program and materials through the Youth and the Environment program. Project activities may include, but are not limited to the training of no fewer than 2 ten (10) youths in their respective communities of Vieques and San Juan Bay. The youths will work 10 hours each week for 16 weeks, and will be employed from June to October. The young participants who are recruited will be trained primarily on environmental and community assessment, skills development and mentorship. Eligible activities must support the post-Hurricane Maria environmental restoration and relief effort.  Link to Additional Information https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=303173

 

USDA FY18 Conservation Innovation Grants Avail for PR and USVI

USDA-NRCS-PR-CIG-001  USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has posted a Funding Opportunity for its FY18 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) – Caribbean Area. Applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the USDA Caribbean Area: Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. CIG grants are designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. A total of up to $250,000.00 is available for CIG in FY 2018. The maximum for a single award is $75,000.00.  FY18 Proposals must explicitly state which priority(ies) and sub-prority(ies) are being addressed. Caribbean Area CIG Priorities for FY 2018 are:

  1. Steep land Agricultural Technology;
  2. Renewable energy on Agricultural Enterprises and
  3. Risk Prevention and Management of Natural Resources affected by Natural Disasters.

See full announcement for subpriorities and additional instructions: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=302405

APPLICATIONS DUE by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on May 30, 2018. Submit electronically through grants.gov. In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to jaime.valentin@pr.usda.gov.

 

Related Resources – NonFederal:

Updates on FEMA Response in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

 

Where to Find Federal Disaster Declarations

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

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