Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of March 4, 2019

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.

New items featured this week include the following:

Funding & Resource Announcements

Public Meetings, Events and Training

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

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

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Technical Assistance for Rural Economic Development Plans. Apply by Apr 5

The Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) initiative application is now available for rural communities and regions to apply for free technical assistance to develop, and implement, economic development plans. Download the application or request it here at [email protected]

This assistance is designed to assist communities to develop evidence-based assessments; quantifiable goals; plans to improve the local and regional economy; and metrics to track implementation and progress. Application Deadline: April 5, 2019. Letters of Interest Due (Optional): March 8, 2019.

HUD Guidance on Submitting FY19 Consolidated Plans and Annual Action Plans

HUD has released Notice CPD-19-01: Guidance on Submitting Consolidated Plans and Annual Action Plans for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019This year’s Notice contains one new section, providing interim guidance to grantees wishing to incorporate assistance for designated Opportunity Zones into their Consolidated Plan process.

View Guidance on Submitting Consolidated Plans and Annual Action Plans for FY 2019.

 

INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

EDA 2019 Regional Innovation Strategies Program. Apply by April 4.

EDA is now accepting applications for the 2019 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program funding. The RIS Program, operated by EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), again offers funding through two competitions: FY19 i6 Challenge and FY19 Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grant Competition.

All applications must be submitted no later than 11:59pm ET on Thursday, April 4, 2019. For information on eligibility and how to apply, interested organizations are encouraged to visit EDA’s Regional Innovation Strategies webpage for more info.

 

NEW: Energy Invites SBIR Phase II Grant Applications.

The DOE invites eligible Phase I and Phase II grantees to apply for Phase II grants (both initial and second and third) under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Topic descriptions for this FOA can be found on the DOE SBIR/STTR web site at http://science.energy.gov/sbir/funding-opportunities/.

Link to Additional Information: Office of Science, Small Business Funding Opportunities Website

 

PLACEMAKING

NEW: NEA Challenge America Grants for Arts in Underserved Communities
Grants to support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Matching grants are for $10,000. Application deadline: April 11, 2019

Follow this link for APPLICATION GUIDELINES , and register for a webinar based workshop to review the Challenge America guidelines with potential applicants. An overview presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Archive will be available within a few days.

Challenge America Guidelines Workshop February 2019

February 27, 2019:  3:00 – 4:00pm ET    REGISTER »

 

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Forest Based Economies in Northeastern States. LOI due March 15.

NBRC has announced a new opportunity for regional approaches to economic development under the Regional Forest Economy Partnership. The NOFO allows for creative opportunities to improve communities in NBRC’s service area, including parts of ME, NH, NY and VT. See the Notice of Funding Opportunity or http://www.nbrc.gov for details.

 

2019 POWER Initiative for Appalachian Coal Communities. Apply by April 10.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is accepting applications for the FY 2019 POWER (Partnership for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. ARC’s POWER Initiative will continue focusing on regional investments that maximize economic revitalization in the Appalachian region’s coal-impacted communities. The 2019 Request for Proposals (RFP) is available here. ARC has also scheduled upcoming regional RFP Workshops at this remaining location:

  • March 6 – Morgantown, West Virginia, Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place

 

Capacity Building Grants for Land Grant Universities. Apply by Apr 18

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking FY19 applications for its 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program Applications submitted to CBG must address at least one of the following NIFA strategic goals: sustainable bioenergy; food security; childhood obesity prevention; or food safety. Click here to Apply for Grant

Closing Date: Thursday, April 18, 2019

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-CBGP-006696

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

Rural Broadband: FY19 Community Connect Grants Available. Apply by Apr 15.

RUS is now accepting applications for FY 2019 for the Community Connect Grants program. This program helps fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not yet economically viable for private sector providers to deliver service. The application window closes April 15, 2019. Applications for this program are serviced by RUS national office staff, available at [email protected].  See the Community Connect fact sheet, and the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for details.

USDA Extends Deadlines for ReConnect Rural Broadband Program to May 31.

USDA has extended application deadlines for the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program). More information about the ReConnect program may be found at http://reconnect.usda.gov.

 

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

 

NEW DOL Issues Initial Allocation of FY19 TAA Training and Other Activities Funds

DOL’s Employment Training Administration has announced the Initial Allocation of FY 2019 Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Training and Other Activities (TaOA) Funds and Process for Requesting TAA Reserve Funds. Information is available in the Training and Employment Guidance Letter 12-18.  This TEGL’S purpose:

To assist State Workforce Agencies or agencies designated by Governors as “Cooperating State Agencies” (also jointly referred to as “states”) by identifying the FY 2019 Initial Allocation of TaOA funding amounts to states; describing the formula methodology used by the Department of Labor (Department) to calculate these amounts; and providing the process for states to request TAA Program reserve funds for TaOA. TaOA includes training, job search allowances, relocation allowances, employment and case management services, and related state administration.

Attachment: FY 2019 TAA Training and Other Activities (TaOA) Initial Allocation Amounts, By State


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-SBIR-006692

FY19 Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II USDA-NIFA 12/21/2018 03/14/2019
BOR-DO-19-F004 WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2019 DOI-BOR 01/31/2019 03/19/2019
BOR-DO-19-F003 WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019 DOI-BOR 01/24/2019 03/27/2019
ETA-TEGL-NO-13-18 FY 19 Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Training and Other Activities (TaOA) Grant Management Guidance DOL-ETA 02/28/2019 03/28/2019
EDA-HDQ-OIE-2019-2005942 FY 2019 Regional Innovation Strategies Program DOC 02/01/2019 04/04/2019
HHS-2018-ACF-ANA-NA-1339 Social and Economic Development Strategies –SEDS HHS-ACF-ANA 02/06/2018 04/15/2019
RDRUS-CC-2019 Community Connect Grant Program USDA-RUS 02/12/2019 04/15/2019
 

USDA-NIFA-CBGP-006696

1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program USDA-NIFA 02/14/2019 04/18/2019
 

BOR-DO-19-F007

WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects DOI-BOR 03/04/2019 04/22/2019
DE-FOA-0001976 FY 2019 SBIR/STTR Phase II Release 2 PAMS-SC 03/04/2019 04/23/2019
BOR-DO-19-F005 WaterSMART Grants: Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019 DOI-BOR 01/24/2019 04/24/2019
EDAP2018 FY18 Economic Development Assistance Programs: Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance DOC-EDA 07/02/2018 Open
693JJ319NF-NSFLTP Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) DOT-FHWA 10/04/2018 Open

 


Public Meetings, Events and Training

NEW: Webinar on Integrating Water Quality and Hazard Mitigation Plans

Lessons Learned on Integrating Water Quality and Nature-based Approaches into Hazard Mitigation Plans

EPA is promoting integration of FEMA hazard mitigation plans and water quality plans to support projects that reduce natural hazards while emphasizing water quality benefits. This webcast will look at two completed pilot projects that have successfully integrated watershed planning, green infrastructure practices, and source water protection into FEMA hazard mitigation plans. Learn about community benefits, including the availability of FEMA and other federal funding for water quality projects that also mitigate hazards.

Webinar:  March 14, 1 PM (ET)

Register

Speakers:

  • Myra Schwartz, EPA Region 1
  • Carrie Robinette, FEMA
  • Josh Bruce, Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience

 

EPA Seeking Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Members m- Nominations due Mar 15.

EPA is currently soliciting nominations for the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). CAAAC provides advice, information and recommendations on policy and technical issues associated with implementation of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as requested by EPA. All the information, including the nomination form, the list of required supporting information, the deadline, and where to send applications, is on the CAAAC website at https://www.epa.gov/caaac/caaac-membership-information. Nominations are due by March 15th.

April 16-17: CDFA Federal Policy Conference; EDA, HUD, USDA, DOT, Treasury, EPA and SBA to Present Updates on Federal Financing

On April 16-17 in Washington DC, CDFA will host its 2019 CDFA Federal Policy Conference, featuring development finance experts and practitioners from key federal agencies, congressional offices, and policy organizations. The CDFA Federal Policy Conference will highlight rural and urban financing programs, the Opportunity Zones incentive, programs for supporting small business development, as well as financing programs for infrastructure, energy, brownfields remediation, and water systems financing. The event will be held at the Washington Marriott Georgetown, and space is limited to the first 250 attendees – register early to secure your seat!

Select USA Schedule of Spin Off Events to Encourage Foreign Investors to Visit Locations Across US

SelectUSA is partnering with economic development organizations (EDOs) to plan and promote spinoff events, taking place before and after the June 2019 SelectUSA Investment Summit, in dozens of U.S. locations. View current locations: https://connect.eventtia.com/en/dmz/selectusaspinoffs/website More will be added as they become available.

NIH Online Course for Biomedical Innovators:  Applying for SBIR/STTR Funding

National Institutes of Health recently released a five-module online course for biomedical innovators considering funding through the NIH SBIR/STTR programs. For information on the latest SBIR/STTR Opportunities at NIH, visit https://sbir.nih.gov/ .


Reports, Tools and Data

Census Posts Latest American Community Survey Data (2013-2017)

The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2013-2017 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates, which features more than 40 social, economic, housing and demographic topics. The 2013-2017 ACS data are available on www.data.census.gov . County-level geography profiles of the 3,142 counties are available in a visual format with maps, charts and graphs. For official ACS statistics, please access American FactFinder at factfinder.census.gov.

 


Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

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

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.

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

 

Funding and other Assistance Available for Recovery:

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

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:

 

NEW: HUD Approves Latest Puerto Rico  Action Plan for CDBG DR Funds

HUD announced its approval of Puerto Rico’s latest disaster recovery action plan, making the island eligible for $8.2 billion in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG – DR) funds that were appropriated by Congress in February 2018. According to the announcement, HUD will impose strict conditions and financial controls on the use of these funds, including enhanced monitoring of expenditures. Learn more about CDBG-DR and the State’s role in long-term disaster recovery (en español).

 

NEW: HUD Approves Additional $652M to Support Texas Recovery from Hurricane Harvey

Shortly after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, HUD quickly provided the State of Texas $57.8 million to begin long-term recovery in hard-hit areas. In June 2018, HUD followed this initial investment with another $5 billion in CDBG-DR funding to the Lone Star State. Informed by local citizens, Texas developed recovery plans for these allocations which HUD approved last year (read more).

This action approves the State’s third allocation of $652,175,000.  Combined, HUD is investing more than $5.7 billion to address the remaining needs of Texans following Hurricane Harvey.    Read Texas’ recovery plan.

 

NEW: GAO Report on FEMA Hurricane Recovery Spending in US Virgin Islands

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obligated more than $1.4 billion in grant funding for Public Assistance projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) as of October 1, 2018, in response to the 2017 hurricanes.  GAO published the following report on FEMA assistance provided to date to USVI following the 2017 Hurricanes, Irma and Maria. View the reports (GAO-19-253, February 25, 2019) and summary here: U.S. Virgin Islands Recovery: Status of FEMA Public Assistance Funding and Implementation

 

Economic Recovery Support & the National Disaster Response Framework