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.

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.

Funding & Resource Announcements 2

Federal Funding Opportunities Closing Soon: 6

Public Meetings, Events and Training 7

Reports, Tools and Data 9

SBA Office of Advocacy Publishes 2019 State Small Business Profiles 9

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info 9

Funding & Resource Announcements

ACCESS TO CAPITAL

New Guidelines and Resources for Opportunity Zones:
The Trump Administration announced several additional resources to help optimize the utilization of Opportunity Zones and other federal resources that can support economically distressed areas. New resources introduced recently include the following three items:

IRS Proposed Guidance To Further Clarify OZ Tax Benefits. On April 17, the Internal Revenue Service issued a second set of guidance (PDF) regarding investment in qualified opportunity zones. IRS is inviting comments on these proposed regulations and will hold a public hearing on July 9, 2019 to accept additional input.
White House and HUD Publish Opportunity Zone Implementation Plan. The Plan addresses goals specified in Executive Order 13583. Read the Implementation Plan here.
Treasury Department Seeks Comment on Administration of Opportunity Zones. Information is invited on seven open ended questions regarding OZ implementation, administration, data collection, and the appropriate federal stewardship role. Full text of the Treasury Department request can be found here. Comments due by May 30.
HUD Invites Public Input on Programs to Benefit Opportunity Zones. HUD is seeking comments on HUD’s latest Request for Information, FR-6155-N-01 Review of HUD Policy in Opportunity Zones. Comments are due by June 17.
Council Report Lists Federal Programs That Support Opportunity Zones. Click here to see a list of over 50 programs that federal agencies have already taken action to better target resources to Opportunity Zones.

Water & Waste Disposal Revolving Loan Funds. Apply by May 27

This USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) program helps qualified non-profits create a revolving loan fund (RLF) that can provide financing for the extension and improvement of water and waste disposal systems in rural areas. Applications are currently being accepted until May 27, 2019. To find out more and begin an application, contact a USDA Rural Development program specialist in the state or territory where the revolving loan fund would be available local RD office.

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

MBDA Funding Opportunity for American Indian and Native Communities. Apply by May 26.

The Department of Commerce has announced the availability of $3,300,000 in funding to support for special projects and programs aligned with the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) strategic plans and mission goals for businesses within the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.

The NOFA provides information about the Agency’s strategic priorities for the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian project (AIANNH) businesses to encourage new activities, education, outreach, innovative projects that are not addressed through other MBDA programs. The Department expects the award of 8 grants. The closing date for applications is May 26.

DOE Prize Challenge for Water Power Technology Innovators. Concept Paper due May 24

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced a new prize, with prizes worth $950,000, called the “Furthering Advancements to Shorten the Time (FAST) to Commissioning for Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) Prize”. The FAST Prize aims to help accelerate commissioning times while also reducing the associated cost and risk for PSH projects. It is seeking fresh solutions and technologies from new innovators who are working to address the non-regulatory challenges PSH developers face when deploying new projects. The goal is to reduce PSH commissioning time from the current 10 years to less than five.

Up to 10 Finalists will receive vouchers for up to 50 hours of support (worth in total nearly $400,000) from one of four DOE national laboratories to prepare for a pitch contest at the Water Power Technologies Office Peer Review this fall. At that pitch contest, finalists will present their ideas to a large set of stakeholders, and up to 3 winners will win up to $550,000 of combined cash prizes and voucher support. MAY 24, 2019 Concept phase submission deadline. More info at: https://www.herox.com/fast

INFRASTRUCTURE

USDA Rural Broadband Opportunities – May 31 due date for grants, June/July deadlines for loans.

USDA offers several resources to support expansion of rural broadband under is Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program: ReConnect Grants and Loan program. The program will furnish loans and grants for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Up to $200 million in grants, $200 million in loan and grant combinations, and $200 million in low-interest loans will be available; applicants must select one of these options – deadlines vary based on type of financial assistance requested.

May 31, 2019, for grants;
June 21, 2019, for loan/grant combinations; and
July 12, 2019, for low-interest loans.

Attend an application workshop or request technical assistance from USDA by filling out the contact form at https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/contact-us. Upcoming technical assistance workshop:

Rural Community Facilities TA and Training Grants. Apply by Jun 10

USDA RD has announced that grants are available for intermediary organizations to provide technical assistance and training for rural organizations and agencies to identify and plan for community facility needs that exist in their area, and once those needs have been identified, locating public and private resources to finance those identified needs. Program page with more information available here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-technical-assistance-and-training-grant. Application Deadline: June 10, 2019.

USDA/RUS Announces Funding Opportunity to Support Rural Energy Services. Due June 24.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced the availability of up to $10 million in competitive grants to assist communities with extremely high energy costs, projecting the award of 10 grants. Applications are due by June 24.

Grant funds may be used to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, or otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving eligible communities. All energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities and equipment, used to provide electricity, natural gas, home heating fuels, and other energy service to eligible communities are eligible. Projects providing or improving energy services to eligible communities through on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects, energy efficiency, and energy conservation projects are eligible. A grant project is eligible if it improves, or maintains energy services, or reduces the costs of providing energy services to eligible communities.

USDA Technical Assistance Grants for Rural Transportation Systems. Due June 25.

The Department of Agriculture’s Rural-Business Cooperative Service is inviting applications for grants to provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) to provide Technical Assistance for RT systems and for RT systems to Federally Recognized Native American Tribes’ (FRNAT) (collectively “Programs”) and the terms provided in such funding. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded from funds appropriated for the RBDG program. The full announcement can be found in the March 27 FEDERAL REGISTER. Note references to funding projects that benefit Opportunity Zones and communities responding to impacts from Opioid Misuse.

EPA Credit Assistance Available for Water Infrastructure. Submit LOI by Jul 5.

EPA has published a Notice of Funding Availability on April 5, soliciting letters of interest (LOIs) from prospective borrowers seeking credit assistance for projects eligible under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program. WIFIA program is accepting letters of interest until July 5, 2019. See links below to access further details:

DOT Opens FY20 Applications for BUILD Grants.

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants 2019 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now available on Grants.gov and at www.transportation.gov/buildgrants/build-nofo. See below for links to pages with helpful information about the new round of BUILD:

MANUFACTURING AND INNOVATION

Department of Energy Announces $89M for Innovative Manufacturing Technologies. Concept Papers due June 20.

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office will lead this initiative. DOE anticipates making up to 55 awards for up to three years. A cost-share of at least 20% will be required for research and development projects.

The FOA requests proposals in three areas that will improve the global competitiveness of the U.S. by catalyzing innovation around manufacturing of key energy technologies and by reducing industrial process energy intensity.

Topic 1 – Innovations for the Manufacture of Advanced Materials:
Topic 2 – Lower Thermal Budget Processes for Industrial Efficiency & Productivity:
Topic 3 – Connected, Flexible and Efficient Manufacturing Facilities and Energy Systems:

View the funding application and submission requirements HERE. Concept papers are due on June 20, 2019.

Department of Energy Announces $79M Available for Bioenergy R&D

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced over $79 million in funding available for bioenergy research and development including biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. This funding supports DOE’s goal of providing consumers and businesses with a range of domestic energy options that are affordable, reliable, and secure.

The FOA topics will advance DOE’s Bioenergy Technology Office’s (BETO) objectives to reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower, and enable high-value products from biomass or waste resources. This FOA also supports the 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. In particular, this funding will support research and development focused on anaerobic digestion, a technology that can help achieve the Grand Challenge’s goal to double resource recovery from municipal wastewater.

For more information, read the full FOA on the EERE Exchange website.

TRADE AND EXPORTS

SBA Funding Available through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Apply by May 31.

The Small Business Administration has announced the opening of the submission period for a funding opportunity through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). SBA is inviting proposals for funding from eligible state entities interested in, and capable of providing assistance, guidance and tools to qualified small businesses looking to engage in export-related activities. The STEP grant program provides small businesses with financial resources to participate in foreign trade missions, designing new marketing materials, or setting up a trade show exhibition.

Funding Opportunity Announcement No. OIT-STEP-2019-1 is for fiscal year 2019 and the submission period is from May 1 – 31. Proposals responding to this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be posted to Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. (EDT), May 31, 2019.

WORKFORCE

EPA FY20 Environmental Workforce Training Program Grants. Apply by Jun 10

US EPA’s Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program (EWDJT) supports recruitment, training and placement of unemployed and underemployed people, including low-income residents in solid and hazardous waste-impacted communities, with the skills needed to obtain full-time, sustainable employment in solid and hazardous waste cleanup, wastewater treatment, chemical safety, and the environmental field generally.

Eligible activities include programs that develop and implement training programs, including, but not limited to: brownfields hazardous waste training, solid waste management and recycling, emergency management and oil spill cleanup, Superfund cleanup-related training, including innovative and alternative treatment technologies, wastewater treatment and storm water management, integrated pest management, alternative energy technologies, and chemical safety and enhanced environmental health and safety training. Applications due by June 10.

For details, visit Grants.gov Opportunity Number: EPA-OLEM-OBLR-19-01 or click the EWDJT tab on EPA’s Brownfields program website at: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding

HHS Funding Opportunity under the Community Development Economic Development Program. Apply by June 3

In the current funding cycle, HHS’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will award approximately $13.1 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations (CDC) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects to enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low income. The CED program provides funding for projects aimed at business development opportunities and creating employment for individuals with low incomes located in geographic areas with a demonstrated need for the proposed project.

OCS is encouraging projects that align with the Promise Zones Initiative or Choice Neighborhoods Program and Opportunity Zones. Applications are due by June 3.

DOL Announces Availability of PY 2018 Funding for State Apprenticeship Expansion

The Employment and Training Administration has issued Training and Employment Guidance Letter 17-18, to announce the availability of $73 million in Program Year (PY 18) funds to States to increase the number of apprentices in Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). The TEGL also provides the state and territory allotment levels and application procedures, and guidance on the use of funds.

The TEGL also addresses the phasing out of State Apprenticeship Expansion grants (FOA-ETA-16-13) and plans to further support statewide apprenticeship expansion by granting PY 18 apprenticeship funds appropriated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-141) to States, as defined at 29 CFR Section 29.2.

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	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
UST-SIPPRA-2019-001	Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act Demonstration Projects	USDOT	02/15/2019	05/22/2019
RDRUS-19-RFP	Revolving Fund Program	USDA-RUS	03/27/2019	05/27/2019
RDBCP-RCDG-2019	Rural Cooperative Development Grant	USDA-RBCS	04/09/2019	06/03/2019
USDA-RD-HCFP-RCDI-2019	Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)	USDA-RHS	03/27/2019	06/05/2019
USDA-RD-CFTAT-2019	Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant	USDA-RHS	04/01/2019	06/10/2019
EPA-OLEM-OBLR-19-01	FY20 ENVIRONMENTAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND JOB TRAINNG (EWDJT) GRANTS	EPA	04/15/2019	06/10/2019

Public Meetings, Events and Training

Kicking off May 20 –SBA’s SBIR Road Tour in 16 Locations

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will launch a 16-stop road tour connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early stage funding – the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

The SBIR Road Tour plays an important role in increasing engagement with entrepreneurial ecosystems across the country and building out greater networks to support the creation of small businesses focusing on high-impact research.

Each SBIR Road Tour stop will be hosted by a local organization involved in supporting entrepreneurs in next generation R&D. Program managers from the participating federal agencies will conduct one-on-one meetings with attendees, take part in targeted panels, discuss technology areas, and share insights into how the agencies make funding decisions.

The Central Plains Tour will run from May 20-24, with stops in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Kansas City, Kansas; Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Fargo, North Dakota.
The Southwest Tour will run from August 12-16, with stops in Tucson, Arizona; El Paso, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Boulder, Colorado.
The Eastern Tour will run from September 16-20, with stops in Burlington, Vermont; Albany, New York; New Brunswick, New Jersey; State College, Pennsylvania; and College Park, Maryland.
Caribbean: the SBIR Road Tour will stop in Miami, Florida on November 13 and in Puerto Rico on November 15.

Small technology firms, innovators, scientists or researchers seeking more information on the SBIR Road Tour, including a schedule of stops and participating agencies should visit: www.sbirroadtour.com.

For more information about SBIR/STTR programs, please visit www.sbir.gov.

Treasury Department Requests Comment on Data Collection and Tracking for Qualified Opportunity Zones. Due May 30

The full text of the Treasury Department request can be found here. See Access to Capital Section above for related OZ info. Comments on this RFI are due by May 30.

The Treasury Department is seeking public comment on the following seven and open-ended questions regarding OZ implementation, administration, management, data collection, and the appropriate Federal stewardship role:

What data would be useful for tracking the effectiveness of providing tax incentives for investment in qualified opportunity zones to bring economic development and job creation to distressed communities?
In addition to the anticipated revisions to Form 8996 discussed in the Summary of this Notice and Request for Information, is there other information that could appropriately be collected on a tax form that would be helpful in measuring the effectiveness of the opportunity zone incentives. For example, should qualified opportunity zone businesses be required to report on a tax form the location by census tract of (1) owned and leased tangible property or (2) employees of a qualified opportunity zone business?
What data would be useful for measuring how much would have been invested in qualified opportunity zones in the absence of the opportunity zone incentives?
What data would be useful for ensuring that the investment opportunity remains an attractive option for investors?
What are the costs and benefits of various methods of information collection? Who should perform this data collection?
What considerations should government officials take into account when considering data to analyze the effectiveness of the qualified opportunity zone incentives to promote economic development to distressed areas? Over what time period should this analysis occur?
How do you view the role of the Federal Government, and Tribal, State and local governments in the ongoing maintenance and administration of opportunity zones?
Is there any additional information regarding data collection and tracking for opportunity zones not already addressed that you would like to provide?

Reports, Tools and Data

SBA Office of Advocacy Publishes 2019 State Small Business Profiles

Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy released the annual Small Business Profiles for the States and Territories. The profiles are an annual portrait of small business health of each state and territory, plus the United States and the District of Columbia. The profiles combine the latest federal data into detailed reports on the small business economy in each state, and limited economic data is provided for five U.S. territories.

This year’s profiles report on state economic growth and employment. Visit Advocacy’s website to view the US or your state’s profile.

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

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

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 Recovery:

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $3 M in National Dislocated Worker Funding to Iowa for Storm Recovery

The U.S. Department of Labor approved a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) awarded to Iowa Workforce Development to assess workforce needs in response to recent storms and floods affecting more than half of the state. On March 12, 2019, a major storm system, described as a “bomb cyclone,” brought heavy rains and unusually warm temperatures after a winter of substantial snow and cold temperatures, resulting in historic flooding. Rising water levels breached levees along multiple waterways, leaving entire towns underwater and prompting community evacuations. Iowa received a major disaster declaration from FEMA on March 23, 2019, which allows the state to request DWG funding to assist with cleanup activities in specific counties declared eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

EDA Has Supplemental Funding Available for Areas Impacted by 2017 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:

View the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) EDA-2018-DISASTER on Grants.gov
EDA’s Disaster Supplemental FAQ sheet
For more information, please contact your regional offices

Visit EDA’s Disaster Recovery web page to view the grants that EDA has already made (XLSX) through its 2018 Disaster Supplemental Appropriation.

Economic Recovery Support & the National Disaster Response Framework

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

University of Southern California

Advanced Manufacturing Partnership for Southern California (AMP SoCal)

Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of May 13, 2019

Contents