Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of November 26, 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

REGIONAL PLANNING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

 

HHS Rural Communities Opioid Program Planning (RCORP): HRSA Publishes $24M Solicitation; Apply by Jan 15. Webinar Dec 7.

 

HRSA published a notice on November 15 soliciting applications for the Rural Communities Opioid Program  – Planning (RCORP-Planning). See: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=307936

HRSA has identified $24,000,000 for investment with an anticipated 120 awards. 

Applications are due January 15, 2019.

The purpose of RCORP-Planning is to support treatment for and prevention of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder (OUD), in rural counties at the highest risk for substance use disorder. The program is part of a multi-year opioid-focused effort by HRSA that will include: improving access to and recruitment of new substance use disorder providers; building sustainable treatment resources; increasing the use of telehealth; establishing cross-sector community partnerships; implementing new models of care, including integrated behavioral health; and providing technical assistance.

 

RCORP-Planning will support one (1) year of planning funding. To find the solicitation, select the blue “Package” tab on https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=307936.   Select the “Preview” hypertext link.  Then select “Download Instructions.”

 

APPLICANT WEBINAR: HRSA has scheduled a December 7 (2 to 3 ET) webinar to discuss the solicitation:

Call-In Number: 1-800-369-2114                      Participant Code: 8423689

Weblink: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/rcorp_planning_fy19_ta_webinar/

 

NEW EPA Announces Funding for Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. Proposals Due Feb 15.

 

EPA last week announced the opening of a new competition cycle for ESJG grants.  EPA has identified $1,500,000 for investment in a projected 50 grants. The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program provides funding directly to community-based organizations for projects that help residents of underserved communities understand and address local environmental and public health issues. Full Proposal Due Date: Friday, February 15, 2019 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

 

In general, the EJSG program awards grants that support community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities. Types of projects the EJSG program has funded in the past include, but are not limited to, the following: Environmental Job Training, Youth Development, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Resiliency, Green Infrastructure, Air Quality & Asthma, Water Quality & Sampling, Stormwater Issues, Green Infrastructure, Lead contamination, Pesticides and other Toxic Substances, Healthy Homes, and Illegal Dumping

 

These grants are for one-year projects. Given projected increases in extreme weather events and the vulnerability of underserved populations, the current opportunity will emphasize projects that address emergency preparedness and increase resiliency, as well as projects that include the needs of US military veterans and homeless populations. FY2019 Request for Proposals – Environmental Justice Small Grant Program 

 

RESILIENCE PROJECT

NOAA Announces FY19 Coral Reef Conservation Program, Domestic Coral Reef Conservation Grants. Apply by Jan 29, 2019

The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program (CRCP), 16 USC §§ 6401-6409, provides matching grants of financial assistance through the Domestic Coral Reef Conservation Grant program to institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and local (as defined at 2 CFR § 200.64, which includes counties, municipalities, and cities) and Indian tribal government agencies. These awards are intended to support coral reef conservation projects in shallow water coral reef ecosystems, including reefs at mesophotic depths, in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and coral-dominated banks in the U.S. portions of the Gulf of Mexico. Projects may be proposed in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas, but these locations are not considered geographic priorities under this announcement. Proposals submitted to this competition must address at least one of the following five categories: 1) Improve Fisheries Sustainability; 2) Reduce Land-Based Sources of Pollution; 3) Increasing Resilience to Climate Change; 4) Restore Viable Coral Populations; and 5) Local and Emerging Management Issues. Each category is described in more detail in the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a grant or cooperative agreement and will require a 1:1 match of non-Federal funds.

Funding for this program is subject to the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Congressional appropriations and is expected to range between approximately $800,000 to approximately $1,000,000. NOAA expects that each applicant will request Federal funding at a funding level between $30,000 and $80,000 under this solicitation and that the average award size will be approximately $50,000.

See Grants.gov for application requirements and more information: NOAA-NOS-OCM-2019-2005879

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=310476

 

INNOVATION AND ADVANCED MATERIALS

 

NOAA Seeks SBIR Phase I Applications for new R&D with Commercial Potential. Proposals Due Jan 8.

NOAA’s SBIR Program is seeking highly innovative products with excellent commercial potential. All SBIR proposals must directly benefit the NOAA mission, but should also be responsive to the greater market demands in order to be successful. All SBIR applications must be made in response to a NOAA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The FY19 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to Grants.gov. In particular, applicants should review Section 9 for current Research Topics. To view the full announcement, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=310297.

The deadline for proposals is January 8, 2019.

 

For more information, please view the NOAA SBIR Grants Fact Sheet

 

GULF COAST RESTORATION

NEW Treasury Department Announces Funding Opportunities under the RESTORE Act. Applications Due August 30, 2019.

Under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), Subtitle F of P.L. 112-141, the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (Trust

On November 16, the Department of Treasury published multiple funding opportunities as part of the RESTORE Act.

Construction                             https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=310395

Non-construction                    https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=310380

Applications are due from eligible State and county governments by August 30, 2019.  Eligible geographies:

  1. The Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council or such administrative agent as it may designate.
  2. The Florida counties of Bay, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Taylor, Wakulla, and Walton.
  3. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board of Louisiana through the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana;
  4. The Louisiana parishes of Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Vermilion.
  5. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
  6. The Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, or an appointee of the Office of the Governor.

 

A third FOA was also released on November 16 to establish one or more Centers of Excellence through competitive subawards to nongovernmental entities, including institutions of higher education. Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=310394

 

Funds may be used by those Centers of Excellence to conduct research only on the Gulf Coast region in one or more of the following disciplines:

  1. Coastal and deltaic sustainability, restoration and protection, including solutions and technology that allow citizens to live in a safe and sustainable manner in a coastal delta in the Gulf Coast Region;
  2. Coastal fisheries and wildlife ecosystem research and monitoring in the Gulf Coast Region;
  3. Offshore energy development, including research and technology to improve the sustainable and safe development of energy resources in the Gulf of Mexico;
  4. Sustainable and resilient growth, economic and commercial development in the Gulf Coast Region; and 5. Comprehensive observation, monitoring, and mapping of the Gulf of Mexico.

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
693JJ319NF-NSFLTP Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) DOT-FHWA 10/04/2018
DE-FOA-0001987 Advanced Systems Integration for Solar Technologies DOE-GFO 10/15/2018 12/07/2018
18-598 Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs NSF 09/20/2018 12/18/2018
TATFY19 Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program for Water and Wastewater Systems USDA-RUS 10/01/2018 12/31/2018
SWMFY2019 Solid Waste Management Grant Program USDA-RUS 10/01/2018 12/31/2018
NOAA-OAR-OAR-TPO-2019-2005899 FY 2019 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM DOC 11/08/2018 01/08/2019
HRSA-19-003 Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) HHS-HRSA 10/19/2018 01/08/2019
USDA-NIFA-OP-006669 Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans USDA-NIFA 11/01/2018 01/10/2019
19-506 Partnerships for Innovation NSF 10/19/2018 01/17/2019
USDA-FS-WERC-2019 2019 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity USDA-FS 10/31/2018 01/23/2019
NOAA-NOS-OCM-2019-2005879 FY19 Coral Reef Conservation Program, Domestic Coral Reef Conservation Grants DOC 11/19/2018 01/29/2019
DHS-18-MT-047-000-99 Fy 2018 Pre-Disaster Mitigation DHS-DHS 08/03/2018 01/31/2019
DHS-18-MT-029-000-99 FY 2018 Flood Mitigation Assistance DHS-DHS 08/03/2018 01/31/2019
19-516 NSF – Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future NSF 11/01/2018 02/04/2019
19-501 Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations NSF 10/06/2018 02/28/2019

 

 

Public Meetings, Events and Training

NEW Nov 27 Webinar – On Upcoming Census Bureau Release of 2013-2017 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates

The U.S. Census Bureau will hold a webinar on November 27, 2018, in advance of the December 6 release of the 2013-2017 American Community Survey five-year estimates.The webinar will show participants how to access the data and compare geographies and statistics over time. Embargo subscribers will have access to these statistics beginning Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. (EST).

The American Community Survey provides a wide range of important statistics about people and housing for every community in the nation. This survey is the only source of local estimates for most of the 40 topics it covers for communities across the nation. For example, it produces statistics for language, education, commuting, employment, mortgage status and rent, as well as income, poverty and health insurance. The five-year estimates will be available for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, every congressional district, and all counties, places, census tracts, ZIP Code Tabulation Areas and block groups.

When: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, at 2 p.m. (EST)

Access: The webinar will consist of a simultaneous audio conference and online presentation. News media will have the opportunity to ask questions following the presentation.

Audio conference access information

Toll-free number: 1-888-790-1887
Participant passcode: ACS 5 YEAR

Online presentation access information:

https://censusevent.webex.com/censusevent/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0e4487166821d4d1f0ae493254a3601b

 

Please log in early, as some setup is required. An updated browser is recommended.

 

Also Upcoming:

 

Reports, Tools and Data

NEW ITA’s New Free Market Diversification Tool; Webinars Avail Starting Nov 28

 

The new Market Diversification Tool from the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) can help.

Just tell the tool about your trade activity (what and where you are exporting) and if there are countries/regions of particular interest for limiting your search. Based on the scoring of 11 indicators (which you can adjust), you’ll learn about additional markets to consider. The indicators range from product-specific trade and tariff data to economy-level macroeconomic and governance data. You can also export the data to a spreadsheet for further analysis.

Check out this valuable new tool today at export.gov/marketdiversification.

The 30 minutes expository video is available at https://beta.trade.gov/marketdiversification/About-the-Tool.

 

Join a free training webinar in November or December to get the most out of the new Market Diversification Tool for your business. Click on a link to register for the webinars:

Each webinar will last approximately one hour.

NEW Supporting Apprenticeship through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program: New Fact Sheet Available

DOL’s Employment and Training Administration has prepared a new fact sheet presenting the ways in which the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program can serve as a funding vehicle to support apprenticeship. The two-page fact sheet may be accessed at https://doleta.gov/tradeact/benefits/docs/Apprenticeship_and_TAA_Fact_Sheet.pdf

CRS Issued Updated Report “Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs and Funding”

Congressional interest in the SBA’s loan, venture capital, training, and contracting programs has increased in recent years, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs.

With this interest on the part of legislators, the Congressional Research Service periodically updates its overview of SBA’s programs; the latest update was published last week. The document may have some reference value for staff involved in business engagement activities, entrepreneurship, regional economic development, trade, disaster response, and targeted small business programs for veterans and women.

The report also discusses recent programmatic changes resulting from the enactment of legislation, and provides an overview of the SBA’s budget and references other CRS reports that examine these programs in greater detail.

Download a copy here: (https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33243

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.

 

Find recent amendments for GA, NC and WI and other recently declared areas here: https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-emergency-management-agency#documents

 

Funding and other Assistance Available for Recovery:

Hurricane Michael: USDA Accepting Requests for Assistance to Restore Eligible Infrastructure and Businesses. Apply by Dec 5

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in South Carolina is accepting requests for assistance to help communities implement critical emergency measures and restore eligible infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, houses, and businesses as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Florence and associated flooding. Requests for assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, which is designed to relieve imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods and other natural occurrences in watershed, must be submitted in writing to the NRCS State Conservationist in South Carolina by Dec. 5, 2018.

See: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/10/26/usda-assistance-available-restore-infrastructure-damaged-hurricane

NEW U.S. Department of Labor Announces Assistance for California Wildfires Recovery

The U.S. Department of Labor (November 20) announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in California affected by devastating wildfires, which include the following:

  • The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is prepared to provide Disaster Dislocated Worker Grants to help California assess workforce needs. The disbursement of funds will be determined as needs are assessed by state and local partners. ETA is assisting in administering Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
  • The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has released guidance for employee benefit plan participants and beneficiaries in the wake of the 2018 California wildfires.
  • The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has temporarily suspended select federal contractor requirements, allowing businesses involved in wildfire relief the ability to prioritize recovery efforts.
  • The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responding to wildfires’ impact on mines, and stands ready to respond more generally with specialized equipment and personnel.
  • The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) is working with its grantees to identify flexibility and additional funding needs for its programs. VETS will provide assistance to employers, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and members of the National Disaster Medical System and Urban Search and Rescue service who may be deployed in support of rescue and recovery operations.
  • The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is prioritizing all calls in the affected areas to continue to provide uninterrupted service to workers and employers.
  • The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) issued a special enforcement advisory that would temporarily ease reporting and other regulatory burdens on labor organizations, labor relations consultants, and employers affected by the California wildfires.
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is actively engaged with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies. California enforces worker health and safety requirements in the state; OSHA stands ready to assist affected areas upon request.

FEMA Disaster Mitigation Assistance Grants; Apply by Jan 31, 2019

DHS FEMA FY 2018 Pre-Disaster Mitigation – $235 million

Applications Due: January 31, 2019

Eligible Entities: State governments, U.S. territories, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program makes available Federal funds to State, Local and Tribal Governments to implement and sustain cost-effective measures designed to reduce the risk to individuals and property from natural hazards, while also reducing reliance on Federal funding from future disasters.

FEMA will provide allocations of $575,000 as required by the Stafford Act to states and territories; and a tribal set aside of $15 million for allocations up to $575,000 for Native American Indian tribal governments to support overall mitigation planning and projects. The remaining PDM funds will be awarded on a competitive basis with a focus on multi-state/tribal mitigation initiatives. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

 

DHS FEMA FY 2018 Flood Mitigation Assistance – $160 million

Applications Due: January 31, 2019

Eligible Entities: State governments, U.S. territories, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program makes available Federal funds to State, Local and Tribal Governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA will seek to fund two types of community flood mitigation activities: Advance Assistance for flood mitigation design and development of community flood mitigation projects and mitigation projects that address community flood risk for the purpose of reducing NFIP flood claim payments. The remaining funding will be used for FMA technical assistance, mitigation planning, and mitigation projects reducing risk to severe repetitive loss (SRL) and repetitive loss (RL) properties.

For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

 

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:

 

Florida Launches Rebuild Florida

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched Rebuild Florida, a long-term recovery effort, which will provide $616 million to help Florida families whose homes were significantly damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irma repair or rebuild their homes. Rebuild Florida is a program run by DEO in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For those whose homes were destroyed or are still damaged, please go online to RebuildFlorida.gov or visit a Rebuild Florida center opening near you to register for assistance. Begin registration at RebuildFlorida.gov or by calling the Rebuild Florida representatives at 844-833-1010. Rebuild Florida centers will also be opening in the hardest hit counties. Eligible Florida residents have until Dec. 23 to register for the Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program.

More Resources for Recovery and Resilience

DOL ETA’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification Issues Guidance on Hurricanes Florence and Hurricane Michael

The Employment and Training Administration’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification has published guidance regarding reasonable case-accommodations in light of the damage done by Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael. Please see response with full details: https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/Guidance_for_Hurricanes_Florence_and_Michael.pdf

Hurricane Florence: BLS Has Employment, Wages, and Establishment Counts in Flood Zones

USDOL’s Bureau of Labor Statistics has maps and tables are available for areas in all of the states that may be affected by Hurricane Florence (https://www.bls.gov/cew/hurricane_zones/2018/florence/home.htm). The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program has created a set of maps and data for hurricane flood zones on the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts For more information, see the flood zone FAQ page.

Economic Recovery Support & the National Disaster Response Framework