Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of November 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.

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

 

OPPORTUNITY ZONES

Federal Incentives and Actions Supporting Opportunity Zones

To view over 180 actions taken by federal agencies to support Opportunity Zones, as well as a host of other resources for Local Leaders, Investors and Entrepreneurs in Opportunity Zones, visit the new federal Opportunity Now, Opportunity Zones website hosted by HUD at: https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/.

 

ACCESS TO CAPITAL

 

USDA Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants Available. Next Quarterly Due Date: Dec 31, 2019.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting FY20 applications for its Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Program. Awards are made on a competitive basis to utilities that will relend the funds for local economic development efforts.  The funding may be used to assist with business start-up and expansion costs; business incubators; feasibility studies; advanced telecommunications and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training services; and community facilities that spur economic development.  For more information, applicants should contact the USDA RD representative for the state in which the project will be located:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

EPA Brownfields Program Grants.  Applications Due Dec 3;

The FY20 Brownfield Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grant Guidelines are now LIVE.  You can also view them on the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization webpage.  Application submission deadline is December 3, 2019.

The solicitations are available in www.grants.gov here:

DOT Funding Available for Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning. Closes Nov 18.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $19.19 million in Pilot Program for TOD Planning funding to support comprehensive planning associated with new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects. FTA may award amounts ranging from $250,000 to $2,000,000.

The Pilot Program for TOD Planning provides funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning in new fixed guideway and core capacity transit project corridors. As required by statute, any comprehensive planning funded through the pilot program must examine ways to improve economic development and ridership, foster multimodal connectivity and accessibility, improve transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, engage the private sector, identify infrastructure needs, and enable mixed-use development near transit stations.

Consistent with statutory direction, FTA is seeking comprehensive planning projects covering an entire transit capital project corridor, rather than proposals that involve planning for individual station areas or only a small section of the corridor. To ensure that planning work reflects the needs and aspirations of the local community and results in concrete, specific deliverables and outcomes, FTA is requiring that transit project sponsors partner with entities with land use planning authority in the transit project corridor.

Link to Additional Information: FTA Opportunity FTA-2019-010-TPE

 

RESILIENCE AND MITIGATION

 

NEW: Applicants Sought for Disaster Resilience and Response Technology Challenge. LOI due Jan 8.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA), in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), today announced the Accelerate R2 Network Challenge. The program is a $1 million grant challenge to address the nation’s most pressing disaster response and resiliency (R2) challenges with innovative technologies. The Accelerate R2 Network Challenge is seeking proposals from organizations to form networks on a national scale that will support innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and investment in transformative technologies in the response and resiliency markets. EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) is leading the administration of this new effort to spur innovation capacity-building activities in regions across the nation. Visit  OIE’s Accelerate R2 webpage for specific details on the forthcoming informational webinar and other applicant resources for this grant competition.

 

FEMA FY19 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Funds Available. Closes Jan 31, 2020.

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 $20 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. Visit Grants.gov for full details: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=320395

 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

NEW: Department of Labor Grants for Workforce Development in Opioid Impacted Areas. Apply by Jan 9.

As authorized by the SUPPORT Act (Public Law 115-271), the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is making available up to $20 million in grant funds for the Support to Communities: Fostering Opioid Recovery through Workforce Development grant program (FOA-ETA-20-01) to fund approximately 8 to 10 partnership grants, with awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million.   Grants will be made under the WIOA National Dislocated Worker Grants / WIA National Emergency Grants program. These grants intend to allow State workforce agencies (through Participating Partnerships led by local workforce development boards), outlying areas, or Tribal organizations to creatively align and deliver career, training, and supportive services that will best serve workers in their local areas impacted by the crisis. For details, visit Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321875

 

Open Federal Funding Opportunities:  

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
PWEAA2020

 

 FY 2020 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs DOC-EDA 10/18/2019 Open
EDA-2019-DISASTER

 

 FY 2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental DOC-EDA 08/13/2019 Open
693JJ319NF-NSFLTP Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) DOT-FHWA 10/04/2018 Open
 

FTA-2019-010-TPE

 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning DOT-FTA 09/18/2019 11/18/2019
EPA-OLEM-OBLR-19-05 FY20 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT GRANTS EPA 10/10/2019 12/03/2019
EPA-OLEM-OBLR-19-06 FY20 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD REVOLVING LOAN FUND GRANTS EPA 10/10/2019 12/03/2019
TATFY20 TAT Grant Program USDA-RUS 10/01/2019 12/31/2019
DHS-19-MT-047-000-99 FY19 Pre-Disaster Mitigation DHS-DHS 09/09/2019 01/31/2020
EDA-HDQ-OIE-2020-2006301 Accelerate R2 Network Challenge – FINAL DOC 10/18/2019 03/11/2020
CRNR-2020 Coral Reef and Natural Resources Program DOI 10/16/2019 04/01/2020
TAP-2020 Technical Assistance Program DOI 10/04/2019 04/01/2020
EPA-OLEM-OBLR-19-07 FY20 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD CLEANUP GRANTS EPA 10/10/2019 12/03/20

Recently Announced Federal Awards

NEW  View USDA Applications and Awards for Rural Broadband Projects

USDA’s Broadband ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis.  Visit https://www.usda.gov/reconnect to view a list and map of applications under review, and projects awarded to date. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.

 

Public Meetings, Events and Training

SBA Announces National Veterans Small Business Week (Nov 4 – 8)

The Small Business Administration has announced a celebration veteran-owned small businesses during the sixth annual National Veterans Small Business Week (November 4 – 8). This year’s theme will highlight the veteran entrepreneurship journey and the many resources available to support their mission to successful business ownership. Learn more

 

SBA’s SBIR Road Tour: Final Stops in the FL and Caribbean (Nov 13-15)

The Small Business Administration (SBA) 16-stop road tour connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early stage funding is coming to an end.  The tour featured the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The remaining stops are:

  • Caribbean: the SBIR Road Tour will stop in Miami, Florida on November 13 and in Puerto Rico on November 15.

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

 

NEW Nov 19 FHWA Webinar – Value Capture Strategies to Defray Transportation Project Costs

Value Capture Implementation Manual Webinar – November 19, 2019 »

There are a variety of mechanisms that may be used to derive monetary value from transportation improvements to help defray the cost of their implementation. Value capture strategies can be used to help pay for roadway and transit improvements by leveraging localized benefits. The FHWA Center for Innovative Finance Support encourages state and local jurisdictions to look for new revenue sources to address funding shortfalls and is available to provide technical assistance in these areas. Learn more about Value Capture by joining  FHWA’s Webinar Series: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/value_capture/capacity_building/webinar_series/, and by viewing resources on their webpage here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/value_capture/

 

NEW Nov. 20 BroadbandUSA Webinar on Building a Digital Workforce (Nov 20)

BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series

Topic: Building Digital Workforce Skills at the Local Level

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
A digitally skilled workforce is essential for the economic development of our nation’s communities. Companies of all sizes need employees that understand technology, whether it’s on the business or operational side of the organization. Join NTIA’s BroadbandUSA webinar to hear how local leaders are building partnerships between governments, businesses, nonprofits and education institutions to help residents attain the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy. Register here: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/webinar_191120

 

Reports, Research and Tools

BLS Publishes Business Employment Dynamics Data for First Quarter 2019

The Bureau of Labor Statistics today (October30) reported that gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector from December 2019 to March 2019 was 7.4 million.  This represented a decrease of 393,000 jobs from the previous quarter.  (Click here for the full news release and access to the data tables.)

 

CDBG National Accomplishment Reports (FY 2005 – FY 2019) Available on HUD Exchange

The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) National Accomplishment Reports have been posted for FY 2005 – FY 2019. The CDBG National Accomplishment Reports display accomplishments for selected housing, economic development, public improvement, and public service activities. Click the link to view reports: CDBG National Accomplishment Reports

All CDBG reports are also accessible from the CDBG Reports, Program Data, and Income Limits page on the HUD Exchange.

 

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 Economic Recovery:

HUD TA for Disaster Recovery in Distressed Cities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has begun accepting requests for Technical Assistance (TA) under the new Distressed Cities Technical Assistance (DCTA) Program.  This TA program is specifically designed to assist communities with populations under 40,000 that are struggling to recover from natural disaster and economic decline. The TA program will be community-specific and scaled to ensure a measurable impact on communities’ growth and resilience, as well as an efficient use of public funds.  Note that HUD strongly encourages interested jurisdictions to contact your HUD Field Office prior to submitting a request for TA.

 

CLOSING SOON: Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund – Apply by Nov 12.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has grants funds available through its Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund. Eligible projects must be located within the outlined National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) Coastal Areas and be within counties that received a federal disaster declaration as a result of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Yutu, or the wildfires of 2018.  Applications are due by November 12, 2019. Apply through NFWF’s online applicant portal. See RFP for full details: https://www.nfwf.org/coastalresilience/emergency/Pages/ecrf-2019rfp.aspx

 

EDA Disaster Supplemental Funding Available for Areas Impacted by 2018/19 Disasters

On August 13, 2019, EDA announced the EDA Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), making available $587 million for eligible grantees in communities impacted by Presidentially declared natural disasters in 2018, and by floods and tornadoes in 2019. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. View Opportunity Number EDA-2019-DISASTER on Grants.gov,  and contact your EDA Regional Office representative for eligibility information and application assistance.

 

USDA Rural Housing Announced Availability of 2019 Disaster Relief Act Funds

USDA Rural Housing Service’s Community Facilities Program (CF) has supplemental grant funding available for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Michael and Florence and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2018, tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, and other natural disasters. Submit applications through USDA State Office contacts, available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/ about-rd/offices/state-offices.

 

Economic Recovery Support & the National Disaster Response Framework