Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of October 15, 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:

 

Infrastructure

USDA FY19 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – Small Grant Applications Due Oct 31

USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service is soliciting applications for financial assistance under Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP offers funding assistance through grants and guaranteed loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. Visit USDA’s website for more information: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency

 

NEW USDA Announces Funding Opportunity under the Technical Assistance and Training Program – Water and Waste Water Systems. Apply by Dec 31.

The Department of Agriculture’s Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program has been established to communities with water or wastewater systems through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipients. Under a grant solicitation announced on October 1, qualified private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply TAT grant funds to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems in rural areas, assist applicants in preparing applications for water and waste grants made at the State level offices, and improve operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas.

 

Funds may be used to pay expenses associated with providing technical assistance and/or training) to identify and evaluate solutions to water problems relating to source, storage, treatment, or distribution; to identify and evaluate solutions to waste problems relating to collection, treatment, or disposal; assist applicants that have filed a pre-application with the Rural Utilities Service in the preparation of water and/or waste loan and/or grant applications; and to provide training that will improve the management, operation, and maintenance of water and waste disposal facilities

USDA has identified $20,000,000 for investment.  Applications are due by December 31.

See: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=309338

 

NEW FHWA Announces Funding Opportunity under the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program. First Round of Applications Due Dec 17.

The Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) requests grant applications for the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act established the NSFLTP Program to provide Federal funding to projects of national significance for construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of transportation facilities within, adjacent to, or providing access to Federal or Tribal lands.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated quarterly, until available funding has been exhausted. The first application deadline is December 17, 2018. After that, subsequent deadlines will be 11:59 p.m. on the last business day of the next fiscal quarter. The FHWA will award NSFLTP Program funds based on outlined selection criteria and policy considerations in the announcement, which include projects that: ·         Improve the condition of critical transportation facilities, including multimodal facilities, by considering the requirements the applicant communicates in the application. Examples may include but are not limited to: A bridge in poor condition that may be subject to closure in the absence of funds; primary transportation facility that provides access to critical community services, high use recreation destination areas and/or economic generators within Tribal and/or Federal lands.

 

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Refer to CFDA Number: 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction. For full details, See the October 5 FEDERAL REGISTER notice:  https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-10-05/pdf/2018-21826.pdf

 

Innovation Networks – R&D in Science and Engineering

NEW NSF Funding Available for Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet). LOI due Dec 21.

PROGRAM SOLICITATION NSF 19-501.  The AccelNet program supports strategic linkages among U.S. research networks and complementary networks abroad that will leverage research and educational resources to tackle grand scientific challenges that require significant coordinated international efforts. The program seeks to foster high-impact science and engineering by providing opportunities to create new collaborations and new combinations of resources and ideas among linked global networks.

This solicitation invites proposals for the creation of international networks of networks in research areas aligned either with one of the NSF Big Ideas or a community-identified scientific challenge with international dimensions. AccelNet awards are meant to support the connections among research networks, rather than supporting fundamental research as the primary activity. Each network of networks is expected to engage in innovative collaborative activities that promote synergy of efforts across the networks and provide professional development for students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career researchers. There are two proposal categories covered by this solicitation: Catalytic and Full-Scale Implementation.

Award Information

  • Estimated Number of Awards:7 to 9
  • Anticipated Funding Amount: $3 million to $6 million per award, pending availability of funds.

Eligibility Information

  • Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.
  • Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities.

Due Dates FY2019 Competition:

  • Letter of Intent (required) Due: December 21, 2018
  • Full Proposal Deadline: February 28, 2019

See NSF website for additional details regarding this PROGRAM SOLICITATION NSF 19-501.

 

International Trade and Export Assistance

International Trade Administration Publishes Schedule for Trade Missions in 2019

The International Trade Administration has published the schedule for a number of upcoming trade missions in 2019. ITA outlines these missions in the September 25 FEDERAL REGISTER:  https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-09-25/pdf/2018-20805.pdf

For purposes of assessing participation fees, the Department of Commerce defines Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations (see http://www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. Additional information about each mission can be found at http://export.gov/trademissions).

 

Rural Development

FY 2019 Appropriation for the Appalachian Regional Commission

The Presidentially approved Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water Appropriations Act includes $165 million for Appalachian Regional Commission. This is the largest appropriation for ARC’s non-highway work in the agency’s history. The legislation includes:

  • $73 million for ARC’s base program.
  • $50 million for the POWER program of special assistance to coal-impacted communities.
  • $16 million for a program of workforce and industrial site development focused primarily on the automotive and aviation sectors in South and South Central Appalachia.
  • $16 million for a program of basic infrastructure improvements in distressed counties in Central Appalachia.
  • $10 million to continue a program of broadband deployment in distressed counties in Central Appalachia.

President Trump signed the bill into law on September 21, 2018. Funding opportunities will be posted here as they become available and are announced by ARC.

 

Entrepreneurship and Government Contracting

 

NEW Startup In Residence Program Now Accepting Applications – Apply by Nov 7

Government is the last major sector that has been relatively untapped by startups. The Startup in Residence program helps innovative organizations secure government contracts.

The 16 week, mostly remote program connects startups with government partners such as Portland, Miami, San Francisco, and Las Vegas to develop solutions for civic challenges.

 

Entrepreneurs can apply to solve one of 80+ challenges across areas such as data analytics, AR, geo services, mobility, and resiliency. Browse challenges on StartupinResidence.org.

Apply by November 7.

 

STIR was initially started by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation to bridge the gap between startups and government. The expedited solutions that were deployed as a result of the program propelled uptake in government participation.  City Innovate now runs the program, driving its expansion across North America. The STIR network now includes 30 government partners, including cities, counties, states, metro transit authorities, and regional planning authorities.

 

For more information, visit: https://startupinresidence.org/program/

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 FY 2018 Economic Development Assistance Programs. Application submission and program requirements for EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs DOC-EDA 07/02/2018
FOA-ETA-18-08 Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies DOL-ETA 07/18/2018 10/16/2018
NOAA-NMFS-SE-2019-2005794 FY 2019 Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) DOC 08/22/2018 10/23/2018
USDA-NIFA-SBIR-006649 Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Fiscal Year 2019 USDA-NIFA 07/23/2018 10/25/2018
IGSM-FY19 Inspire! Grants for Small Museums IMLS 08/16/2018 11/01/2018
AAHC-FY19 Museum Grants for African American History & Culture IMLS 08/16/2018 11/01/2018
2018-09 Agricultural Trade Promotion Program USDA-FAS-OTP 08/31/2018 11/02/2018
RDBCP-DHCS-2018 Delta Health Care Service Grant Program USDA-RBCS 09/07/2018 11/19/2018
18-598 Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs NSF 09/20/2018 12/18/2018

 

Recently Announced Awards:

NEW Appalachian Regional Commission Announced $26.5 Million to Diversify and Strengthen Region’s Coal-Impacted Communities

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced $26.5 million to expand and diversify the economy in Appalachia’s coal-impacted communities through the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. These 35 awards are projected to create or retain over 5,400 jobs and leverage more than $193 million in private investment into 59 of the Region’s coal-impacted counties by supporting workforce training and education in manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and other industry sectors. They also invest in infrastructure enhancements to continue developing the Region’s tourism, entrepreneurial, and agriculture sectors, as well as increase access to community-based capital, including impact-investing funds, venture capital, and angel investment streams.
A summary of ARC’s announced awards, as well as more information about ARC’s work in diversifying the economy in Appalachia’s coal-impacted communities, is available at www.arc.gov/power.

Public Meetings, Events and Training

New Broadband USA Oct 17 Webinar features EDA, USDA, FCC Resources:

Topic: Federal Broadband Funding: Policies and Programs to Connect America

Date:   Wednesday, October 17, 2018

   Time:  2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET

Overview: Join BroadbandUSA for an overview of federal funding options to support increasing broadband access in communities across the United States. Learn about recent program and policy updates from officials representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Speakers:

  • Barrett L. Haga, Ph.D., Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Shawn Arner, RUS Telecommunications Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Kate Dumouchel, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission

 

Please pre-register for the webinar using this registration link.   After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

2018 Minority Enterprise Development Week   – October 14-20, 2018

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is honored to celebrate Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week in partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council at the 2018 NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange in Austin TX this week. MBDA will present a series of Powered by MBDA workshops and seminars at the conference that will focus on Federal Government resources including trade/exports, infrastructure, and federal procurement opportunities. Visit MBDA’s website for more information and resources: https://www.mbda.gov/news/blog/2018/10/national-minority-enterprise-development-week

 

 

NEW Oct 29 Presentation: Aspen Institute Unveils New Tool to Measure Good Jobs

On October 29, the Economic Opportunities Program’s Good Companies/Good Jobs Initiative, in partnership with Working Metrics, will unveil a new tool that assesses businesses’ job quality performance for frontline workers and benchmarks them against others. This tool is part of a unique nonprofit-for profit collaboration with Working Metrics to get this tool into the hands of investors and businesses’ procurement systems to help them include firms’ treatment of workers in their decision making – thereby creating strong incentives for business change.

The Working in America event will include a presentation on this innovative new tool and discussion with businesses who contributed to it and used it to improve their practices. Link to register for event: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/the-aspen-institute-launches-new-tool-to-create-business-incentives-by-measuring-good-jobs/

 

Also Upcoming:

 

  • MBDA and National Minority Suppliers Development Council’s 2018 Conference + Business Opportunity Exchange (October 14-17, Austin TX) REGISTER ONLINE TODAY
  • University Economic Development Association Summit (October 21 – 24, Milwaukee, WI) http://www.UEDAAnnualSummit.org

·         NTIA Broadband Summit on October 30 (Roanoke, VA)

Notice of Virginia Broadband Summit 10/30/2018

 

 

 

  • SSTI’s 2018 Annual Conference (Dec. 3-5, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT) Explore the full conference agenda and register here

Reports, Tools and Data

White House Releases “Strategy for American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing”

From the National Science Foundation

On Oct. 5, 2018, the White House released a report, Strategy for American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing, which highlighted the key roles that federal agencies play in fostering the growth of advanced manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing production continues to grow at a consistently strong pace, creating more U.S. economic value per dollar spent than any other sector. Federal investments, such as those made by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its partners, supply critical support to future manufacturing innovators and to early stage ideas, technologies and approaches.

UPDATED Opportunity Zone Explorer by Opportunity360

Created in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Opportunity Zones are designed to drive long-term capital into low-income communities across the nation, using tax incentives to encourage private investment into designated census tracts through privately- or publicly-managed investment funds. In early 2018, governors nominated Opportunity Zones in each state.  By June, Treasury had approved Opportunity Zones in all 50 states, five territories, and Washington, D.C. Learn more.

The Opportunity360 team created the Opportunity Zone Explorer to help those interested in opportunity zones to determine which tracts in their state or region have been designated and how they relate to other federal programs and designations. In addition, users can filter tracts using the Opportunity360 Outcome Indices to see how people living in these tracts are faring across our five outcome dimensions and explore tracts that were eligible but not designated by the states as Opportunity Zones.

 

This tool is under active development by the Opportunity360 team, and new features and data will be added as they become available. Support for this tool was generously provided by The Kresge Foundation.

Q.s and A’s are available at https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/opportunity360/faq

Resources to Support Appalachia’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

The Appalachian Regional Commission has released Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Appalachia, a suite of new research reports and resources to support entrepreneurial development in Appalachia. The research includes three reports which outline core elements necessary for a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, analyze community case studies to provide insight into the unique challenges faced by communities in Appalachia, and offer recommendations to support future economic development across the Region.  The companion website, www.arc.gov/ecosystems, features a searchable inventory of over 1,000 technical support providers and community based resources available to Appalachian entrepreneurs. This research was conducted in partnership with EntreWorks Consulting, the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, and the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.

 

Department of Labor Announces Launch of Apprenticeship.gov to feature Apprenticeship Finder Tool and Other Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the launch of a new digital platform, Apprenticeship.gov. Site contains the Apprenticeship Finder, a no-cost tool to employers or career seekers, is addressing a need shared by employers who are looking to promote their apprenticeship opportunities and career seekers searching to access them. Visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov/why-apprenticeship#step1 to learn more.

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.

These are posted in the Federal Register here: https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-emergency-management-agency#documents

 

Funding Assistance for Recovery Efforts:

 

NEW Department of Interior Requests Proposals for Technical Assistance Insular Areas; Includes Disaster Assistance. Apply by March 1, 2019

The Office of Insular Affairs within the Department of Interior is requesting proposals for its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) which provides grant funding for short-term projects intended to meet the immediate needs of the insular areas. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to, projects that foster the development of the insular areas in the following categories:

 

Accountability, financial management, economic development, education, energy production,

management control initiatives, disaster assistance, natural and cultural resources, capacity building,

public safety/emergencies, health initiatives, and invasive species management.

 

Eligible applicants are non-federal entities such as local government agencies (including local hospitals/health centers and local utilities) and institutions of higher education in Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; and any non-profit organizations whose mission directly benefits the seven insular areas in accordance with regulations contained in 2 CFR 200.

Applications will be accepted via Grants.Gov until March 1, 2019. Applications received later than March 1st may not receive consideration. See: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=309406

 

Sign Up for USDA Assistance for Agricultural Producers Affected by 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires by Nov 16

Agricultural producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires in 2017 now may apply for assistance to help recover and rebuild their farming operations. Signup begins July 16, 2018, and continues through November 16, 2018. See: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/07/16/nearly-2-billion-now-available-eligible-producers-affected-2017

 

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). This program will connect eligible Floridians with federal disaster recovery funding, prioritizing most-impacted communities and the most vulnerable low-income individuals, including the elderly, those with disabilities and families with young children.

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.

 

Economic Recovery Support

Also of Interest:

 

NEW President Trump Signs “Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018”; Includes Disaster Assistance

On October 5, President Trump signed into law H.R. 302, the “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018,” which

  • reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration and related revenue authorities through September 30, 2023;
  • modifies the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster assistance authorities;
  • provides $1.68 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Fund for long-term disaster recovery;
  • further integrates unmanned aircraft systems into the Nation’s airspace systems; and
  • establishes an United States International Development Finance Corporation.

 

GAO Report on 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires: Initial Observations on the Federal Response and Key Recovery Challenges
GAO-18-472, September 4

Hurricane Florence:  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. Where permitted by State regulations, maps include dots indicating the location of business and government establishments. This product is the combination of geocoded BLS establishment data and flood zones created by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and State emergency management authorities. For more information, see the flood zone FAQ page.

HUD Announces Expedited Process for Review of Requests from Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Declarations

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has published a notice (https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-09-12/pdf/2018-19708.pdf) announcing an expedited process for review of requests for relief from HUD regulatory and/or administrative requirements for public housing agencies (PHAs) that are located in counties that are included in Major Disaster Declarations (MDDs). PHAs located in areas covered by MDDs issued for which a related disaster occurs during 2018 may request waivers of HUD requirements and receive expedited review of such requests utilizing the flexibilities and expedited waiver process set out in the notice.