Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of September 17, 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:

 

Economic Development

 

NEW EPA Seeks Applicants for Local Foods Local Places –Webinar on Oct 4

Communities can now apply for technical assistance to help revitalize their economy, improve health, and protect the environment. Local Foods, Local Places helps communities revitalize neighborhoods through development of local food systems. To date, 94 communities have benefited from assistance with support from EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Delta Regional Authority, among others. In 2018, the Northern Border Regional Commission will join as a program sponsor.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants include local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit institutions and organizations proposing to work in a neighborhood, town, or city of any size anywhere in the United States. Special consideration will be given to communities in the northern border region of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, and the Delta region of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2018.
How to apply: See complete application instructions at https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places-2018-2019-application.

EPA will host a webinar to explain more about the program and selection process on October 4, 2018, from 3:00-4:00 EDT. To register for the webinar, visit: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/lflp-5/event/registration.html.

 

Inspire! Grants for Small Museums. Apply by Nov 1

The Institute of Museum and Library Services Inspire! Grants for Small Museums is accepting applications through November 1, 2018. IMLS is also accepting applications for grants to Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services, to provide opportunities to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge through exhibitions, educational services and programming, professional development, and collections stewardship; and for Museum Grants for African American History & Culture, to build the capacity and increase access to museum and archival collections at African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Find more information on the IMLS website at: https://www.imls.gov/

 

International Trade

USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion Program. Apply by Nov 2

The ATP provides cost-share assistance to eligible U.S. organizations for activities such as consumer advertising, public relations, point-of-sale demonstrations, participation in trade fairs and exhibits, market research, and technical assistance. Applications must be submitted by November 2, 2018. The ATP is available to all sectors of U.S. agriculture, including fish and forest product producers, mainly through partnerships with non-profit national and regional organizations. Find more information on the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service’s website: Detailed application information is available here.

Infrastructure

USDA Publishes Notice of Solicitation for FY19 REAP Applications (Rural Energy for America Program)

USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service is soliciting applications for financial assistance under Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The 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. REAP also provides grants to programs that assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses evaluate the Visit USDA’s website for more information: https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas.

 

NEW FTA Solicits Expressions of Interest for the Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program

 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting expressions of interest for the Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program (Pilot Program) authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST). The Pilot Program is aimed at expediting delivery of new fixed guideway capital projects, small starts projects, or core capacity improvement projects that utilize public-private partnerships, are planned to be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider, and have a Federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost. It is also aimed at increasing innovation, improving efficiency and timeliness of project implementation, and encouraging new revenue streams.

Expressions of interest to become one of the participants in the Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery must be submitted to FTA by mail, email or facsimile by 11:59 p.m. EDT November 13, 2018.

See: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-09-12/pdf/2018-19860.pdf, and

www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/expedited-project-delivery-capital-investment-grants-pilot-3005b

 

Workforce

SBA Announces Decrease in Surety Bond Guarantee Fees for Small Businesses/Contractors

The Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) program is reducing the Surety fee from 26% to 20% of the bond premium charged to the small businesses and reducing its contractor fee from $7.29 per thousand dollars of the contract amount to $6.00 per thousand dollars of the contract amount.

Under its SBG program, the SBA guarantees bid, payment and performance bonds for small and emerging contractors who cannot obtain surety bonds through regular commercial channels.  SBA guarantees contracts up to $10 million, including the streamlined QuickApp application for those up to $400,000. For more information contact your local SBA District Office.

 

USDA Seeks Applications under the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program. Apply by Nov 19

The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic development entities in the Delta Region. Discretionary Points may be Awarded to Applications Providing Treatment and Counseling Services for Opioid Abuse. Electronic Applications due by November 19, 2018. Additional program information is available on the Rural Development website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants   

 

 

Previously Announced 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
EDA-HDQ-RNTA-2018-2005669 Economic Development Research and National Technical Assistance FY18-FY20 DOC 05/31/2018 09/30/2020
NSF 17-590 Improving Undergraduate STEM Education NSF 08/22/2017 10/01/2018
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

 

Non Federal Opportunities of Note:

 

NEW JPMorgan Chase & Co. Launches Advancing Cities Initiative; Proposals Due Nov 30.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMC) has announced the launch of AdvancingCities, a $500 million, five-year initiative to advance lasting solutions that will lead to more people connected to jobs with a career pathway and living with financial security, more small business owners growing and hiring, and economically vibrant neighborhoods. The firm will invest in cities where conditions exist to help those who have not benefited from economic growth. This includes demonstrated, strong collaboration across the public and private sectors on solutions that create opportunity for people at risk of being left out of economic growth. Proposals must incorporate at least two areas of focus within JPMorgan Chase’s Model for Impact. Solutions will help break down silos between local programs, strengthen underlying systems and advance holistic solutions to create more widely-shared prosperity.

Cities interested in applying for the AdvancingCities Challenge should visit  www.jpmorganchase.com/advancingcities. The RFP went live on September 12, and closes on November 30, 2018. JPMC will host informational calls on Sept 17 and Sept 25, 2018. Winners will be announced in the spring of 2019.

 

Recently Announced Awards:

EDA Funds Eleven Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers

$13 million in Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants will be issued to support 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) that help American manufacturers hurt by imports adjust to increasing global competition. For more info on TAAF, visit: https://www.eda.gov/pdf/about/TAAF-Program-1-Pager.pdf

 

NIST Awards $7 Million to MEP Centers in 7 States and Puerto Rico

NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has awarded funds to assist MEP centers in GA, SD, HI, MO, NY, MT, NV and PR to increase their capabilities to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems.   Project themes included new manufacturing technologies of relevance to small and medium-sized manufacturers, supply chain management and workforce intermediary and business services. Find MEP Centers and view more information at: https://www.nist.gov/mep

 

SBA Awards 24 FAST Grants to Support Small Business Innovation and R&D Commercialization

The Federal and State Technology (FAST) partnership program is designed to stimulate economic development with outreach, training, mentoring, financial support, and business/technical assistance to R&D focused small businesses, with a particular emphasis on fostering participation from women-owned, rural-based, and socially/economically disadvantaged firms to help them compete in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. For a list of recipients and more information about FAST resources, visit: https://www.sbir.gov/about-fast

 

HUD Awards Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants

Expanding on its commitment to help local communities redevelop severely distressed HUD assisted housing and revitalize neighborhoods, HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods program has awarded grants to help local leaders to craft comprehensive, homegrown plans to revitalize and transform these neighborhoods. Read local summaries of the grants announced.

HUD Posts Funding Information on all Community Planning and Development Grants

can be viewed in the  CPD Funding Matrix and Dashboard Reports that are posted to HUD Exchange. These reports provide funding information for each city and state that receive CPD program funds, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Continuum of Care (CoC), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), HOME, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and Housing Trust Fund (HTF).Reports detail the size of each grant received over the past several years, as well as the total amount of funds currently available to be spent on affordable housing and community and economic development activities

Public Meetings, Events and Training

NTIA Broadband Webinar on Sep 19at 2pm ET

Join the next BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series: Innovative and Emerging Broadband Technologies: Providing Economical Alternatives for Rural Broadband Access
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

We will discuss new, emerging and innovative wireless technologies currently being tested and/or deployed to address rural broadband challenges

Visit our Webinar Archives for past presentations, transcripts and audio recordings.

 

USDA Innovation Center Solicits Input on Program Improvements: Sept 20 Listening Session

In order to improve agency efficiency in program delivery, customer service and program utilization, the USDA Rural Development Innovation Center is working to develop a common platform to deliver four guaranteed loan programs:

The Innovation Center is hosting six listening sessions to allow for in-person comments from stakeholders on how to simplify, improve and enhance the delivery of RD guarantee loan programs. For more information on call-in information and listening session locations, visit www.usda.gov/onerdguarantee.  

NEW Sept 26 Webinar: Understanding Competency-Based Apprenticeship Programs

The Jobs for the Future’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning will host a one-hour webinar exploring the growing influence that competency-based learning frameworks and program models are having on apprenticeship in the US. The webinar will feature experts who have operated successful programs and developed nationally recognized competency frameworks for critical jobs in multiple industries to help strengthen apprenticeship across the nation

Topic:  Understanding Competency-Based Apprenticeship Programs

Time: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 2:00-3:00 pm ET Registration: https://jff.webex.com/jff/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2782584a12ac49bf82f50125ae073b0e

EPA Webinar on Clean Energy Financing, Oct 1 at 2:30 ET

Clean Energy Finance: Green Banking Strategies for Local Governments

Monday, October 1 from 1-2:30PM Eastern

Learn about exciting advancements in green banking in the United States and how these strategies can help local governments pursue their environmental, energy, and economic priorities, including experiences from the Connecticut Green Bank, which is leading innovations in the field of clean energy finance, and the Montgomery County Green Bank in Maryland, the first U.S. green bank administered by a local government. To join us, please register.

 

Treasury Invites Comments on Changing CRA Regulations, by Nov 19

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC or agency) invites comments on this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit ideas for building a new framework to transform or modernize the regulations that implement the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA). Comments on this ANPR must be received on or before November 19, 2018.

View the federal register notice for areas of comment sought and additional details: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/09/05/2018-19169/reforming-the-community-reinvestment-act-regulatory-framework

Also Upcoming:

  • NERETA’s Developing a Talent Pipeline for the Healthcare Industry (September 17 – 18, Scranton, PA) http://summit.nereta.org/

 

VIEW DETAILS at https://www.nado.org/events/2018-annual-training-conference/

 

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

Notice of Virginia Broadband Summit 10/30/2018

 

 

 

Reports, Tools and Data

NEW DOL’s ETA Announces List of Labor Surplus Areas for Fiscal Year 2019

The US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has announced the annual list of labor surplus areas (LSA) for FY 2019.ETA issues the LSA list on a fiscal year basis. The national average unemployment rate (including Puerto Rico) during this period is rounded to 4.66 percent. Twenty percent higher than the national unemployment rate during this period is rounded to 5.59 percent. Since 5.59 percent is below the “floor unemployment rate” of 6.0 percent, a civil jurisdiction must have a two-year unemployment rate of 6.0 percent in order to be classified an LSA. Therefore, areas included on the FY 2019 LSA list had an unemployment rate for the reference period of 6.0 percent or higher. The FY 2019 LSA list and statistical data are available at ETA’s LSA website at http://www.doleta.gov/programs/lsa.cfm. Additional background / procedures for classifying labor surplus areas / petition for exceptional circumstance consideration / contact:        https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-09-13/pdf/2018-19905.pdf

 

NEW Federal Reserve Bank Reports on Workforce Challenges for Southern Economies

“Building a Skilled Workforce for a Stronger Southern Economy,” co-authored with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the National Skills Coalition, finds that Southern states need to adapt to the new economy and invest in skill-building for adults to ensure that workers, families and businesses prosper. Key takeaways of the report include:

  • More than half of the jobs in the South are middle-skill positions—jobs that require education or training beyond high school but not a four-year college degree.
  • If all of the South’s graduating high school students were to stay in the region and train for open jobs that require postsecondary education, there would still be unfilled positions.
  • To close their skills gaps, Southern states must address people’s barriers to work.

Find the full report and related articles here: https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-economy

 

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. The Department collaborated with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and DirectEmployers to create the Apprenticeship Finder tool using their jobs database, the National Labor Exchange (NLx). The Apprenticeship Finder tool currently displays thousands of apprenticeship opportunities based on NLx data. Visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov/why-apprenticeship#step1 to learn how to add your apprenticeship.

Deloitte Releases “Reinventing Workforce Development: Making Job Training More Effective”

Disaster Recovery Resources & Info

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

 

Funding Assistance for Recovery Efforts:

NEW U.S. Department of Labor Stands Ready to Assist States Impacted by Hurricane Florence

As part of its commitment to state and local partners facing a serious impact by Hurricane Florence, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is ready to make available National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to help impacted States assess their workforce needs.

Georgia                                                 https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20180914

South Carolina                                      https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20180913-0

North Carolina                                      https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20180913

Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance: https://www.dol.gov/general/stormrecovery

 

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

An advisory from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/cew/hurricane_zones/2018/florence/home.htm)

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. For more information on hurricanes, see the National Hurricane Center.

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.

 

NEW USDA Announces Supplemental Grant Funding for Water/Sewer/Solid Waste Systems Impacted by 2017 Hurricanes in FL, GA, PR, SC, TX and VI

USDA’s Rural Utilities Service’s Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) received $165,475,000 in supplemental grant funding available for repairs to drinking water systems and sewer and solid waste disposal systems impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.  Entities wishing to apply for assistance, or that are in need of further information, should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office in the State where the project is located. A list of the USDA Rural Development State Offices addresses and telephone numbers appears in the notice: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-09-12/pdf/2018-19784.pdf

 

NEW 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) that it is establishing 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.

 

USDA Has Nearly $2 Billion Available to Assist Eligible Producers Affected by 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires

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

In April 2018, EDA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity, (EDA-2018-DISASTER) inviting applications for $587 million in grants available to eligible entities to address economic challenges in disaster-impacted areas. 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:

 

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

Economic Recovery Support