Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of September 24, 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

EPA Seeks Applicants for Local Foods Local Places –Apply by Oct 22

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. 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: October 22, 2018.See complete application instructions at https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places-2018-2019-application.

 

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) 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 has a continuous application cycle, with certain due dates for specific assistance including:

  • Applications for Loans and Grants of $20,000 or Less: October 31, 2018 or April 1, 2019
  • Applications for Loan/Unrestricted Grants: April 1, 2019
  • Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant: January 31, 2019
  • Guaranteed Loans: Continuous Application Cycle

Visit USDA’s website for more information: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency

 

Regional Innovation

NSF Announces $16M Avail to Support National Network of Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs. Applications due Dec 18

 

The National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) initiated the National Network of Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs (BD Hubs) program in FY 2015.   Four Big Data Hubs (BD Hubs) — Midwest, Northeast, South, and West — were established, one in each of the four Census Regions of the United States. The BD Hubs provide the ability to engage local or regional stakeholders, e.g., city, county, and state governments, local industry and non-profits, and regional academic institutions, in big data research, and permit a focus on regional issues.

NSF has announced a new solicitation to continue the operation of the national network of BD Hubs and build on demonstrated strengths of the program, which has grown to include a set of BD Spokes affiliated with the BD Hubs, and is responsive to the recent developments in data science.  NSF has identified $16 million for investment.

Among organizations eligible to apply, NSF identifies two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty member. Applications are due December 18.  See Grants.gov Funding Opportunity# 18-598:  https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=309108

 

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
ETA-TEGL-4-18 Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants to Address the Opioid Crisis DOL-ETA   09/14/2018 09/30/2019
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
18-598 Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs NSF   09/20/2018 12/18/2018

 

Non Federal Opportunities of Note:

 

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.  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:

NEW Treasury Department Awards $202M for CDFIs to Support Economic Growth in Low-Income Communities

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded 302 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) $202.2 million in awards on September 19 The awards, through the fiscal year (FY) 2018 round of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program), will enable CDFIs to increase lending and investment activity in low-income and economically distressed communities across the nation. One-third of the awardees have committed to specifically serving Persistent Poverty Counties. Click these links to view the funding recipients for FY18:

To learn more about the CDFI Fund and its programs, please visit the CDFI Fund’s website atwww.cdfifund.gov.

NEW Energy Department Announces $5M for Energy Planning, Innovative Energy Practices, and Technical Assistance in 16 States

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced approximately $5 million in funding for 16 states to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and improve energy productivity. Through DOE’s State Energy Program (SEP), each of the 16 awardees will work to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, grid resiliency, and improve energy reliability and affordability. Several of the SEP projects are multi-state partnerships, expanding the impact of these investments. Learn more about the projects announced here: https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-announces-5-million-energy-planning-innovative-energy-practices-and

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

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.

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. Click here to register.

 

NEW Oct 4 Opportunity Zones Webinar: Mission Investors Exchange

Join Mission Investors Exchange on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 3 PM ET for a webinar, “Opportunity Zones: A Dispatch from the Field” for the latest. This 75-minute live webinar will be moderated by Fran Seegull, Executive Director of the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance. The webinar will highlight how industry leaders are using their clout to shape legislation, champion communities they care about and hold the line on impact integrity and inclusion in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.

Registration: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8802013185807671555?source=Email+9%2F12

Also Upcoming:

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 National Coal Council October 1 Meeting to Discuss Export Opportunities of U.S. Coal

The National Coal Council will hold a virtual meeting via webcast at 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (EST) on October 1, 2018, for the sole purpose of reviewing and voting on the following two reports: “Advancing U.S. Coal Exports: An Assessment of Opportunities to Enhance Exports of U.S. Coal” and “Power Reset: Optimizing the Existing Coal Fleet to Ensure a Reliable and Resilient Grid.” The Council membership will be asked to accept these reports and forward them to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. The draft reports are available on the National Coal Council website at the following URL: http://www.nationalcoalcouncil.org/page-NCC-Studies.html.

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. 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

 

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. 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. 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:

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 US DOL National Dislocated Worker Grant Announced for North Carolina in Wake of Hurricane Florence

The U.S. Department of Labor today (September 21) announced the award of a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the North Carolina Department of Commerce to assess workforce needs in response to Hurricane Florence.

The storm received a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on September 14, 2018, enabling the State to request DWG funding to assess workforce needs in the following 18 counties declared eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program: Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Jones, New Hanover, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, and Wayne.

U.S. Department of Labor has also announced additional actions taken in response to Hurricane Florence, including the following:

  • The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is assisting in administering Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
  • The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is coordinating with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, on the release of compliance guidance for employee benefit plans, and plan participants and beneficiaries, in the wake of Hurricane Florence.
  • The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is temporarily suspending select federal contractor requirements, allowing businesses involved in hurricane relief the ability to prioritize recovery efforts.
  • The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responding to Hurricane Florence’s 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 staff is prepared to offer 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) will be prioritizing all calls in the affected areas to continue to provide uninterrupted service to workers and employers.
  • The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) has issued a special enforcement advisory that temporarily eases reporting and other regulatory burdens on labor organizations, labor relations consultants, and employers affected by Hurricane Florence.
  • 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, and is prepared to provide assistance. North Carolina and South Carolina have state-controlled worker safety and health programs; OSHA stands ready to assist affected states upon request.
  • Public Service Announcements – in English and Spanish – have been prepared for broadcast emphasizing the need to work safely in affected areas during recovery efforts. Other hurricane recovery safety materials are available at OSHA.gov.

The Department will continue to monitor developments regarding Hurricane Florence and take additional actions as necessary. For the latest updates, please visit the Department’s Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance webpage.

 

 

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.

 

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:

 

Economic Recovery Support