Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related for the Week of September 30, 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

Department of Commerce Invites Public Comment on Opportunity Zones. Respond by Oct 18

DOC’s  Request for Information (RFI) notice seeks public input on how the Federal Government can better align its various economic development programs and resources so as to encourage and facilitate beneficial investments in urban and economically distressed communities, including in qualified Opportunity Zones. Please send your comments before October 18, by emailing: [email protected]. Include “Comments on RFI” in the subject line of the message.

Additional resources for Opportunity Zones:

See for example, the OZ Playbook for Community Partners , Opportunity Zone Playbook for Community Partners,, developed by the Local Initiatives Support in partnership with Corporation (LISC) Council for Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) and the Ford Foundation.

Also: Urban Institute: An Opportunity Zone Guide for Governors and a Case Study of South Carolina

 

ACCESS TO CAPITAL

CDFI Fund’s CY19 New Markets Tax Credit Program. Apply by Oct 28

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has up to $3.5 billion in tax credit allocation authority available for the CY 2019 round.

More information about the NMTC Program can be found on the program’s webpage, or in the program’s fact sheet.

 

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

 USDA FY20 and FY21 SBIR Opportunities. Apply by Oct 23 for FY20 Funds

The Department of Agriculture announced the opening of the solicitation process for the FY 2020 and FY 2021 for its SBIR program.  Funds may be awarded up to $100,000 for a Phase I project. Projects dealing with agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged. Click here for the solicitation.

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

NEW: 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

 

USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Upcoming Deadline: Oct 31.

USDA Rural Development offers REAP funding to support agricultural producers and rural small businesses to reduce energy costs and consumption with by purchasing and installing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements in their operations. Application Deadlines: Grants – Oct 31 & March 31, 2020.

Loan Guarantees: Accepted year-round

 

RESILIENCE AND MITIGATION

NEW: 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.

Applicants must submit applications via the Mitigation eGrants system on the FEMA Grants Portal. Applicants may submit a maximum of 9 project sub-applications notwithstanding any project(s) submitted for the state/territory allocation or tribal set aside.  In addition, any state or tribe willing to serve as the applicant for a multi-state or tribal activity may submit one additional plan or project subapplication.

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

 

Workforce Development

DOE Minority Education, Workforce, And Training Program. Apply by Oct 7.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) workforce improvement program helps public and private organizations collaborate to increase access for underserved and rural communities in STEM and energy fields. Application Deadline: October 7, 2019

 

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
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
EDAP2018 FY18 Economic Development Assistance Programs: Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance DOC-EDA 07/02/2018 Open
USDA-NIFA-SBIR-006790 FY 20 and FY21 SBIR Phase I RFA USDA-NIFA 07/25/2019 10/23/2019
USDA-NIFA-SBIR-006790 FY 20 and FY21 SBIR Phase I RFA USDA-NIFA 07/25/2019 10/23/2019
FR-6300-N-34 FY19 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program HUD 08/05/2019 11/04/2019
FTA-2019-010-TPE Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning DOT-FTA Posted 09/18/2019 11/18/2019
DHS-19-MT-047-000-99 FY19 Pre-Disaster Mitigation DHS-DHS Posted 09/09/2019 01/31/2020

Recently Announced Federal Awards

NEW: Treasury Department Announces FY 2019 CDFI Program and NACA Program Technical Assistance Awards

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has recently awarded 73 organizations more than $9.16 million in awards. The fiscal year (FY) 2019 Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program) Technical Assistance Awards will allow certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and emerging CDFIs to build their capacity to provide services to low-income and underserved people and communities across America. To learn more about the CDFI Fund and its programs, please visit www.cdfifund.gov. Additional information about the CDFI Program is available at www.cdfifund.gov/cdfi, and the NACA Program at www.cdfifund.gov/native.

FY 2019 CDFI NACA TA Award List
FY 2019 Technical Assistance Application Evaluation Process

 

NEW:  USDA Announces Water and Wastewater Projects in 25 States.

On September 23, USDA announced it is investing $144 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 25 states (PDF, 163 KB). The investments will fund 45 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Eligible applicants include rural cities and towns, and water districts. They can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. USDA had $2.9 billion available for Water and Environmental Program loans and grants at the beginning of fiscal year 2019. USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks.

 

NEW: SBA Announces $3M for 60 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Recipients

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced 60 winners of SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.  The recipients, representing accelerators and incubators across 39 states and territories focused on a broad set of industries and sectors, will receive a total of $3 million in awards to support startups and entrepreneurs researching and developing STEM-related innovations. For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition and a full list of award winners past and present, visit: www.sba.gov/accelerators and www.sbir.gov/accelerators.

 

NEW NSF Awards Workforce Development Grants for Microelectronics Manufacturing. 

SEMI, the global industry association representing the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute this week announced that they have been awarded a $6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund workforce development initiatives for the microelectronics manufacturing industry. The funding, to be provided over three years, will support the development and implementation of a semiconductor workforce certification program designed to meet the industry’s most pressing needs.

The project is funded by the NSF’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, whAich focuses on educating technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation’s economy.SUNY Poly, with campuses in Albany and Utica, New York, will administer the grant The NSF funding will enable SUNY Poly to scale its high-tech-centered courses and bolster its support of technology companies in the Albany and Utica, New York region and beyond.

 

Public Meetings, Events and Training

THIS WEEK -Oct 2:   Dpt of Energy Webinar on Tribal Energy Projects.

Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy webinars

October 2, 1 PM (ET) – Tribal Energy Business Case Studies and Success Factors

Case studies can be both very informative and inspirational. This webinar will delve into the details of successful tribal energy development structures and examine how those business structures impacted project financing and development. Presenters will focus on identifying key decisions and approaches that contributed to their success.

Register

THIS WEEK – Oct 3 – Webinar: Celebrating Manufacturers and the Resources They Use for Growing Global Sales

THIS THURSDAY  October 3, 2019, 2 p.m. ET (No Fee).  Join in celebrating Manufacturing Day at a virtual roundtable with accomplished small business manufacturers. Hear their secrets to success, including how to tap into valuable government resources to help grow your company’s international sales.You’ll learn about resources to:

  • Access Trade Data
  • Find New Buyers
  • Finance Deals
  • Reduce Nonpayment Risk

This no-cost webinar will feature U.S. manufacturers explaining their successful experiences working with multiple government agencies to boost their export sales. Webinar registrants will be able to ask questions via a webinar chat feature. Sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Export-Import Bank, U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Commercial Service.

 

THIS WEEK: NIST MEP Promotes Resources for Manufacturing Day – October 4

NIST MEP’s September 27 edition of its Manufacturing Innovation blog reminds stakeholders that this year’s Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) is on October 4, 2019, with over 2,000 events already registered on the MFG Day website. Here are some tips that the members of the MEP National NetworkTM, participants in MFG Day since 2012, have found useful year after year. Visit the mfgday.com blog for articles and tips, including the  mfgday.com Resources section includes detailed instructional “toolkits” useful for communities to plan and promote their events.

 

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.

 

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

 

Reports, Tools and Data

NEW: Manufacturing USA Annual Report: Delivering Value for the Nation

Manufacturing USA® this week released its 2018 Annual Report, describing innovations underway at the 14 Manufacturing USA institutes, with member organizations across the country focused on technology and workforce development.

 

NEW: EPA Issues Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment: FY 2020 Grant Funding Guidance

Published in the September 23 FEDERAL REGISTER, the FY 2020 grant funding guidance is applicable as of October 1, 2019. EPA expects to make non-competitive grant awards to states and tribes which apply during FY 2020.

Environmental Protection Agency Section 128(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, authorizes a noncompetitive $50 million grant program to establish and enhance state and tribal response programs. These response programs generally address the assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment of brownfields sites and other sites with actual or perceived contamination. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, EPA will consider grant requests up to a maximum of $1.0 million per state or tribe. This document announces the availability of guidance that will assist states and tribes in the development and submission of grant applications and the use of Fiscal Year 2020 section 128(a) funds.

 

NEW: EPA and FEMA Issue New Regional Resilience Toolkit

Follow this link to download a new community resource: the Regional Resilience Toolkit: 5 Steps to Build Large-Scale Resilience to Natural Disasters: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/regional-resilience-toolkit The new toolkit was created by EPA and FEMA, in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Association of Bay Area Governments (MTC/ABAG). This toolkit offers five steps for communities to

    1. ENGAGE partners
    2. ASSESS disaster risks
    3. ACT on priority resilience goals
    4. FUND projects and
    5. MEASURE progress

It is designed to help any jurisdiction, no matter the size or capacity or hazard, manage the planning and outreach needed to build a more resilient future. EPA and FEMA hope to continue using this toolkit to provide direct assistance to regions around the U.S.

 

DOL ETA Announces Availability of the Labor Surplus Area List for FY 2020

The Employment and Training Administration has published a September 25 notice regarding the availability of the Labor Surplus Area list for FY 2020. The notice addresses:

  • Introduction
  • Eligible Labor Surplus Areas
  • Procedures for Classifying Labor Surplus
  • Petition for Exceptional Circumstance Consideration

For more information, visit DOL’s LSA webpage: https://www.doleta.gov/LSA/eta_default.cfm

 

NEW: EPA Releases Superfund Task Force Report

This month, EPA released the 2019 Superfund task force report and recommendations. Review the report here.

 

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:

NEW:  DOC Declares Commercial Fisheries Disasters in AK, CA, GA, SC, LA, MS, AL

On September 25, 2019, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced his determination that commercial fishery failures occurred for multiple fisheries between 2017 and 2019 in Alaska, California, Georgia, and South Carolina, while further finding that a catastrophic regional fishery disaster occurred for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama due to extreme flooding events in the Gulf of Mexico. These determinations make these fisheries eligible for NOAA fisheries disaster assistance. For fiscal year 2019, Congress appropriated $165 million for fishery disasters. The Department of Commerce is determining the appropriate allocations of these funds to eligible fisheries.

 

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 here.

 

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

EDA Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is making available $587 million for eligible grantees in communities impacted by Presidentially declared natural disasters in 2018, and floods and tornadoes in 2019. The FY19 Disaster Supplemental NOFO (EDA-2019-DISASTER) is available on Grants.gov at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=319126

Note that EDA’s 2018 Supplemental Funding for communities impacted by 2017 Disasters (EDA-2018-DISASTER) is a separate funding opportunity.

 

EDA Supplemental Funding for Areas Impacted by 2017 Disasters.

In early 2018, EDA received supplemental funding to support economic recovery in areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and wildfires and other 2017 natural disasters. This funding opportunity (EDA-2018-DISASTER) is separate from the recently announced Supplemental Funds available for specific 2018/19 Disasters (EDA-2019-DISASTER).

Please contact your EDA regional office for more information about eligibility and availability of Disaster Supplemental funds. See the following links for details:

 

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