FW: CED Matters - Publications, Funding, Events, and Tools

From our colleagues at USDA-Rural Development; great information about financing infrastructure!!

From: RA.RD.DCWA2.RDCED [mailto:RDCED@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, January 08, 2016 2:38 PM
Subject: CED Matters - Publications, Funding, Events, and Tools

 

PUBLICATIONS

Efficient Strategies for Rural Transport Infrastructure

This report by Ernst and Young explains how administrations can make rural projects effective and leverage what public funds they do have available for investment growth through financial innovation, competition, and appropriate private sector engagement.

Rural Financing Best Practices: Unlocking the Development Finance Toolbox in Rural America

The Rural Financing Best Practices by CDFA explores how rural communities can leverage a wide range of tools and approaches to build on their assets, protect their resources, and make strategic investments that offer long-term benefits for residents and local businesses.

 

HUD Publishes CDBG Broadband Infrastructure FAQs

HUD has published Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program and State CDBG Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding broadband infrastructure.

HUD continues its efforts to narrow the digital divide in low-income communities served by HUD by providing, where feasible and with HUD funding, broadband infrastructure to communities in need of such infrastructure. Broadband is the common term used to refer to a very fast connection to the Internet. Such connections are also referred to as high-speed. Although HUD plans to issue regulations that will formalize its steps for narrowing the digital divide, current CDBG funds can be used for broadband installation infrastructure and service delivery.

 

One in five rural counties had child poverty rates over 33 percent

Child poverty rates varied considerably across nonmetropolitan (rural) counties according to 2009-13 county averages (data on poverty for all U.S. counties are available from the American Community Survey only for 5-year averages). According to the official poverty measure, one in five rural counties had child poverty rates over 33 percent. Child poverty has increased since the 2000 Census (which measured poverty in 1999) and the number of rural counties with child poverty rates of over 33 percent has more than doubled. Improving young adult education levels tended to lower child poverty rates over the period, but increases in single-parent households and economic recession were associated with rising child poverty. Metropolitan counties had average child poverty rates of 21 percent in 2009-13. This map appears in the July 2015 Amber Waves feature, Understanding the Geography of Growth in Rural Child Poverty.

 

Midsize and large-scale family farms dominate the production of dairy, cotton, and cash grains/soybeans

In 2014, 99 percent of U.S. farms were family farms, where the principal operator and his or her relatives owned the majority of the business. Most of U.S. farm production—68 percent—occurred on the 9 percent of farms classified as midsize or large-scale family farms having at least $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income (GCFI). Those farms together accounted for most production of dairy (87 percent of production), cotton (81 percent), and cash grains/soybeans (76 percent). Large-scale family farms alone (those with annual GCFI of $1 million or more) produced 73 percent of dairy output in 2014. Although small family farms (with less than $350,000 annual GCFI) accounted for 90 percent of U.S. farms, they contributed just 22 percent to U.S. farm production. Among some commodity specializations, though, small family farms account for a much higher share of production, accounting for over half of poultry output (mostly under production contracts) and hay. Non-family farms accounted for 10.4 percent of all production, but were most prominent in high-value crops and beef (through operating feedlots). This chart is found in America’s Diverse Family Farms: 2015 Edition, released in December 2015.

 

SSTI Examines Details of the FY16 Spending Omnibus and Tax Legislation

As recently reported in the SSTI Digest, Congressional leaders were able to reach an agreement on federal spending that averted a government shutdown. The FY16 omnibus appropriations legislation and an accompanying bill related to tax provisions were signed by President Obama on December 18. After several years of sequestration spending caps and mostly flat funding for TBED-related programs, the new agreement will bolster funding for many science and economic development initiatives, as well as extend a number of tax credits for small and high-tech businesses. In this article, SSTI takes a closer look at the changes for research and entrepreneurship funding delivered by the deal. Read more here.

 

HUD Publishes Notice CPD-15-11: Requirements for the Development and Implementation of HOME Underwriting and Subsidy Layering Guidelines

Notice CPD-15-11 provides guidance to HOME participating jurisdictions (PJs) in the development and implementation of written subsidy layering and underwriting guidelines in accordance with the HOME regulations at 24 CFR Part 92. A PJ is required to develop and use such guidelines to evaluate and ensure that the level of HOME investment does not exceed the amount that is necessary to provide quality affordable housing that is financially viable. View Notice CPD-15-11: Requirements for the Development and Implementation of HOME Underwriting and Subsidy Layering Guidelines.

 

FUNDING

CDFI Fund Opens Application Period for FY 2016 CDFI Bond Guarantee Program

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has opened the fiscal year (FY) 2016 application period for the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. Application materials are available on the CDFI Fund’s website in anticipation of the publication of the Notice of Guarantee Authority (NOGA) in the Federal Register later this week. The NOGA makes up to $750 million in bond guarantee authority available to eligible Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in FY 2016. Please reference the NOGA and application instructions for detailed information regarding the following application deadlines for consideration for FY 2016 bond guarantee authority.

·        CDFI Certification Applications must be submitted through AMIS by 11:59 p.m. EDT on February 12, 2016.

·        Qualified Issuer Applications must be submitted through AMIS by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 4, 2016.

·        Guarantee Applications must be submitted through AMIS by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 18, 2016.

·        The last day the CDFI Fund will accept questions regarding the FY 2016 application period for the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program is March 9, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. All questions must be submitted electronically to the program office: bgp@cdfi.treas.gov.

 

The FY 2016 Organic Transitions (ORG) Request for Applications (RFA) is now available for public viewing

NIFA Funding Opportunity Page:  http://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/organic-transitions-org.

Grants.gov Page: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280858.  

This page includes a synopsis of the funding opportunity, a link to the full announcement (RFA) and the application package.

 

Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Planning Funds Program
Grants for pediatricians to develop community-based child health projects related to medical home access, immunization services, and specific health services not otherwise available.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jan 29, 2016
Sponsor: American Academy of Pediatrics

Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Resident Funds Program
Grants to support pediatric residents in the planning of community-based child health initiatives that increase children’s access to medical homes, immunization services, and specific health services not otherwise available. Funding is also available for projects that focus on overweight and obesity, nutrition, or physical activity.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jan 29, 2016
Sponsor: American Academy of Pediatrics

Lessons in Infection Control Initiative (LINC)
Awards funding to local health departments to improve healthcare and community infection control and improve capacity for responding to infectious diseases.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 5, 2016
Sponsor: National Association of County and City Health Officials

Accountable Health Communities Model
Grant objective is to test whether screening beneficiaries for health-related social needs and associated referrals to and navigation of community-based services will improve quality and affordability in Medicare and Medicaid.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Letter of Intent (Required): Feb 8, 2016
Application Deadline: Mar 31, 2016
Sponsor: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Lowe's Toolbox for Education Program
Provides grants for school improvement projects, including school gardens, physical fitness areas, and walking trails.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 12, 2016
Sponsor: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation

Connections for Cardiovascular Health
Provides grants to nonprofit organizations working to improve cardiovascular health at the community level.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 25, 2016
Sponsor: AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation

Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program (SHCPQI)
The purpose of this program is to provide support to rural primary care providers for planning and implementation of quality improvement activities.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Mar 4, 2016
Sponsor: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Children's Initiative
Funding for new programs designed to create and promote stability and resiliency for children who have witnessed domestic violence.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Letter of Intent (Required): Apr 1, 2016
Application Deadline: Aug 1, 2016
Sponsor: Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation

 

EVENTS

NADO Webinar on USDA’s Strategic Economic Community Development Program and How Rural Communities Can Apply

On January 12 from 2 – 3 p.m. ET, the National Association of Development Organizations in partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) will host an informational webinar on USDA’s new Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) program. Established under the 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79), the SECD program allows USDA-RD to reserve up to 10 percent of funding appropriated to specific programs until June 30 of each fiscal year to fund projects that support the implementation of strategic economic and community development plans across multi-jurisdictional areas.  The four Rural Development programs included under the program are: Community Facilities, Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Business Development Grants, and Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans.  The SECD program went into effect this past June and funds will be accessible during fiscal year (FY) 2016. This timely webinar will provide an overview of the SECD program, how to apply for funding, and will conclude with an in-depth question and answer session.  This webinar is free of charge and a recording will be made available to registrants afterward.  Click here to register.  For additional questions, please contact Ted Stiger at tstiger@nado.org or 202.624.8467.

 

Steps to Starting a Cooperative:  Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Are you interested in helping organize cooperatives?  Not sure how to get started?  Looking for a guide on what to do and in what order?  Join Margaret Bau, Cooperative Development Specialist with the USDA Rural Development, to learn the steps to organizing a co-op.  We will examine the steps from the perspective of a start-up co-op business initiated by a community group.  Next we will discuss how the organizing process differs for a co-op incubated by a sponsoring organization.  Finally we will outline the steps of converting an existing business to cooperative ownership.  This free USDA webinar is presented in partnership with Cooperation Works, the national association of co-op development centers and professionals.  The intended audience includes newly hired staff of co-op development centers and those engaged in community economic development.

Where:  https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=t4fs0gilj8tf

When:   Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Time: 2:00pm – 3:30 pm EST

If using a phone: Dial: (303) 248-0285; conference ID:  20240324

If possible, please use your computer’s audio and “chat” feature instead of phone lines.

 

USDA Offers Workshops on How to Use Energy Grants

The USDA Rural Development scheduled various energy workshops to help farmers and rural small business owners learn about using the Rural Energy for America Program grant to reduce energy costs. There are four workshops scheduled in 2016, starting on January 19.

 

Newsletters and email from which we gather this information include:

v  Foundation Center RFP Service -  To subscribe visit: http://foundationcenter.org/newsletters/

v  To subscribe to the RAC Health Listserv - click here to go to the subscription form.

v  Electronic newsletter of the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, Rural Entrepreneurship News. To subscribe, http://team.energizingentrepreneurs.org/news2/public_html/lists/?p=subscribe  

v  Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City newsletter: http://www.kansascityfed.org/alert/’

v  Blue Avocado Nonprofit Magazine - They have a newsletter on boards and nonprofit management, down-to-earth and useful.  http://www.blueavocado.org/

v  Rural LISC e-newsletter - http://www.lisc.org/rural

v  National Association for Development Organizations (NADO) – www.nado.org

v  ERS - A notification service is provided by USDA's Economic Research Service for Charts of Note and other research to keep you informed of the latest and most relevant research on the topics that interest you. You can subscribe at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Updates/

v  Orton Family Foundation – email sign-up - http://www.orton.org/sign_up