From our colleagues at USDA-Rural Development.
From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 2:51 PM
Subject: Publications, Tools, Learning, Funding
Please note that there will be no email blast next Friday.
PUBLICATIONS
Community Vitality and Rural Healthcare Topic Guide - this new guide, developed by RAC Information Specialist Kathleen Spencer focuses on the linkage between rural healthcare and the economic strength and overall vitality of the community. Thank you to Gerald Doeksen, Cheryl St. Clair, and Fred Eilrich, National Center for Rural Health Works; David Schmitz, Family Medicine Residency, Idaho State University Department of Family Medicine; and Jo Anne Preston, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative for their assistance in developing this guide.
Fact Sheet: Increasing Investment in Rural America
Jul 24, 2014 -- This week, the White House Rural Council will host the inaugural Rural Opportunity Investment Conference (ROI) to promote potential investment opportunities that exist throughout rural America. In conjunction with this event, the White House Rural Council is announcing a $10 billion dollar investment fund to promote rural economic development. This fund will continue to grow the rural economy by increasing access to capital for rural infrastructure projects. Target investments of this fund will include rural community facilities with an emphasis on healthcare and educational facilities. Source: Office of the Press Secretary
Persistent Poverty Dynamics: Understanding Poverty Trends Over 50 Years
Reports on high-poverty counties, with a poverty rate of 20% or more, based on data from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey, compared to 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 Census data. Includes comparison of rural (micropolitan and noncore) counties and metropolitan counties. Identifies counties with persistent and intermittent high poverty, as well as newly high poverty counties. Organization: Rural Policy Research Institute. Date: 07 / 2014
The latest issue of EntreWorks Insights has a great summary of the value of regional data and benchmarking, and provides links to some good examples--useful if you are looking for ways to tell your economic development story.
Promoting Educational Attainment at the Local Level - Much of the wage growth in the United States over the last several decades has gone to the most productive (and highly educated) workers. A Partners Update article looks at the implications for community and economic developers.
10 Greatest Hits from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (#WIOA) – a quick round-up or count down of the Workforce Act just passed and signed by the President. And here is a link to the press release - http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3556.
FCC Releases Broadband Report, Interactive Tool
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released its latest broadband report. The report provides summarized data on Internet access connections in the U.S. (over 200 kilobits per second in at least one direction). The FCC also released a web-based tool that allows users to interact with the broadband data by changing geography, managing metrics, and ranking their state/region on select broadband characteristics. Read more...
Vermont Community Tries Pop Up "Third Places"
Essex, Vermont discovered that the community really wanted a downtown coffee shop—a "third place"—where people could meet, work, or hang out. Rather than wait for one, they created pop up coffee shops, temporary spaces around town where people could meet and get to know their local businesses too, creating a win-win for the community.
TOOLS
Free tool for collegial online video-based conversations - This article discussed the use of Google hangouts as a free tool for online discussions. This might be a useful tool for conducting working group meetings or other group conversations normally done via conference call. If you’d like to explore setting up a demo of this, contact Karen for more... Read More »
SBA: SPECIAL EDITION | SBA: Helping Underserved Entrepreneurs Succeed - Special Edition bulletin full of resources to support underserved entrepreneurs (women, minorities, Native Americans, veterans, 50+ and disabled individuals).
FedCommunities.org is a web portal to community development resources from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Fed's Board of Governors, including research, data analyses, multimedia tools, publications/reports and news of events and programs.
LEARNING
WEBINAR: Policy Link will offer a webinar, “Growing and Funding Equitable Food Hubs: A Strategy for Improving Access to Healthy Food”, on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 2:00 PM ET. Food hubs have gained momentum as an innovative retail strategy to expand healthy food access in low-income communities by creating direct linkages between food growers and producers and consumers. Click here for details and to register.
Webinar: Planning Your Web Re-design, Thursday, August 28, 2014, 2 to 3 p.m. EDT Register Today! Thru National Cooperative Business Association. If you're considering a website redesign, you're in good company. It can be a daunting process, but creative service agency MindActive is ready to walk you through the top trends and best practices. Led by MindActive's Phillip Hamilton and Byron Sletten, the webinar "Latest Trends for Planning a Re-design" will unpack the plannning process.
RECORDED Webinar and Slides Available for Rural-Urban Connections Webinar
On July 24, the NADO Research Foundation hosted the webinar, “Strengthening Rural-Urban Connections to Support Competitive Regions.” From economic and workforce development to transportation to tourism to energy to food systems and beyond, it is becoming clear that an effective framework for understand urban and rural is through a prism of interdependence and linkages, rather than division and isolation. Presenters discussed strategies to improve rural-urban linkages and promoting regional efforts that benefit both urban and rural communities. The presenters were: Brian Dabson, Associate Dean and Research Professor, Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs and Director of the Institute of Public Policy at the University of Missouri; Paula Downs, Project Director, South Central Kansas Prosperity Plan (Wichita, KS); and Chad Coburn, Manager, Prosperous Places Program, Capital Area Council of Government (Austin, TX). Click here to watch a recording of the webinar and to download the presentation slides. The webinar was supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Questions? E-mail Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@nado.org.
FUNDING
TOYOTA AND AUDUBON are offering grants to nonprofits through the Toyota TogetherGreen Innovation Grants program. Grants of $5,000 to $80,000 are available to support creative and ambitious projects that engage diverse communities and find innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Deadline: 8/15/2014. Click here to review program guidelines.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide grants for the provision of a Service Coordinator to coordinate supportive services and other activities designed to help public and Indian housing residents attain economic and housing self-sufficiency. Deadline: 8/18/2014. Click here for program guidelines and an application.
HUD is offering grants through the HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program to support small communities to assist in the renovation of an historic or traditional central business district or “Main Street” area by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. The application deadline is 8/18/2014. Click here for program guidelines.
Delta Regional Authority that a NOFA has been posted on the DRA website. Counties and states are encouraged to apply for the available funds in “conjunction with economic development partners such as state and local chambers of commerce, planning and development districts, 2 and 4 year colleges/universities, and workforce development boards. Priority will be given to applicants who have garnered the support and commitments from a network of partners who will engage in a region-wide approach.” DRA states include 252 counties and parishes in Alabama | Arkansas | Illinois | Kentucky | Louisiana | Mississippi | Missouri | Tennessee. DRA will provide approximately 30 communities, with up to $50,000 per application, in subawards, for the purposes of direct technical support and assistance. Selected communities will be able to assess the skill levels and plan for increased readiness by the use of technical assistance providers, much like ACT Workready Program (http://workreadycommunities.org) and Jobs for the Future (http://www.jff.org).
Timeframe for Application Submission
Round 1 will open July 23, 2014 and will close October 2.
Round 2 will open August 25, 2014 and close November 4, 2014.
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program: USDA Announces Funding Opportunity - The USDA has announced a $9.1 million funding opportunity under the “Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program.” Click here for the full notice. Applications are due by August 25.
Bush Foundation Accepting Applications for Native Nation Rebuilders Program - DEADLINE: August 28, 2014
The program will provide emerging and existing Native leaders in the Upper Midwest region served by the foundation with access to ideas and information, peer networks, leadership training, and other resources....
TD Charitable Foundation Invites Applications for 2014 Housing for Everyone Grants - DEADLINE: August 29, 2014
Grants of $100,000 will be awarded in support of neighborhood revitalization and stabilization efforts in communities throughout TD Bank's corporate footprint....
Department of Education Announces Funding Opportunity to (1) Support Transition Employment for Youth and Young Adults with Mental Health Conditions, (2) Community Living and Participation
Click here for the funding announcement. Eligible applicants are States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Applications are due by August 29. Click here for the corresponding statement of funding priorities.
Inaugural Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge Launched, American Farm Bureau Federation and Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business Partner on Challenge
Washington, D.C. – The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) together with Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) and the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative’s StartupHoyas today announced the Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. The first-of-its-kind challenge provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations being cultivated in rural regions of the United States. The Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge is a key component of the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative, a joint effort between AFBF and Georgetown McDonough.
The inaugural challenge is accepting applications through September 15, 2014. Ten semi-finalists will be announced at the National Summit on Rural Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business on Tuesday, October 14. The summit is sponsored jointly by AFBF, GSEI, and the White House Rural Council.
“Through the challenge, we will identify rural entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and help them remove any barriers standing between them and a viable, emerging business,” said Lisa Benson, AFBF’s director of rural development. “Winners will get initial capital, as well as mentoring to take them from innovative concept, to strategy, to reality. Farm Bureau recognizes that great business ideas can germinate anywhere, and we’re excited to see what our members will bring to the table.”
Challenge finalists will pitch their business ideas to a team of judges at the AFBF 96th Annual Convention, to be held in January in San Diego, Calif. Participants, who must be based in a rural county, will compete for the Rural Entrepreneur of the Year Award and prize money of up to $30,000 to implement their ideas. To learn more about the challenge and submit an online application, visit http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge. There will also be a series of webinars.
Rural Health Fellows ProgramA year-long, intensive program designed to develop a community of rural health leaders. Application deadline: Aug. 31, 2014. http://tinyurl.com/kvfg9w7
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians With Disabilities - Application deadline: Sep 2, 2014. Grants to provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities who reside on or near federal or state reservations. Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education
Self Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) - Application deadline: Sep 4, 2014
Funding to be used to facilitate and encourage innovative homeownership opportunities. Sponsor: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for USArtists International Grant Program - DEADLINE: September 5, 2014
Grants of up to $15,000 are available to American dance, music, and theater ensembles that have been invited to perform at international festivals anywhere outside the United States....
Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation Seeks Applications for Environmental Studies Grants - DEADLINE: September 14, 2014 (Pre-proposals)
Grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded in support of curricula that empower and encourage students to become involved in solving environmental and social problems....
THE SEVENTH GENERATION FUND FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES is offering grants in the following program areas: Arts and Cultural Expression, Environmental Health and Justice, Human Rights, Sustainable Communities, Intergenerational Leadership, and Women’s Leadership. Grants from $600 to $5,000 are provided to Native communities that address one or more of the Fund’s program areas. Deadline; 9/15/2014. Application guidelines and forms are available on the Fund’s website here.
Wrigley Company Foundation Community Service Grant - Application deadline: Oct 1, 2014
Provides funding to dental hygienists for projects aimed at improving oral health or providing oral health education. Sponsor: American Dental Hygienists' Association
American Indian/Alaska Native Early Head Start (EHS) Expansion and EHS-Child Care Partnerships - Application deadline: Oct 6, 2014
Offers funding to expand Early Head Start programs for American Indian/Alaska Native populations or to create partnerships with local child care providers within a community, leveraging existing local resources to provide a comprehensive array of health, mental health, nutrition, and social services to infants, toddlers, and their families. Sponsor: Administration for Children and Families
Early Head Start (EHS) and Migrant and Seasonal EHS-Child Care Partnership Grants - Application deadline: Oct 6, 2014
Offers funding to expand Early Head Start programs for migrant and seasonal populations or to create partnerships with local child care providers within a community, leveraging existing local resources to provide a comprehensive array of health, mental health, nutrition, and social services to infants, toddlers, and their families. Sponsor: Administration for Children and Families
USDA has announced that approximately $13 million in Farm Bill funding is now available for organic certification cost-share assistance, making certification more accessible for small certified producers and handlers. The certification assistance is distributed through two programs within the Agricultural Marketing Service. Through the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, $11.5 million is available to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. Territories. Through the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, an additional $1.5 million is available to organic operations in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. For more information, click here.
New Details Announced on $1 Billion National Disaster Resilience Competition
In conjunction with a meeting of the State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, President Obama has announced new strategies to help communities deal with the impacts of climate change. Among those resources is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Disaster Resilience Competition, which will make $1 billion available to communities that have been struck by natural disasters in recent years. The competition will promote risk assessment and planning and will fund the implementation of innovative resilience projects to prepare communities for future storms and other extreme events.
There are 67 eligible applicants for the National Disaster Resilience Competition, including all states with counties that experienced presidentially-declared major disasters in 2011, 2012, or 2013 (48 of 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, DC) and 17 local governments that received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster recovery funding under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 (PL 113-2). Click here for a list of eligible applicants. All successful applicants will need to demonstrate that their proposals address unmet needs from the eligible disasters that affected them and also prepare the community to address future vulnerabilities and risks.
The competition will be structured in two phases: (1) risk assessment and planning; and (2) design and implementation. In Phase 1, funding and technical assistance will help communities develop innovative, data-driven approaches to recover from recent disasters and increase resilience to future threats. A subset of these communities will be invited to continue in Phase 2 and design solutions for recovery and future resilience. The best proposals will receive implementation funding and serve as models for other communities across the country.
Click here for HUD’s fact sheet on the National Disaster Resilience Competition. Application requirements will be published in a forthcoming Notice of Funding Availability. Click here for information on the other resilience-related announcements the President made recently.
Suzette M. Agans
Community and Economic Development
Rural Development | U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W. | Washington, D.C. 20250-3253
Phone: 202.401.1922 | Fax 202.401.7311
www.rurdev.usda.gov
"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"
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