Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related Info for the Week of August 28, 2017

Selected Federal Agency Announcements and Related Info for the Week of August 28, 2017

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.

Contents

Funding & Resource Announcements 2

Funding Available: 2

HUD Announces Funds Available for Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants – Applications due Nov 22. 2

FTA Announces Funding Opportunity for Ferry Service Support and Rehabilitation; Applications due Oct 23 3

NSF Announces Funding Opportunity to Create a NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub –Proposal due Nov 27. 3

Reminder: FY 2017 Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program Applications Accepted Aug 14 through November 14, 2017. 4

Recently Announced Awards Made: 4

DOC Announces Second Year funding for 11 TAACs 4

Energy Department Awards Grants Focused on Energy Efficient Mobility Systems 5

Public Meetings, Events and Training 5

Webinar on Manufacturing in Rural America Features Businesses in St. Cloud MN, Sandpoint ID, and Western NC – September 8 @ 11:30 ET 5

Webinar on Innovations and Successes of Apprenticeships – September 12 @1pm ET 6

More Upcoming Economic Development Conferences 6

· NADO Annual Training Conference (September 9-12) Anchorage, AK 6

· SSTI Annual Conference (September 13 - 15),Washington, DC 6

· UEDA Annual Summit (October 1 – 4), Long Beach, CA 6

Reports, Tools and Data 6

Regional Planning Resources: NADO’s CEDS Resource and Training Archive 6

MEP Blog Features 8 Benefits to Hiring Veterans for Manufacturing Jobs 7

EPA’s Updated EJSCREEN Provides Access to New Datasets and Mapping Tools 7

For more information, visit the on-request technical assistance descriptionResults from the BLS Longitudinal Survey: Number of Jobs Held, Labor Market Activity, and Earnings Growth among the Youngest Baby Boomers 8

Report Offers New Analysis of Digital Workforce in Manufacturing 8

Also of Interest 9

DOE offers No-Cost Technical Assistance for Tribal Energy Projects 9

HUD Announces Disaster Assistance to West Virginia Counties Impacted by Storms 9

Funding & Resource Announcements

Funding Available:

HUD Announces Funds Available for Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants – Applications due Nov 22.

Implementation Grants NOFA

Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants support those communities that have undergone a comprehensive local planning process and are ready to implement their plan to redevelop the distressed public and/or assisted housing and neighborhood. The FY2017 NOFA was issued on August 24, 2017. The NOFA announced approximately $132 million available for awards. The Lead Applicant must be a Public Housing Agency (PHA), a local government, or a tribal entity. If there is also a Co-Applicant, it must be a PHA, a local government, a tribal entity, or the owner of the target HUD-assisted housing (e.g. a nonprofit or for-profit developer). The local government of jurisdiction, or tribe for applications that target Indian Housing, must be the Lead Applicant or Co-Applicant. Applications must present a plan to revitalize a severely distressed public and/or HUD-assisted multifamily housing project located in a distressed neighborhood into a viable, mixed-income community. Applications are due on November 22, 2017.

·  FY17 Implementation Grants NOFA
*Note: The full application package must be downloaded through www.Grants.gov. The CFDA number is 14.889.

Also Available:

Planning Grants NOFA

Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans which focus on directing resources to address three core goals: Housing, People and Neighborhood. To achieve these core goals, communities must develop and implement a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy, or Transformation Plan. The Transformation Plan will become the guiding document for the revitalization of the public and/or assisted housing units while simultaneously directing the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and positive outcomes for families. The Planning Grants NOFA was posted to Grants.gov on June 28, 2017 and announces up to $5 million for Planning Grant awards. Applications are due August 28, 2017.

·  FY17 Planning Grants NOFA
*Note: The full application package must be downloaded through www.Grants.gov. The CFDA number is 14.892.

Mapping Tool

HUD established a mapping tool for the purposes of establishing neighborhood eligibility and to assign points for certain rating factors. This mapping tool will overlay the locally defined neighborhood boundaries with data associated with that area and estimate the rates of certain indicators in that neighborhood using a proportional allocation methodology. Click here for the mapping tool.

FTA Announces Funding Opportunity for Ferry Service Support and Rehabilitation; Applications due Oct 23

The Federal Transit Administration today announced the availability of $30 million under the FY 2017 Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program. Funds will be awarded competitively to designated recipients or eligible direct recipients of Section 5307 funds to assist in the financing of capital projects to support existing passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service, and to repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment.

Eligible projects are capital projects for the purchase, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries, terminals, related infrastructure, related equipment (including fare equipment and communication devices) and expansion. Projects are required to support a passenger ferry service that operates within an urbanized area, as defined under Federal transit law, but may include services that operate between an urbanized area and non-urbanized areas. Ferry systems that accommodate cars must also accommodate walk-on passengers in order to be eligible for funding.

Recipients are permitted to use up to 0.5 percent of their requested grant award for workforce development activities eligible under 49 U.S.C. 5314(b) and an additional 0.5 percent for costs associated with training at the National Transit Institute.

Applications are due by October 23. FTA full announcement

NSF Announces Funding Opportunity to Create a NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub –Proposal due Nov 27.

Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) is a comprehensive national initiative designed to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations focused on NSF's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in these fields.

The initiative is developing a National Network composed of NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilots, NSF INCLUDES Alliances, NSF-funded broadening participation projects, other relevant NSF-funded projects, scholars engaged in broadening participation research, and other organizations that support the development of talent from all sectors of society to build the STEM workforce.

To facilitate the Network’s operation, NSF announced today it is soliciting proposals for a NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub. NSF has identified $10.5 million for a multi-year award to one recipient. Proposals are due by November 27.

The three critical functions of the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub are summarized below:

·  Communication and Networking. From the beginning the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should direct efforts toward building the Network infrastructure by facilitating continuous communication and information updates, designing community activities, and fostering collaboration across all elements of the Network.

·  Network Assistance and Reinforcement. As NSF INCLUDES Alliances and other organizations join the NSF INCLUDES National Network, the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should focus attention on assistance and reinforcement activities including technical assistance, conducting research, and facilitating shared measurement and data analysis across the Network.

·  Visibility and Expansion: The NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should provide resources for efforts to focus on expansion and sustainability within the National Network, increase NSF INCLUDES visibility and communicate impact, while also serving as a repository for funding opportunities, research and knowledge generated by the NSF INCLUDES National Network and stakeholders.

The solicitation will be available here.

Reminder: FY 2017 Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program Applications Accepted Aug 14 through November 14, 2017.

As we head into the heard of disaster season, please be reminded of this previously announced opportunity -As appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31); the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program provides resources to assist states, tribal governments, territories and local communities in their efforts to implement a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5133).

FEMA announced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 application cycle on July 11, 2017. The application period is August14 through November 14, 2017. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is posted on www.Grants.gov. The FY 2017 PDM Fact Sheet provides an overview of the agency's priorities for this year. FEMA will offer NOFO webinars for potential applicants prior to opening the application period.

Federal funding is available for up to 75 percent of the eligible activity costs. Small, impoverished communities may be eligible for up to a 90 percent Federal cost share in accordance with the Stafford Act. The remaining eligible activity costs must be derived from non-Federal sources.

Recently Announced Awards Made:

DOC Announces Second Year funding for 11 TAACs

August 22 – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced $13.3 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to support 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington that help manufacturers affected by imports adjust to increasing global competition and create jobs.

EDA’s Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms program funds 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers across the nation. The centers support a wide range of technical, planning, and business recovery projects that help companies and the communities that depend on them adapt to international competition and diversify their economies. The grants announced today are for the second year of a funding cycle running from 2016 to 2021. Additional information on the program is available at www.taacenters.org.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Energy Department Awards Grants Focused on Energy Efficient Mobility Systems

On August 22, the Energy Department announced $13.4 million in support of five new cost-shared, community-based projects focused on energy efficient mobility systems including connected and autonomous vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure including natural gas, propane, biofuels, hydrogen, and electricity.

This Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) funding is an investment in highly-innovative, highly-leveraged, and scalable projects that will provide real-world experience and generate knowledge and lessons learned to help improve our nation's energy security, support energy independence, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness.

To learn more about the Department's work with industry, academia, and community partners on advanced vehicle technologies, please visit theVehicle Technologies Office website.

Public Meetings, Events and Training

Webinar on Manufacturing in Rural America Features Businesses in St. Cloud MN, Sandpoint ID, and Western NC – September 8 @ 11:30 ET

America’s Rural Opportunity is a six-part series, co-sponsored by the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group and the Rural Development Innovation Group, that invites policymakers, economic and community development practitioners, and business and philanthropic leaders to engage in dialogue around advancing a rural opportunity agenda. ARO’s September panel will highlight how several rural-grown and local-owned businesses and networks are making manufacturing work in rural America.

America’s Rural Opportunity

September 8, 11:30-1:30 ET
The Aspen Institute
Washington, DC

Deb Markley (Moderator)
Senior Vice President, LOCUS Impact Investing
Co-Director, Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, Virginia

·  Brad Goskowicz – CEO, Microbiologics
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Dana Jordan – President and CEO, Cascade Rescue Company
Sandpoint, Idaho

·  Molly Hemstreet – Founder & General Manager, Opportunity Threads
Tanya Wade – Intake Administrator and Project Specialist, Carolina Textile District
Western North Carolina – and surrounding states

·  John Molinaro – President and CEO
Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth

Register here to watch: https://aspeninstitute.formstack.com/forms/manufacturing

Learn more about the series and watch videos from previous events.

Webinar on Innovations and Successes of Apprenticeships – September 12 @1pm ET

Jobs for the Future (JFF) has highlighted this upcoming public event.

·  Video Conversation on September 12, 2017, 1pm – use WebEx totune in

In recognition of the 80th anniversary of the National Apprenticeship (Fitzgerald) Act, JFF’sCenter for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning hosts a conversation to explore the rich history of apprenticeships in the United States, highlight successes of key leaders and programs, focus on recent innovations, and look toward apprenticeships of the future. Viewers and speakers will be representing U.S. Department of Labor grantees, leaders from organized labor, employers, community college staff, and a range of other stakeholders.

More Upcoming Economic Development Conferences

·  NADO Annual Training Conference (September 9-12) Anchorage, AK

·  SSTI Annual Conference (September 13 - 15),Washington, DC

·  UEDA Annual Summit (October 1 – 4), Long Beach, CA

Reports, Tools and Data

Regional Planning Resources: NADO’s CEDS Resource and Training Archive

With the support of theUS Economic Development Administration (EDA), theNADO Research Foundation (NADO RF)has launched“Stronger CEDS, Stronger Regions.”This program will enhance and expand current NADO RF resources available on theComprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), provide customized trainings and technical assistance to Economic Development Districts (EDDs) and other regional partners, and amplify EDA’s message about the tremendous value and potential of the CEDS to support broader regional economic and community development goals. Through this program, NADO RF will continue to assist EDDs as they undertake regionally-owned planning processes to craft impactful, technically-sound strategies guiding economic development that will also position them to serve as leaders at the forefront of regional and national resilience efforts.

For years, NADO RF has provided training, resources, and tools for EDDs and other regional entities to provide a solid foundation for planning, developing, and implementing their CEDS. Some of the most popular and well-received of these resources are now archived on this page for easy access and reference. As more materials are developed through Stronger CEDS, Stronger Regions, stay tuned towww.nado.organd ourFacebookandTwitterpages for the latest on CEDS development, resilience planning, and new approaches for getting the most out your CEDS to make it a true, inclusive driver of regional economic development.