Author: US DOE  SETO Staff           Published:  1.19.22                SETO

Author: NABS Staff            published: 12/15/21      NABS

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Dr6GdEFbZX7BaN4ZytA1N9qO7JhG4d_XcTK3bz7WRX-Le9eDfIDXiAyOUJihRJfC.9KKvHPjHdyD_L1BP

National Association of Blacks in Solar

Webinar

Building A National Team to Apply

For

 US EDA FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

           Good Jobs Challenge

    Build Back Better Regional Challenge

      Economic Adjustment Assistance

       Statewide Planning, Research and Networks

                                                                 Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Agenda

Timeline 1HR and 30 minutes.

1. Ronald Bethea President of NABS and Positive Change Purchasing Cooperative LLC. …….. 10 minutes Introduction and Purpose.
2. Will Shirley President of Sundail Solar and VP of NABS…… 10 minutes explaining how this collaboration can work
3. Mark Davis owner of WDC Solar.…… 10 minutes Solar for All Program, DC and WDC Solar Virtual Workforce Development Program.
4. Cherie Brooks owner Power 52 ……. 10 minutes Solar Workforce Development.
5. Christ White founder of Global Appren ticeship …….10 minutes Funding Workforce Development.
6. Marvin Perry Ph D. Consulting Team ……10 minutes explaining Junior College connection.
7. Wes US Business Funding Solutions ……..10 minutes
8. 15 minutes Q and A.

Do you plan to apply for the Good Jobs Challenge? Submit Your Intent

U.S. Economic Development Administration sent this bulletin at 12/20/2021 04:14 PM EST

View as a webpage DECEMBER 20, 2021 Good Jobs Challenge Intent to Apply  EDA strongly encourages potential applicants to notify us of the applicant’s intent to submit an application by January 5, 2022, via an email to GoodJobsChallenge@eda.gov.  Submit Intent to Apply for the Good Jobs Challenge by January 5, 2022.     Submit Intent to Apply Submitting your intent to apply helps us know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply for funding under this competition. This allows us to develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant applications.  The intent to apply email should include the applicant’s name and a contact person with contact information. Submission of intent to apply is voluntary – it will have no impact on an applicant’s consideration. There are no consequences if an applicant submits an intent to apply email, but does not actually apply for the grant.    To assist with Good Jobs Challenge proposals, EDA has multiple resources available online.  View a recording of our recent expert panel at EDA.gov.   Additional resources, including FAQs, additional webinars, and fact sheets can be found at eda.gov/arpa/good-jobs-challenge.    If you have further questions, please email GoodJobsChallenge@eda.gov.

The Good Jobs Challenge allocates $500 million toward industry-led workforce training programs to help get Americans – particularly women, people of color and those in underserved communities – back to work in good-paying jobs. Applications are due January 26, 2022. Get your applications in today! Assistant Secretary Castillo now has her own Twitter account! Follow her @AsstSecCastillo.

Author: Our Energy Policy Staff      Published: 1/18/22        OEP

Watch our most recent webinar on critical minerals! It featured Sharon Burke (Ecospherics), Morgan Bazilian (Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines), Melanie Kenderdine (Energy Futures Initiative), and Aaron Thiele (Office of Senator Lisa

Author: African Green Revolution Staff        Published:  9/27/21        AGR

There are several up-and-coming renewable energy organizations, we have listed 5 great start-ups.  Africa has an enormous amount of energy power potential.  And Africa has the potential to produce tons of renewable energy, however, two out of three Africans lack access to electricity — that’s 621 million people. Brighter Africa also reported that the sub-Saharan Africa area has 13% of the world’s total population and 48% of those without electricity.

Sub-Saharan Africa is currently in an energy crisis. However, technologists and entrepreneurs from Africa are finding solutions to their energy problems. It could lead to a 27 percent reduction in carbon emissions if sub-Saharan Africa promotes renewables.  Bloomberg recognized Africa as a leader in renewable energy.

Five Startups That Help Africa Power Its Energy:

1. M-Kopa Solar

M-Kopa capitalized on Africa’s popularity for mobile phones to start a pay-as-you-go solar revolution. Customers can replace their kerosene lamps with solar lamps and radio/phone charging stations via SMS messaging using mobile money networks in a few months.

The founders of M-Pesa in Kenya, a popular mobile money system that has been a model for others, founded the company. This company provides customers with solar lamps that can also recharge their mobile phone or radio.

M-Kopa customers love the service because it is affordable and simple to use. M-Kopa’s customers also like that it is easy to pay for. M-Pesa is a Kenyan mobile money service that is highly regarded.

2. Quaint Global Energy Solutions

Quaint Global, based in Nigeria, is developing 50 megawatts of renewable energy to provide electricity to Kaduna State. The company is currently in collaboration with Tetra Tech, an American company.

Access Infra Africa is a company that specializes in developing, owning, and managing power assets. In June 2020, Access Infra Africa signed a joint agreement with Quaint Global Energy Solutions in order to invest $100 million in the ABIBA Solar Project in Nigeria.

This Nigerian company expands renewable power projects and got a US Trade and Development Agency grant as part of Power Africa, a US government initiative. Quaint Global and Tetra Tech (a California-based energy project developer) are working together on a feasibility study to determine the best path forward for the project. This effort will provide 50 megawatts of clean energy for Kaduna State in Nigeria. It could also generate more than $160million.

3. Freedom Won

This startup is focusing on electric vehicles. Their first cars were electric Jeep Grand Cherokees that were used to drive tourists on safaris. They have since developed an energy storage system that can enhance lithium-ion battery performance. Called FreedomCOR, the design is similar to the Tesla Powerwall.

Freedom Won is a cutting-edge energy storage system that significantly increases operational efficiency and service life at a fraction of the cost of other options.

We have Africa’s unique power needs covered with our superior range of LiTE batteries (LiFePO4-Lithium Iron Phosphate). Freedom Won’s Lithium LiTE batteries are the best choice for those who want to make advancements in renewable energy.

The South African company was established in 2011 to develop Africa’s electric vehicle and clean energy solutions. They developed Freedom1, the first prototype of an electric vehicle. Since then, several others have been built, mainly for safari drives and wildlife tourism.

Freedom Won has created a wall-mounted Tesla Powerwall like system, the FreedomCOR. It uses lithium-ion battery storage to store renewable energy. These modular batteries range in size from 5 to 30 kilowatts for residential use or larger for industrial use and are said to last for up to 13 years.

4. African Clean Energy

For some people, the simple act of making a meal can be hazardous. Cooking using dirty fuels or even open pit fires causes accidents that kill four million people every year. African Clean Energy was concerned by this number and created a stovetop that can burn any biomass, consume 70% less energy, and cut costs by half. The ACE 1 Ultra-Clean biomass cookstove can also burn cleanly and is suitable for indoors.

This company estimates that around three billion people cook on open fires and with dangerous, dirty fuels, and accidents resulting from that kill four million people a year. African Clean Energy created the ACE 1 Ultra-Clean Biomass Cookstove to address this problem. It burns biomass cleanly indoors and outdoors. As a result, it cuts fuel consumption by about 70%, saves 50% on costs, and dramatically improves the lives and well-being of children and women who cook the bulk of the food.

The ACE One energy system provides an integrated energy solution to off-grid households in developing countries. It uses both thermal and electrical generation to offer a smokeless, clean cooking experience. In addition, it generates solar-powered electricity that can be used to charge phones and light up the room.

Hardware

The ACE One hybrid solar-biomass energy system is a combination of solar and biomass. It provides thermal and electrical energy for its users while emitting very little smoke, protecting their health.

The ACE One provides electricity access, allowing users to charge their phones or plug in the LED light accessory, which saves them money and makes the ACE One more affordable.

The ACE One’s efficient burning and ability to burn any dry solid biomass fuel (animal residue, crop residue, small sticks) reduces the demand for unsustainably harvested wood fuel and saves our environment.

Digital Infrastructure

The ACE One is being sold now as part of the ACE Connect package, including a second-use Samsung phone with a preinstalled ACE Connect application.

In 2019, we updated the ACE One to include ‘smart’ capabilities, allowing customers to connect it to their smartphones. Remotely, the new ACE One can be turned off remotely, which gives customers greater flexibility in their loan repayments and reducing the loan risk.

Customers can also track their loan repayments using the ACE Connect app. In addition, they can also communicate directly with their customer service team via the app.

Physical Infrastructure

A skilled team of maintenance services on the ground is ready to support their customers through any product malfunctions.

Teams of salespeople who travel to communities and demonstrate the ACE One. They can set up loans and contracts on the spot.

Expanding our physical infrastructure of mobile retail shops throughout our markets to give continuous access to clean energy products and services. This project is being co-funded by the European Union.

The ACE team is spread across three continents: the Netherlands, Lesotho, and Uganda, as well as Cambodia.

5. iCoal Concept Ltd

The Kenya Climate Innovation Center of the World Bank launched a mentorship program for crowdfunding for East African entrepreneurs to provide them financial services and mentorship. iCoal Concept Ltd was one of the selected startups which turns charcoal waste into modern energy. The company takes charcoal waste from the community and turns it into charcoal-based briques that are 35% cheaper than regular charcoal.

Kenyan households use 700 tons of charcoal per day. iCoal now handles the market and produces three tons of SmartCharcoal daily for farmers, hotels, and residential communities.

Innovative recycling is the name of this Kenyan company’s game, and it’s safe to say they’re winning right now

iCoal Concept Ltd. transforms the charcoal from the community into briquettes that can be used for powering homes. Recycled briquettes cost 35% less than regular coal. The company’s efforts will help Kenyans improve their quality of life as well as energy efficiency.

iCoal is a market leader in developing climate change solutions that will help achieve Sustainable Development Goals. The following interventions are part of their mission and goals:

This information is intended to motivate individuals and private sector organizations to act on climate change. This information is shared through various platforms, including periodic newsletters and magazines sent to clients, websites, and social networks.

Related Posts

Author: Stacy M. Brown        Published:  1/14/22      WI

President Biden has whiffed in his attempts to persuade holdout Senate Democrats to go around or abolish the filibuster to get voting rights legislation through Congress.

The White House, led by the president, had engaged in a fiery campaign to push bills through that would protect voters against the cavalcade of suppression laws that have passed in Republican-led states in reaction to former President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election.

Any hopes of getting legislation through were quashed when Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) reiterated their refusal to change Senate rules so that the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act could pass.

The two renegade Democrats pre-empted Biden’s visit to the Capitol in embarrassing fashion. Before he arrived, the duo took to the Senate floor to declare they would not support any changes to the filibuster under any circumstances.

Unless the president and other Democrats miraculously find at least two Republicans to vote favorably for changing the rules and cast ballots in favor of voting rights legislation, the push to blunt suppression through lawmakers will have died.

Biden and administration officials had declared to get the bills passed by any means necessary.

“Like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we come back and try it a second time,” Biden offered. “We missed this time.”

In a conciliatory tone, the president described the harm that anti-voting laws may cause.

“And the state legislative bodies continue to change the law not as to who can vote, but who gets to count the vote — count the vote,” Biden asserted.

“It’s about election subversion, not just whether or not people get to vote. Who counts the vote? That’s what this is about. That’s what makes this so different than anything else we’ve ever done.”

He continued:

“I don’t know that we can get it done, but I know one thing: As long as I have a breath in me, as long as I’m in the White House, as long as I’m engaged at all, I’m going to be fighting to change the way these legislatures have moving.”

Author: US DOE Staff       Published: 1/13/22       SETO

Video Url Scheduled for Jan 24, 2022

Author: Lewis Jennings      Published: 1/13/22      NAACP

Lewis Jennings

High energy bills are a persistent monthly burden for everyone, but it weighs especially heavy on disadvantaged communities. Between recent utility rate increases and volatile natural gas prices, the financial drain on already challenged household budgets shows no sign of easing.

To lower costs and take control of their own energy consumption, some members of minority and low- to moderate-income communities have turned to solar power. However, the state’s monopoly utilities are leading an attack on this cost-saving energy option by pushing for unfair changes to the state’s solar net metering policies.

Net metering is a billing system that allows homeowners who have installed solar to send any extra power their panels produce back to the energy grid, in exchange for credits that lower their bills. This fair system benefits both homeowners and utilities by letting homeowners cut down on energy costs and utilities resell the excess power for a profit.

Unfortunately, big utilities are bent on furthering their monopolies and expanding their record-breaking profits even more – all at the expense of consumers. They are pushing the Florida Legislature to essentially do away with net metering and the benefits it brings to homeowners.

They also have a history of using front-line communities and people of color to shield their greedy intentions, going so far as claiming that net metering actually increases these groups’ utility rates.

This simply isn’t the case. Solar homeowners make investments in solar themselves and provide power that adds a net benefit to the energy grid. This reduces costs for everyone, and that’s especially important for disadvantaged customers suffering under skyrocketing energy costs.

Power companies have a history of profiting off low-income and minority communities. They recently pushed for rate increases that will add up to billions of dollars over the next few years, and customers will be socked with the bill. The worst effects will be felt by poor communities, where too many residents already live without consistent access to electricity.

Utilities already left these vulnerable groups in the dark during the COVID-19 pandemic. They shut the lights and air conditioning off on over 500,000 Floridians at the height of the public health and economic crisis. While too many of our neighbors struggled to pay their utility bills, they brought in record earnings in 2020.

Power companies’ attack on home-based solar energy demonstrates their continued insistence that their customers rely on outdated, dangerous sources of energy that put Florida closer to the devastating consequences of climate change. That poses an even greater threat to minorities and disadvantaged communities, as they will experience the first and worst damage from the warming climate.

For the sake of these vulnerable communities, Florida must ensure that important clean energy policies are preserved and advanced. The Legislature should stop this unfair, unwanted attack on net metering and the Florida communities who benefit from it.

Lewis Jennings serves as the Environmental & Climate Justice Chair for the NAACP Florida State Conference.

“The Invading Sea” is the opinion arm of the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a collaborative of news organizations across the state focusing on the threats posed by the warming climate.

Author: Megan Redshaw          Published: 1/13/22               CHD

The U.S. Supreme Court today rejected the Biden administration’s COVID vaccine mandate for large businesses, but ruled separately that a mandate for healthcare workers can move forward.

The U.S. Supreme Court today rejected the Biden administration’s mandate requiring employees of large businesses to be vaccinated against COVID or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask indoors while working.

The court’s conservative majority said the administration overstepped its authority by imposing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees.

At the same time, the court allowed to move forward a separate rule mandating COVID vaccines for workers in healthcare facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid.

The Supreme Court on Jan. 7 heard oral arguments pertaining to both of the Biden administration’s COVID vaccine mandates. The focus of the hearing was whether to stay or to grant temporary injunctions requested by plaintiffs in a number of lawsuits challenging the emergency mandates for millions of Americans.

At the time, the rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), was stayed for 24 states that initiated lawsuits, but the OSHA stay was lifted by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Supreme Court’s decision today reversed the lower court rulings, imposing a stay on the OSHA mandate and allowing the CMS rule to proceed.

Today’s rulings came three days after the OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard went into effect, targeting more than 84 million workers and two-thirds of the nation’s private-sector workforce.

The conservative justices wrote in an unsigned opinion:

“OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID–19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here.”

The conservative majority also expressed concerns over the implications of allowing OSHA to implement a widespread mandate without congressional authorization.

“Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life — simply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clock — would significantly expand OSHA’s regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization,” the opinion stated.

A majority of the Supreme Court’s justices concluded the applicants challenging OSHA’s mandate were likely to succeed in the merits of their claim and the secretary of labor lacked authority to impose the mandate, resulting in a stay while the case works its way through the 6th Circuit Court.

“Administrative agencies are creatures of statute,” the justices wrote. “They accordingly possess only the authority that Congress has provided.”

In a joint dissent of the OSHA ruling, the court’s three liberal justices argued the court was overreaching by substituting its judgment for that of health experts.

“Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies,” Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a joint dissent.

The justices contended OSHA’s mandate is comparable to a fire or sanitation regulation imposed by the agency, while the majority said a vaccine mandate is strikingly unlike the workplace regulations that OSHA has typically imposed as a vaccination “cannot be undone at the end of the workday.”

Author: US DOE Staff              Published: 10/ 8/ 2021        SETO

Author: US DOE Staff       Published: 1/13/22       SETO

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is hosting the second National Community Solar Partnership Annual Summit on January 25th, 2022.

REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT HERE

This year’s summit theme, ‘To 5 Million and Beyond: Community Solar’s Pathway to Success,’ reflects National Community Solar Partnership’s new target goal to power the equivalent of 5 million households with community solar by 2025, realizing $1 billion in energy bill savings for subscribers. Through stakeholder feedback and market analysis, the Partnership has developed a roadmap to address persistent barriers affecting equitable access to community solar across the country.

At the Annual Summit in January 2022, NCSP and DOE leadership will discuss the plan to reach this new goal – what achieving it will mean for the community solar industry, and why, with the support of our growing community, we are confident we can reach it.

Agenda

For regular event updates and access to exclusive National Community Solar Partnership resources and opportunities, register to join the Partnership today. Membership in the National Community Solar Partnership is free and open to any community solar stakeholder located or doing business in the U.S.

If you have any additional questions, please reach out to communitysolar@ee.doe.gov for more information.

Learn more about the National Community Solar Partnership.

Author: Aspen Hill Staff           Published: 1/13/2021          Aspen Institute

The passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides new and expanded opportunities for rural America, and more federal legislation is forthcoming. On this webpage, Aspen CSG is collecting links and resources explaining federal opportunities for rural people and places. We are trying to be as rural-specific as possible with these resources, but some collect rural information alongside urban and suburban-relevant information. The understanding of how this bill will affect rural America is evolving, so check back regularly for more information.

Learn about RPP:  Within the Congressional budget reconciliation package – which is in active negotiation right now – a proposed Rural Partnership Program (RPP) would make flexible funding available across the country to regional and local collaboratives. RPP represents a new approach for how federal resources can support rural America.

Click to Visit the Proposed RPP Info Page

Events | Federal Resources | Tools | News and Analysis

Timely Events and Notices

January 18-20: USDA ReConnect Application Workshop on applying for ReConnect funds. Register here.

January 25: National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Call, hosted by the EPA. Participation in the call will be on a first-come first-serve basis – register here.

January 26-27: White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council Public Meeting. Register here and learn more about WHEJAC here.

February 6-9: 2022 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference. Learn more and register here.

February 8-10: USDA ReConnect Application Workshop on applying for ReConnect funds. Register here.

February 17-18: Save the Date for Bridges: Building Resilience: Regional Readiness for Investment & Growth in the South conference. Hosted by the Southern Crescent Regional Commission Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Register here.

April 4-7: Appalachian Regional Commission Outdoor Economy Conference. Get tickets here.

May 20 – 21: Save the Date for the Regards to Rural Conference. Hosted by Rural Development Initiatives.

Find past workshop recordings at the USDA Rural Development YouTube Channel.

Back to top

Federal Agencies Resources

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

• NEW: LIHEAP and ERA Winter Month Energy Assistance Resources. Click here for the DHS Memorandum. Click here to access the new LIHEAP clearinghouse webpage.
• ACF and USDA joint resource guide to strengthen and expand child care facilities in rural communities. Read it here.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

• BIA website has limited links for what ARP means for Indian Country and Tribal Communities. The American Rescue Plan Act

Department of Commerce (DOC)

• NEW: DOC’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is seeking public comments on issues related to rural areas and rural minority business enterprises. Deadline: January 25, 2022. Provide comments here.
• DOC’s Good Jobs Challenge is making funding available for projects that will strengthen regional workforce training systems to help workers find quality jobs. Deadline: February 10, 2022. Apply here.

Department of Energy (DOE)

• NEW: DOE offers free technical assistance for advancing Tribal energy projects to federally-recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal entities. Request assistance here.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• HHS, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), launched the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• NEW: HUD is providing waivers and flexibilities from the requirements for Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG), and Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) grantees located in areas that are covered by Presidentially Declared Disasters (PDDs). Learn more here.
• NEW: HUD has prepared a guide on CDBG-CV Rural Coronavirus Response. It describes and provides examples of how Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funds can be used for eligible activities to support issues facing rural areas. View here.
• HUD’s Eviction Protection Grant Program can support experienced legal service providers in providing free legal assistance to low-income tenants who are at risk of eviction. View here.

Department of Labor

• NEW: YouthBuild, a community-based alternative education program for youth, is supporting organizations with pre-apprenticeship programs focusing on education, occupational skills training, leadership development, and high-quality post-program placement opportunities to opportunity youth. Deadline: January 21, 2022. View here.

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

• NEW: EDA is providing funding to help Indigenous communities recover economically from the pandemic through their Indigenous Communities Program. Deadline: September 30, 2022. Apply here.
• EDA’s ARP Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation grant will fund infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects to help local tourism industries recover from the pandemic. Deadline: January 31, 2022. Apply here.
• EDA has made a Coal Communities Commitment to allocate $200 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants (Deadline: March 31, 2022) to coal communities. Learn more here.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• NEW: EPA Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Grant supports local efforts to monitor air quality. Approximately $2 million each has been set aside for tribal governments and community-based organizations. Deadline: February 25, 2022. Learn more here.
• EPA will be providing $50 million in ARP funding available to improve ambient air quality monitoring for communities across the United States. Stay tuned here for updates as they announce more details in Fall 2021. Learn more here.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

• FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides discounts for broadband service and specific technology purchases for eligible households. Apply here.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

• Federal Transit Administration on ARP American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 | FTA

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

• NEW: HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is providing funding to strengthen and expand the prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorder and opioid use disorder. Deadline: January 13, 2022. Apply here.

Indian Health Service (IHS)

• NEW: IHS Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program supports Tribes in tailoring their health care programs to their needs. Deadline: February 10, 2022. Learn more here.

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

• NEW: IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program is assisting Native American tribes in improving core library services for their communities. Deadline: March 1, 2022. Learn more here.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• NEW: NIH has released multiple funding opportunities supporting research that aims to improve Native American health, including research focused on health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and treatment services. Deadline: September 2023. Apply for a research grant. Apply for an intervention research grant.

National Park Service (NPS)

• NEW: NPS Tribal Heritage grants are providing funding to assist Indian Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages/Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations in protecting and promoting their unique cultural heritage and traditions. Learn more here.

United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD)

• Useful Link: USDA RD’s full list of grant and loan programs- from broadband to business development to water infrastructure- can be found by clicking this link.
• New: USDA RD Seeks Applications to Advance Equity and Expand Regional Economies in Distressed Rural Communities. The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities. This includes communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. Deadline: April 19, 2022. Learn more and apply here.
• NEW: USDA RD Non-Profit Transfer Technical Assistance Grant is accepting applications from qualified nonprofits (NP) and public housing authorities (PHA) to assist Multi-Family Housing borrowers and applicants. Deadline: February 8, 2022. Apply here.
• NEW: USDA RD is implementing a common application – the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative – for four of their key programs: the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantee Program; the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program; the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program; and the Rural Energy for America Guaranteed Loan Program. Learn more here.
• NEW: USDA RD Business & Industry Loan Guarantees program gives lenders loan guarantees for their loans to rural businesses. Applications are accepted year-round. Learn more here.
• NEW: USDA RD Seeks Applications for Rural Energy for America Program. Funds are being made available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). USDA is seeking applications for Fiscal Year 2022 funding. The deadline is March 31, 2022. Applications for technical assistance grants are due Jan. 31, 2022. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round.
• NEW: USDA RD Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2022 for the ReConnect Program, which is providing $1.15 billion in funding to help people in rural areas get access to high-speed internet. Application deadline: Feb. 22, 2022.
• NEW: USDA RD recently announced that they are seeking applications to support rural communities in regional economic and community development planning through the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) initiative. This program includes several different types of grants in FY2022, including funding for community facilities, water, and wastewater disposal. Apply here.
• USDA RD‘s Electric Infrastructure Loan Program is offering insured loans to finance the construction of electric distribution facilities in rural areas. Deadline: Ongoing. Apply here.
• USDA RD created a guide on how rural communities can leverage USDA resources to build a stronger workforce. View here.
• USDA RD unveiled a resource guide in both English and Spanish as part of National Preparedness Month to help rural communities seeking disaster resiliency and recovery assistance.
• USDA RD Stakeholder Announcement to Prioritize Investments That Address Top Challenges in Rural Communities. Read it here.
• USDA RD‘s telecommunications infrastructure program is providing financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas. Deadline: Ongoing. Apply here.
• USDA RD Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Examples of community facilities include hospitals, courthouses, child care centers, museums, food pantries, and more. Deadline: ongoing. Apply here.
• USDA RD Emergency Rural Health Care Grants are providing up to $500 million in grant funding to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities. Deadline: until funds are expended. Learn more and apply here.
• USDA RD recently announced that it is seeking applications to implement projects supported by regional economic and community development planning to help the people of rural America build back better. Read the news release.
• USDA RD Rural Business Development Grants provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses; rural public entities are eligible to apply. Deadline: February 28, 2022. Learn more here.
• USDA RD’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Products Manufacturing Assistance Program is providing loan guarantees to assist with the implementation of the following new technologies: advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Deadline: April 1, 2022. Learn more and apply here.
• USDA RD developed a resource guide for rural communities to develop their recreation economy. View the guide here.
• USDA RD released a new resource guide to help rural community leaders start and expand employment opportunities and access resources to train, recruit and create a sustainable rural workforce. View and download the guide here.
• USDA RD Water & Waste Disposal Grants can help reduce health risks caused by a lack of access to clean, affordable water and waste disposal on Tribes and Colonias. Deadline: Rolling. Apply here.
• USDA RD Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program supports Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) with training, technical assistance, loans, and grants. Apply here.
• USDA RD is providing grant funding for rural small businesses and agricultural producers to make energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems. Deadline: March 31, 2022. View here.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Other

• NEW: USDA Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program aims to establish an Extension presence and support Extension outreach on Federally Recognized Indian Reservations and Tribal jurisdictions of Federally-Recognized Tribes. Deadline: February 25, 2022. Apply here.
• NEW: USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Nutrition Education Grant provides funding for nutrition education activities through the annual appropriations bill. Deadline: March 1, 2022. Learn more here.
• NEW: USDA Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program offers guaranteed loans for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects. Learn more here.
• NEW: USDA‘s new Biofuel Producer Program contains $800 million to support biofuel producers and infrastructure. Read the news release here.
• NEW: USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) builds non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments and awards money for purchasing food from historically underserved farmers and ranchers. Deadline: April 5, 2022. Learn more here.
• NEW: USDA Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program provides grants to State agencies, Tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations for supporting farmworkers and meatpacking workers. Deadline: February 8, 2022. Apply here.
• NEW: USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) program provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Many households use the FDPIR program as an alternate to SNAP, which may be not be accessible. Learn more here.
• NEW: USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program are supporting support the planning, development, and implementation of farm to school programs. Deadline: January 10, 2022. Apply here.
• NEW: USDA is accepting applications for two scholars programs that aim to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and the related disciplines – the 1890 National Scholars Program (Deadline: January 31, 2022) and 1994 Tribal Land-Grant Colleges and Universities Program (Deadline: February 15, 2022).
• NEW: USDA will be providing $7.5 million in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) grant awards to 29 states and territories in FY2022. Learn more about the grant program here.
• USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs are providing zero-interest loans and grants to help local businesses create and retain jobs. Deadline: March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Find more details here.
• ACF and USDA joint resource guide to strengthen and expand child care facilities in rural communities. Read it here.
• USDA recently released a new economic research report: Impact of USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Rural and Urban Economies in the Aftermath of the Great Recession. Read the report.
• USDA released a new Action Plan for Climate Adaptation and Resilience that outlines USDA’s plans to mitigate climate change and reduce climate impacts. Read it here.
• USDA Announces Additional Aid for the Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative. Read the announcement here.
• Official USDA website explaining ARP and funding that USDA will implement. Breaks it into four large sections: nutrition assistance, supporting farmers and strengthening food supply, ensuring equity for farmers of color, and strengthening infrastructure, housing and health care in rural America. American Rescue Plan
• USDA Article Rural Poverty Has Distinct Regional and Racial Patterns. Read the article here.
• USDA ERS recently updated their research on rural poverty and well-being. View the research here.

US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

• US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs summarizes the $31.2B heading to Indian Country and Native Nations. SENATE PASSES LARGEST INVESTMENT IN NATIVE PROGRAMS IN HISTORY, MORE THAN $31 BILLION HEADING TO NATIVE COMMUNITIES | The United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

US Treasury

• NEW: US Treasury New Markets Tax Credits Program helps attract private investment to distressed rural communities. Deadline: January 13, 2022. Apply here.
• NEW: US Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Keeping Families in Their Homes
• NEW: US Treasury Releases Report Showing U.S. Childcare System Overburdens Families and Causes Shortages Due to Inadequate Supply. Read the press release and download the report.

White House

• Official White House website explanation of the American Rescue Plan. Case studies to see how the plan might affect you directly. White House’s “American Rescue Plan”

Resources from Non-Federal Organizations

• NEW: National Rural Housing Coalition report on Measuring the Economic and Human Impact of Nonprofit Organizations in Rural America
• New Profit is accepting applications for their Health Equity Cohort, consisting of eight organizations who will receive $100,000 in unrestricted funding and resources, capacity-building support, and a peer learning community. They are especially seeking to include rural-based social entrepreneurs in their cohort. Apply here.

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Tools for Rural Communities

NEW: White House Build Back Better Rural Fact Sheet: How the Build Back Better Framework Helps Rural Communities.

NEW: IRS has created a series of helpful videos that explain how the Child Tax Credit works and what steps people should take to receive advance CTC payments. Learn about the Child Tax Credit.

USDA Office of National Drug Control Policy Federal Resources for Rural Communities to Help Address Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Misuse. Community Toolbox document gathers dozens of federal resources in one place. See the Toolbox.

USDA ERS state fact sheets and county-level data sets were recently updated with the decennial census population data for 2020. View state fact sheets. View county data.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can help renters and landlords pay rent, cover utilities, and make up for a loss in rental income. Find your local program and housing assistance here.

White House Fact Sheet on what steps the Biden administration is taking through the ARP to improve the health of rural communities. Read it here.

US Senate has released a title by title summary of ARP spending, based on the Act passed by the Senate on March 3. Title by Title Summary.

USDA Fact sheet on ARP. FACT SHEET: United States Department of Agriculture Provisions in H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan

US Treasury Breakdown of ARP Assistance to Families FACT SHEET: The American Rescue Plan Will Deliver Immediate Economic Relief to Families | US Department of the Treasury

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News and Analysis on Federal Policy

For each resource, if there is rural-specific information, we note it in red.

AGRICULTURE

AGree’s Climate, Food, and Ag Dialogue (CFAD) has released policy recommendations through which the USDA can encourage adoption of agricultural conservation practices and promote resiliency. CFAD’s Policy Recommendations

Center of Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) provides an analysis of ARP looking specifically at Food Systems. Food Assistance in American Rescue Plan Act Will Reduce Hardship, Provide Economic Stimulus

AG Web Editorial: Agricultural and Rural Provisions of the American Rescue Plan of 2021

BROADBAND

Brookings analysis on what the Senate did and did not do in their $1 trillion Infrastructure Bill’s to expand broadband access. The Senate infrastructure bill’s four interconnected broadband components

American Library Association brief on broadband opportunities within the ARP. Includes rural specific information. Broadband Funding Opportunities in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Robert Bocher

BUDGET

Daily Yonder analysis of Biden’s budget proposal for rural and its relation to previous legislation (ARP). Biden’s First Budget Proposal Recognizes Some Rural Needs

CHILDREN

CLASP brief provides state agencies with recommendations for how they can use ARP child care relief funds to best meet the needs of immigrant families and providers. Supporting Immigrant Providers and Families
Through Child Care Relief Funds

Fact-sheet on using ARP dollars for child care centers. How States Can Improve Child Care Facilities & Physical Spaces Using Federal Relief Dollars

Daily Yonder What the American Rescue Plan Means for Child Poverty in Rural America

COMMUNITY

Broadband USA’s Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program has released multiple webinars and resources explaining their grant opportunities. Watch the webinars here.

Partners for Rural Transformation policy brief shows how Congress’s system to disburse federal housing & community development funds is unfair: Equity in Federal Housing and Community Development Funding: A Proposal for a National Floor

LISC Federal Policy + Community Development: Experts Look at Ways to Fuel a Transformative Recovery

National Community Action Partnership: A fact-sheet produced by NCAP on benefits from ARP. New American Rescue Plan Benefits for Families

EDUCATION

Inside Higher Education: Editorial on funding for colleges as part of the American Rescue plan.

The Education Trust provides analysis of ARP’s impact on education issues specifically looking at issues of equity. Not rural specific in program analysis. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – What’s in It for Equity

Brookings report on ARP specifically looking at education. No specific rural breakout. Building back better: The promise of the American Rescue Plan for education

EQUITY

PolicyLink 10 Priorities for Advancing Racial Equity Through the American Rescue Plan: A Guide for City and County Policymakers

Brookings report focusing on issues of structural racism and how the ARP may address them.  Connects to rural areas by funding program analysis. Will the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan address structural inequality?

Civil Eats Editorial Op-ed: $4 Billion in Debt Relief Is a Start, but the Fight is Not Over for Black Farmers

GENERAL

Nonprofit Quarterly article by Andrew Crosson: Countering Rural Disinvestment: Appalachia’s Ecosystem-Based Approach

The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure and CleanTech Alliance spoke with supply chain innovators about tackling not only pollution from their direct operations but from the bigger, broader challenge of their global supply chains. Watch the recording here: Cleaning the Chain Workshop.

World Resources Institute Report on the Economic Benefits of the New Climate Economy in Rural America. Read it here.

Western Governor’s Association Chair and Idaho Governor Brad Little launched WGA’s Working Lands, Working Communities Initiative. Watch the Launch Webinar.

California Coalition for Rural Housing has put together a Practitioner’s Guidebook on Affordable Housing and Natural Disasters.

National Community Action Partnership breakdown of new ARP benefits for families. New American Rescue Plan Benefits for Families.

National League of Cities has published great resources explaining the key details of the ARP. About ARPA. |  Top FAQs regarding ARPA. | Local allocations by Metro City.

US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs testimony by Lisa Mensah on how CDFIs can collaborate with the federal government to fund public infrastructure and rural and tribal housing. Testimony of Lisa Mensah

Brookings report discusses the importance of creating a national rural strategy and intentionally designing federal legislative actions to meet the unique needs of rural communities. Will Biden deliver for rural America? The promise of the American Rescue Plan

National Council of Nonprofits analysis of ARP and its impact on nonprofit organizations and they people nonprofits serve. More of a General Resource. The American Rescue Plan Act | National Council of Nonprofits

KTTC Secretary of Agriculture breaks down the American Rescue Plan for rural communities

Vermont Biz: Matt Dunne: What does the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 mean for rural America?

Daily Yonder Editorial Commentary: Biden’s American Rescue Plan Keeps Promise to Rural America

GEOGRAPHY

National League of Cities has created an extensive, searchable summary of provisions relevant to municipalities and local leaders in this historic legislation. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Summary of Provisions. They have also created a searchable list of estimated appropriations by municipality. Estimated Local Allocations.

National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) breakdown of ARP funding for state and local governments.  Breaks out funding by issue area but not by rural separately. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ncsl.org)

Brookings report focusing on how local leaders should use their ARP funding utilizing the goals of stability, immediate impact, inclusivity, future prosperity, how ARP can complement efforts already underway and how to organize through Regional Recovery Councils. How should local leaders use their American Rescue Plan funding?

Center for American Progress provides summaries of ARP and specific state breakdowns for: New Hampshire, Nevada, Maine, Georgia, Arizona, Iowa, West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Also provides analysis around issue areas and for state and local governments. American Rescue Plan

NACO American Rescue Plan Helps America’s Rural Counties

HEALTH

Rural Assembly has put together a collection of COVID-19 vaccine resources for rural communities. Find the resources here.

American Hospital Association (AHA) analysis of the ARP. Includes specific information on rural hospitals and health care related to COVID pandemic. Summary of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and Provisions Affecting Hospitals and Health Systems | AHA

National Law Review provides analysis on healthcare provisions in ARP, including for rural America. Healthcare Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

NATIVE NATIONS

Indian Country Today breakdown of the different funding streams that Indian Country could access through the ARP. Tribal leaders, experts talk American Rescue Plan’s impact

Indian Country Today website has a breakdown of ARP programs for Tribal and Native Nations perspectives. Chair Grijalva hails passage of American Recovery Plan

TAXES

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) analysis of EITC and Child Tax Credit for rural America. Rescue Plan’s Expansions of Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit Will Benefit Rural Residents.

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Author: US DOE Staff             Published: 1/11/22          SETO

Author: US DOE  Staff            Published: 1/11/22        SETO

Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) established a national recognition and technical assistance program, SolSmart, for local governments—driving greater solar deployment and making it possible for even more American homes and businesses to access affordable and renewable solar energy to meet their electricity needs. The program also provides technical assistance and shares best practices with communities seeking national recognition for cutting red tape and improving local solar market conditions.

On April 27, 2016 the SPARC awardees announced the SolSmart designation and technical assistance program. Communities now have the opportunity to receive one of three designations and will be nationally recognized for their participation. No-cost technical assistance is also available for communities striving to achieve SolSmart designation. Communities can apply for SolSmart designation and apply to host a SolSmart Advisor.

On May 4, 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office announced the SolSmart Program Management funding program, which will award $8 million–10 million to one entity that will manage and expand DOE’s SolSmart program. At that time, more than 400 communities in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have received SolSmart designations for streamlining processes that make it faster and easier to deploy solar energy, attract investment, and lower energy costs for families and businesses. On September 28, 2021, Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm announced a goal of 460 SolSmart-designated communities by March 2022.

Objectives

The SolSmart designation, coupled with robust and agile technical assistance, will spur communities across the country to earn recognition for achievements that distinguish them from their peers as they become more solar-friendly, and in doing so, ignite local solar markets while establishing consistency in solar practices across the country. SolSmart supports the goals of the Solar Energy Technologies Office to make it faster, cheaper, and easier to go solar.

Approach

This program will establish prominent national leadership recognition and technical assistance programs for local governments. SPARC has two topic areas: the designation program administrator (topic A), which will establish, name, and maintain the program, and the technical assistance provider (topic B), which will provide technical assistance to help communities achieve ambitious goals that eliminate market barriers and reduce soft costs. Local governments that qualify for recognition will receive a prominent designation and join a peer network of leading communities across the country.

2016 Awardees

THE INTERNATIONAL CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Location: Washington, D.C.
DOE Award Amount: $3 million
Awardee Cost Share: $180,000
Project Summary: This project will create a national program to prominently recognize local governments across the country for their efforts to build stronger local solar markets. With guidance from a panel of industry experts, the project team will craft a fresh and accessible designation program signaling that participating communities are prepared to build local workforces and economies through solar market growth. To spur innovation and friendly competition among communities, the team will provide annual awards for achievements in various categories. The awards and other competitions will celebrate communities and other stakeholders that break new ground and make remarkable progress.

THE SOLAR FOUNDATION

Location: Washington, D.C.
DOE Award Amount: $10 million
Awardee Cost Share: $270,000
Project Summary: This project will provide technical assistance support to communities pursuing the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) designation. The team will enable at least 300 communities across the U.S. to qualify for the SolSmart designation via a three-pronged approach to delivering technical assistance: one on one technical assistance delivery to communities from a team of experienced national experts; the use of SPARC Corps Fellows to help select communities identify and reduce soft cost barriers; and peer mentorship and learning.