Author: USDA Staff         Published: 1/31/2022              USDA

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Author: US SETO Staff       Published:  1/27/22         SETO

Join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) for the upcoming webinar, “Heating Up: Advances in Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power,” on February 10 from 3-4 p.m. ET.

SETO leadership will be joined by guest speaker Chiranjeev Kalra, Vice President of Power Generation Engineering at Heliogen, to highlight recent developments in the commercialization of next-generation concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) technology. The webinar will also cover the broader scope of CSP research, development, and demonstration work in SETO’s portfolio, which advances DOE goals in renewable power, long duration energy storage, and industrial decarbonization.

The webinar will highlight the latest updates from across SETO, including the recently released Solar Futures Study and the National Community Solar Partnership Annual Summit. You’ll also hear about the many ways to engage with SETO, such as becoming a reviewer and staying in the loop with funding opportunities.

Learn more about SETO’s CSP research area and register now.

Apply for the Next Round of the Perovskite Startup Prize

The American-Made Challenges: Perovskite Startup Prize is open for another round of Countdown Contest submissions! This two-stage, $3 million prize competition is designed to accelerate the development and manufacturing of perovskite solar cells by moving world-class research out of the lab and into new U.S. companies. Applicants must build teams and form for-profit U.S. companies whose date of incorporation is on or after October 16, 2020. There are still six to eight $200,000 prizes available – apply by April 28.

Author: US EDA  Staff         Published: 1/27/2022      EDA

Today, EDA announced the eight grant recipients of the STEM Talent Challenge, a national competition that supports programs to train STEM talent to create a robust STEM-capable workforce across the country, and boost U.S. competitiveness on the global stage. [Click here for press release]

The $2 million STEM Talent Challenge funds programs that put Americans across the country on paths to good-paying STEM jobs and careers. The grantees’ programs give industry sectors access to talent in their own communities to fill in-demand jobs, help drive innovation and strengthen regional economies across the nation.

U.S. Assistant Secretary Alejandra Y. Castillo participated in an announcement event today at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, Penn.

The eight awardees, selected from a pool of 77 applicants, will leverage an additional $2.5 million in matching funds from a variety of private and public sector sources.

The STEM Talent Challenge grant recipients are:

Grantee: Chicanos Por La Causa (Phoenix, Arizona)

Sector: Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace

Project Description: The Virtual Reality STEM Workforce Program will provide virtual reality-based career exploration opportunities and trainings necessary to enter critical job sectors, primarily related to semiconductor manufacturing and the aerospace industry.

Grantee: LabCentral (Cambridge, Massachusetts)

Sector: Biotechnology

Project Description: The LabCentral Ignite Career Forge program – which seeks to make the biotechnology industry more diverse, equitable and inclusive – will match talent with jobs and internships within LabCentral’s network of startups and industry hiring organizations.

Grantee: Metropolitan Community College (Omaha, Nebraska)

Sector: Information Technology

Project Description: Project OCTEIN will strengthen the STEM talent pipeline for IT businesses with a new workforce model that features recruitment of underrepresented individuals, training and certification, job placement, work-based learning opportunities, and other programs.

Grantee: Purdue Polytechnic Anderson (Anderson, Indiana)

Sector: Manufacturing and Agri-Technology

Project Description: Purdue Polytechnic Anderson will build upon the success of several industry-driven pilot programs and use a community-driven approach known as Strategic Doing to transform to the bachelor’s degree curriculum into micro-credentialing and job placement programs.

Grantee: Rung for Women (St. Louis, Missouri)

Sector: Geospatial Technology

Project Description: The Women in Geospatial Careers program seeks to increase the number of women, especially women of color, in geospatial careers by providing coaching, training, support, and skill development needed to successfully enter geospatial careers.

Grantee: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, Alabama)

Sector: Data Science and Health Technology

Project Description: The Magic City Data Collective will bring together students and data professionals in project teams to conduct real-world data analysis that provides students with critical skills and experience to move into in-demand jobs in the local health technology sector.

Grantee: The Wistar Institute (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Sector: Biotechnology

Project Description: The Quality Science Pathway Apprenticeship will provide a unique pathway into quality science, a field which strives to ensure that products are free of defects, deficiencies, and significant variations, through job training, certification, and apprenticeship.

Grantee: Utah State University (Logan, Utah)

Sector: Advanced Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, and Electric Vehicle Transportation

Project Description: A work-based learning model will meet the talent needs of the advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and electric vehicle transportation industries in Utah through internships, mentorship, and assessments that will reach about 350 engineering students, including 40 percent from traditionally unrepresented groups.

For more information, please visit EDA’s STEM Talent Challenge webpage at https://www.eda.gov/oie/stem/ and follow the hashtag #STEMTalentChallenge on social media.

Author: Staff EDA         Published: 2/26/22      EDA

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JANUARY 26, 2022 Upcoming Webinars The Economic Development Administration’s grantees and partner organizations are hosting several upcoming webinars. These events will be of interest to economic development leaders in the public and private sectors and are free to attend. Introduction to the National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE) Hosted By: Argonne National Laboratory January 27, 1:00 p.m. ET  Developed through a partnership between the Economic Development Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, the National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE) provides a single, easy-to-use platform to access data on economic distress, employment and gross domestic product, clusters of industries, and ongoing COVID-19 impacts for all Economic Development Districts and 3,000 counties across the nation. Learn more about NERDE in this one hour, online event. REGISTER HERE. Reinventing Capital Products for Equitable Economic Development       Hosted By: Blueprint Local  February 17, 11:00 a.m. ET  Join EDA, Blueprint Local, and Drexel University’s Nowak Metro Finance Lab for an in-depth discussion of innovative capital products, featuring experts representing some of the country’s most remarkable small business funders. Opening remarks from Drexel’s Bruce Katz will highlight the importance of this unique moment for capital providers and small business. The acclaimed Aunnie Patton Power, author of Adventure Finance, will host a panel discussion featuring capital providers who represent the disciplines of Revenue Based Lending, Redeemable Equity Investing, and Supply Chain Financing. Audience participation will be encouraged throughout. REGISTER HERE. Future-Focused Economic Development in Rural America Hosted By: Center on Rural Innovation  February 17, 2:00 p.m. ET  Economic development is often centered on ensuring that people have access to a livelihood and a local system of support that makes economic prosperity possible. As the role of technology in society and the economy expands, strategies around economic development also need to evolve to make this prosperity possible — especially in communities across rural America. In this EDA funded session, the Center on Rural Innovation and Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. will discuss the technology-driven trends that rural economic development leaders need to understand to develop effective strategies, and share case studies illustrating how rural communities are taking advantage of tech-based economic development to drive entrepreneurship and economic prosperity. REGISTER HERE.

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Author: Joseph W. Kane S     Published: 1/26/22       BROOKING

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Joseph W. Kane

Author: Staff US Dep. of Edu.      Published:  1/26/2022       WHIHBCU’s

WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL EQUITY, EXCELLENCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THROUGH  HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Thank you for subscribing to the U.S. Department of Education, Initiative weekly newsletter. If you have questions about any of the opportunities listed or would like your organizations resources and events included in our next distribution, please email: HBCUnewsletter@ed.gov Upcoming Events! Making Public Service Loan Forgiveness Work for Us!! Join the NAACP, U.S. Department of Education and the White House Initiative on HBCUs to learn about recent changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Borrowers who qualify for PSLF can have their student loan debt reduced to $0. RSVP and get ,ore information: Making Public Service Loan Forgiveness Work for Us | NAACP HBCU Tax Preparation Session On January 25, 2022 from 4-5PM, EST, The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through HBCU’s federal agency partner, the Internal Revenue Service, will be hosting a session to teach HBCU students the ins and outs of filing their taxes. About this event. Join the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (WHIEEAA) and the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCU) for our upcoming session to teach HBCU students the ins and outs of filing their taxes. The session will also discuss ways that your HBCU can offer free income tax preparation to students and the community on campus. REGISTER Broadband Grant Programs Public Virtual Listening Sessions NTIA will host broadband grant program public virtual listening sessions in connection with the five new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. These public virtual listening sessions are designed to collect stakeholder input to help inform program development and implementation. NTIA will hold the public virtual listening sessions based on the following schedule: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Broadband Programs Public Virtual Listening Session #3: Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Broadband Programs Public Virtual Listening Session #4: Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET; and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Broadband Programs Public Virtual Listening Session #5: Wednesday, February 23, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET. These listening sessions will be hosted via NTIA’s virtual platform and conducted as a live public listening session. NTIA will post the registration information on its BroadbandUSA website . Federal Register Notice: Broadband Grant Programs Public Virtual Listening Sessions Exploring Career and Professional Development Opportunities in the Arts, Humanities, Museums, Libraries, and History Sectors Feb 1, 2022 1:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada) Host: The Federal HBCU Interagency Working Group on Arts, History, Humanities & Culture. Learn about career/job opportunities in the arts, humanities, history, museum, and library spaces as well as the ways the federal government supports professional development for HBCU faculty and leadership working in these areas. Despite economic hardships faced by the sector during COVID-19, creative and cultural occupations and industries have a history of growth and resilience. During the webinar, participants will hear from young professionals working in these fields and learn about resources for internships, fellowships, and project work that students can engage in right now. Register in advance for this webinar. Closed captioning is available. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, January 25 at 2:00 p.m. ET for Equality of Opportunity in Action: Inclusive Infrastructure Investment. Disparities in public infrastructure have profound costs on communities of color. Past decisions on highway placement in decades past continue to separate minority neighborhoods from commercial districts. Today, fewer transit options and longer commutes from minority neighborhoods to job centers can make it more difficult to maintain employment and balance family obligations. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act recently signed into law by President Biden provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to close the opportunity gaps that exist in our nation’s core infrastructure. Featuring policy experts, this program will examine this historic investment and the opportunities it presents for minority-owned businesses and communities of color. REGISTER HERE Student Opportunities The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Development through Historically Black Colleges and Universities The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Development through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative) is excited to announce the release of our 2022 HBCU Scholar Recognition Program Application. Our nomination period is open now until, March 22, 2022. We are looking for the best and brightest HBCU student leaders to participate in this prestigious program! This highly competitive recognition program is open to current HBCU students of all majors and classifications. Students accepted into the program will work with the Initiative for one academic school year and be immersed in an intensive experience working closely with one another and Initiative partners from wide range of disciplines. More information on the Initiatives recognition program and application requirements can be found by accessing the link below. Link to 2022 HBCU Scholar Application and site: White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities Environmental Protection Agency There are a few Student Trainee Opportunities at Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. The following vacancy announcement has been posted to USAJOBS and will be accepting applications through February 7th, 2020 Announcement Number/Link:  CIN-HG-OII-2022-0002 Peace Corps Bringing the World to Your Campus: Education, Service, and Career Pathways with the Peace Corps, February 8, 2022, 2:00-3:00 PM EST Join us to learn more about how to engage with various Peace Corps programs to enhance your efforts to build the intercultural competencies of your students! In this session, you will find out more about Peace Corps and how its mission can help to bring global, diverse perspectives to your campus. See Bringing the World to Your Campus.pdf. Office of Trade and Labor Affairs Join our team as a Pathways Intern! Accepting applications January 19, 2022 – February 11, 2022 As an International Relations Intern-Student Trainee (GS 05-09) you will support the Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) on programming, planning, and policy. You will be trained and given opportunity to work on: Reviewing of technical assistance, engagement, grant solicitation, and/or remediation strategies and plans designed to advance workers’ rights, working conditions, and/or livelihoods for workers. Develops an awareness of established analytical techniques to monitor and analyze countries’ routine/standard deficiencies, compliance, or policies and practices for enforcing their labor laws with respect to international labor standards. Supporting colleagues in developing internal policy and making draft recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. Attending meetings with senior staff to observe and gain experience with various interactions that involve negotiations, interagency discussions, or other external meetings in regards to policy and program areas. Learn about ILAB’s Mission and Offices. Social Security Administration Fellowship and Grants Opportunities! The Social Security Administration is offering various fellowship and grant opportunities for students in a variety of disciplines at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College https://crr.bc.edu/about-us/grant-programs/. Please market these student opportunities in the Department of Education’s weekly newsletters on a continuous basis from now until the application period closes on January 31, 2022. We are also offering opportunities in the Analyzing Relationships between Disability, Rehabilitation and Work (ARDRAW) Small Grants Program https://ardraw.policyresearchinc.org/. information webinar on January 13. 2022 and application due date is February 25, 2022 this and additional information is contained on the attached link.  Please market these student opportunities in the Department of Education’s weekly newsletters on a continuous basis. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation invites college students to join us for a four-part webinar series this spring semester, featuring interactive conversations with leaders in the field of historic preservation, as well as inspirational individuals who are engaged in preserving, restoring, interpreting, and discussing the history and heritage of African Americans in the United States through the power of historic sites. To register for one or more of our FREE webinars, just click on the following link: https://achp.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_DmZEwJcvS2ax7wZQm9rqIg January 26, 7 p.m. ET – Find a Career in Historic Preservation and Related Fields February 23, 5 p.m. ET — Interpreting Enslaved People’s History Into Historic Sites March 30, 2 p.m. ET –Preserving African American Burial Sites April 27, 5 p.m. ET- Natural Disasters and Their Threat to Historic Preservation To register for one or more of our FREE webinars, just click on the following link: https://achp.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_DmZEwJcvS2ax7wZQm9rqIg ACHP Internship Opportunity for Newsletters Are you, or do you know of, a student interested in the preservation, enhancement, and sustainable use of our nation’s diverse historic resources? The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) in Washington, D.C., has internship opportunities available for undergraduate or graduate students, as well as individuals at an early stage of their career and professional development. A small, independent federal agency, the ACHP oversees the historic preservation review process for federal projects and manages a variety of preservation programs dealing with national preservation policy and legislation, Native American interests, building a more inclusive preservation program, promoting public appreciation of cultural heritage, sustainability, community revitalization, economic development, and youth engagement. Candidates should have an interest in historic preservation and may come from a wide variety of disciplines, such as history, architectural history, archaeology, planning, law, architectural design, cultural resource management, communications, or education. Selected interns complete projects contributing to or broadening awareness of the work of the ACHP nationwide. Specific assignments are developed based on current agency needs and the skills and interests of selected interns. Interns become familiar with the full range of work of the agency through orientation, training, and by participating in meetings to observe the development and implementation of federal historic preservation policy, as well as in programs with others interning at related agencies and organizations. Advisory Council members, staff, and the ACHP Foundation assist interns with networking and advice. Summer internships generally last 10 weeks/full-time or part-time and will be carried out remotely in 2022. Projects can be designed so that academic credit can be awarded, and professional staff members supervise all interns. The ACHP Foundation provides a stipend equivalent to $15/hour. Interested applicants should apply using this form and a resume. Send to Judy Rodenstein, Internship Program Coordinator, at jrodenstein@achp.gov. The deadline to apply in Feb. 11, 2022.  Employment Opportunities! PGA Works Fellowship Middle Atlantic Section Job Opportunity “The PGA WORKS Fellowship is a program that offers access to individuals from diverse backgrounds—whether by gender, age, race or color, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, religion or Veteran status—into the golf industry to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry.” If this is something that may interest you, please see attached to find out more about how to apply and deadline. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Career & Internship Vacancies To view and apply for FWS positions, please click here: FWS Vacancy Announcements. If you have a question about a specific position vacancy, please contact the Human Resources point of contact listed at the bottom of the announcement. For more information about FWS careers and available internship opportunities, please visit our FWS Recruitment Opportunities page. You can also explore and learn more about the careers we have at FWS and others within the Department of the Interior by clicking here. U.S. Department of Labor 168 Career Opportunities at DOL! Below is sampling of this weeks’ job announcement highlights. FULL list of application links for all DOL career opportunities can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/Search?d=DL DIRECT application must be made via www.usajobs.gov      As of 1/20/22 there are 168 DOL agency career opportunities!. List changes daily! Check it out!         Summer 2022 Student Internships – https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/students-and-recent-grads Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Career Opportunities with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Please view the ATF SA Annoucements Jan 2022.pdf for a wealth of resources as well as information regarding two ATF Special Agent Job Openings that will post this month. The ATF is also hosting several information sessions with hopes of providing answers to any questions regarding this challenging yet rewarding career. You do not need a criminal justice degree to qualify for this position. The “recent graduates” announcement is entry level and will post on January 31, 2022. It will give students within 9 months of graduating as well as those that graduated within the last two years the best chance at qualifying. National Museum of African American History and Culture is Hiring! Meaningful internships offering hands-on experience in digital preservation of African American history and culture. Deadline is February 15, 2022. See attached flyer! University Student Research Challenge (USRC) Amendment 2 to the NASA ARMD Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2021 NRA has been posted on the NSPIRES web site. University Student Research Challenge (solicitation NNH21ZEA001N-USRC) seeks to challenge students to propose new aeronautics ideas/concepts that are relevant to NASA Aeronautics.  USRC will provide students, from accredited U.S. colleges or universities, with grants for their projects and includes the challenge of raising cost share funds through a crowdfunding campaign.  The process of creating and implementing a crowdfunding campaign acts as a teaching accelerator – requiring students to act like entrepreneurs and raise awareness about their research among the public. The solicitation goal can be accomplished through project ideas such as advancing the design, developing technology or capabilities in support of aviation, by demonstrating a novel concept, or enabling advancement of aeronautics-related technologies. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are not required for this solicitation.  Three-page proposals for the next USRC cycle are due February 24, 2022. Proposals can also be submitted later and will be evaluated in the third cycle. The due date for the third cycle is June 23, 2022. U.S. Department of Energy Omni Technology Alliance Internship Program The DOE Omni Technology Alliance Internship Program provides paid 10-week summer internships for up to three consecutive summers for talented undergraduate and graduate students in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and other related fields. Interns will hold appointments at DOE national laboratories, Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs), plants, DOE Headquarters, and other approved sites. Interns will receive hands-on experience in an immersive environment that provides them with an understanding of the mission, operations, and culture of DOE. Moreover, interns will be mentored by leading scientists, engineers, and other top professionals to address cybersecurity and information technology challenges while gaining valuable, real-world experience to complement their education and open opportunities for careers within the federal government. For more information, click here: https://orise.orau.gov/doe-omni/index.html 2021 U.S.-Brazil Innovation Fund Grant Competition All higher education institutions in the United States are invited to apply for a grant competition with SENAI (Brazilian National Service of Industrial Training) Higher Education Schools and Innovation Institutes. The competition is sponsored by the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Initiative. Proposals must promote academic exchange and training for students in the fields of: i) Internet of Things (IoT), ii) Cloud Computing, iii) Big Data, iv) Cybersecurity, v) Artificial Intelligence, vi) Environment & Climate Solutions, vii) Human Rights and Public Policy, viii) Health Sciences and Public Health, ix) Education (Technology & Distance/Virtual Ed), x) Biotechnology, xi) Business Development, xii) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), xiii) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The intent of this Innovation Fund grant competition is to award up to six (6) Innovation Fund Grants of up to US$34,250 each to selected proposals co-developed by teams of U.S. and Brazilian eligible institutions (SENAI Higher Education Schools and Innovation Institutes), pending the proposal evaluation and selection process. Application Period: October 14, 2021 – March 28, 2022 For more information, visit: http://www.100kstrongamericas.org/grants/ National and Federal Opportunities Coca-Cola HBCU Grant Opportunity $40K and production focused programs.The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is facilitating this opportunity for Coca-Cola. They reached out to me because they were not getting any responses from HBCUs to give this money to. See this letter you can share and the Academy point of contact. National Endowment for the Arts Research Funding Opportunities. Guidelines are available for two funding programs offered through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Office of Research & Analysis: Research Grants in the Arts funds research studies that investigate the value and/or impact of the arts, either as individual components of the U.S. arts ecology or as they interact with each other and/or with other domains of American life. Matching/cost share grants of $10,000 to $100,000 will be awarded. NEA Research Labs funds transdisciplinary research teams grounded in the social and behavioral sciences, yielding empirical insights about the arts for the benefit of arts and non-arts sectors alike. Matching/cost share grants of $100,000 to $200,000 will be awarded. Application guidelines for the present round of funding are available on the Arts Endowment website. The upcoming deadline for both programs is March 28, 2022. The NEA will conduct a live webinar on February 9, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) featuring an overview presentation followed by a Q&A session. Register for the webinar; an archive will be added to the Applicant Resources page. Questions should be directed to the Office of Research & Analysis staff at nearesearchgrants@arts.gov. U.S. Department of Commerce Request for Comments on the Execution of the FY 22/26 Learning Agenda Agency: Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce. Action: Request for information. In accordance with the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (the Evidence Act), Public Law 115-435,[1] the Department of Commerce has developed a draft Learning Agenda for FY 2022 to FY 2026. The Learning Agenda lists significant priority evidence/evaluation questions that will be researched over the next four years to help achieve the Department’s Strategic Objectives. The final plan will be published in February 2022 and will be reviewed annually for possible updates and improvements. Research questions in the plan cover a broad range of topics reflecting the wide-ranging authorities and programs across the Department. One common theme across many bureaus, and consistent with the Administration’s focus on equitable economic growth, is the extent to which programs are reaching traditionally underserved communities and populations and meeting their needs. These questions are listed in the Supplementary Information. General comments are invited but input is particularly requested on: Strategies to best engage with underserved communities and populations on research methodology Data sets maintained by states, localities, regional organizations, or non-profits that could support the research Recent significant research most relevant to the Learning Agenda questions The information provided will be used to develop and refine the approach used to conduct research. This includes identifying organizations and individuals who will be included in focus groups. Dates: Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on January 31, 2022. Written comments in response to the RFI should be submitted according to the instructions in the Addresses sections below. Submissions received after that date may not be considered. Address: Comments must be submitted via email to EvaluationOfficer@doc.gov. Attachments to the email will be accepted only in ADOBE® portable document format or MICROSOFT WORD® format. All submissions, including attachments and other supporting materials, will become part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. The Department of Commerce reserves the right to publish relevant comments publicly, unedited, and in their entirety. Personal information, such as account numbers or Social Security numbers, or names of other individuals, should not be included. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. For Further Information Contact: For questions regarding this notice please call 202-604-5634 or email EvaluationOfficer@doc.gov. The NASA SBIR and STTR 2022 Phase I Program Solicitations are now open, with proposals due by March 9, 2022, at 5:00 pm ET. The annual NASA SBIR and STTR Phase I solicitations are your invitation to join a community of NASA experts, small businesses, and research institutions who are researching and developing the technologies of tomorrow. If selected, you could be awarded up to $150,000 to further develop your technology idea. And Phase I is just your start…you can receive up to $1.15 million during your first three years, plus up to nearly $3 million or more through our Post Phase II opportunities. Here are a few tips to help you get started on your submission: 1. Carefully read the solicitation(s) you’re applying to, including: Chapter 2, which has information about how to complete the Small Business Administration (SBA) and SAM.gov registration processes: SBIR | STTR Chapter 9, which contains the Focus Area and Subtopics that you will need to choose from: SBIR | STTR 2. Attend the January 20th “Dissecting the Solicitations” webinar. A recording will be posted on the program’s website if you are unable to attend. 3. Consider applying for the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program and/or Technical and Business Assistance (TABA), which help small businesses commercialize their innovations through additional funding and other support. You’ll be able to indicate interest in either one when submitting your proposal. 4. Review other materials available on the NASA SBIR/STTR program website, such as: The Firm Templates, which will get you familiar with required forms The Resource Library, especially the “Preparing for a Phase 1 submission to increase likelihood of award” section We look forward to receiving your proposals by March 9, 2022, at 5:00 pm ET Institutes for Education Sciences (IES) Invites Applications for The Community College Recovery Research Network The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is encouraging applications from eligible postsecondary education agencies , community college systems, and researchers to the Improving Pandemic Recovery Efforts in Education Agencies grant program (84.305X), to examine recovery activities in community colleges. This grant program seeks to address disruptions caused by COVID-19 which have led to significant reductions in overall enrollments for learners at community colleges, stressed the existing support systems that community colleges use for meeting learners’ academic and non-academic needs, and highlighted existing disparities between community colleges and four-year institutions. IES encourages applicants to proposed projects that address the needs of student subgroups that have disproportionately been affected by COVID-19 including low-income students, racial/ethnic minority students, students experiencing homelessness, students with disabilities, migrant students, and students with low English proficiency. More information about applying to this grant program can be found at the Funding Opportunities at IES web page. Interested applicants should consult the Request for Applications for the full set of eligibility and application requirements. Some key dates and resources are as follows:. January 31, 2022: Deadline for submitting a prospectus (not required) of your project plan to the program officer (by midnight). The program officer will review prospectuses and provide written feedback by COB on February 11, 2022. March 10, 2022, by 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time: Applications are due. September 1, 2022: Approved projects will start. If you have questions about the Community College Recovery Research Network, please feel free to email the program officer responsible for this competition: James.Benson@ed.gov Joint IES and NSF Funding Opportunity for National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes IES has partnered with the National Science Foundation (NSF) in a new funding initiative to encourage scientists to focus on research and development of AI-driven innovations to radically improve human learning and education. As a result of this partnership, IES is providing partial funding for NSF’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes – Accelerating Research, Transforming Society, and Growing the American Workforce (Solicitation 22-502) under Theme 6: AI-Augmented Learning to Expand Education Opportunities and Improve Outcomes. This theme has two tracks associated with the two IES Research Centers: Theme 6 Track A: AI-Driven Digital Platforms to Expand and Accelerate STEM Learning in PreK-12 Settings. Under Track A, NSF and the National Center for Education Research intend to fund an institute that will advance AI research on digital learning platforms and create next-generation architectures for preK-12 STEM learning. Through this track, researchers are invited to propose to study the design and implementation of AI technologies (such as intelligent/cognitive tutors) that support highly adaptable, personalized, and distributed systems to expand access, equity, and depth of learning across diverse learners, institutions, and settings. Theme 6 Track B: AI-Augmented Learning for Individuals with Disabilities. For Track B, NSF and the National Center for Special Education Research intend to fund an AI Research Institute that will advance AI-driven research and innovations for learners (birth through postsecondary) with or at risk for physical, cognitive, or social and behavioral disabilities, aiming to transform identification, assessment, and support for these learners. This institute will be funded through the American Rescue Plan and proposals must discuss how the work will respond to the needs of learners with or at risk for a disability in an area where the COVID-19 pandemic has further widened existing gaps and/or resulted in decreased access and opportunities for students with disabilities to learn and receive support services. We strongly encourage education and special education researchers to consider applying to this funding opportunity by establishing partnerships with experts in the field of AI to design a research-based approach to meet the goals of Theme 6. Please review the full solicitation for more information about each track and additional requirements for this AI Institute. Additional program-related announcements and resources, including information about an upcoming webinar and FAQs, can be found here. Note the following important dates: The deadline for required preliminary proposals is January 14, 2022 The deadline for full proposals is May 13, 2022 Projects can start as early as June 1, 2023 (For the work focused on students with disabilities (Track B) the start date can be as early as January 1, 2023) The Institute of Education Sciences is the independent research, evaluation, and statistics arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Visit the IES website, sign up for the IES news flash or follow IES on Twitter and Facebook to learn more. IES Invites Applications for the PreK-12 Education Recovery Research Network The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is encouraging applications from eligible education agencies and researchers to the Improving Pandemic Recovery Efforts in Education Agencies grant program (ALN 84.305X), to examine recovery activities in preK through grade 12. This grant program will support research to counteract instructional and learning loss encountered by many learners during the COVID-19 pandemic; identify, explore, and evaluate state and local programs and policies designed to accelerate learning and recovery of those learners; and provide evidence to state and local agencies to improve learner engagement, reengagement and achievement through recovery activities. The specific research questions posed by the research teams should be determined by the education agencies partnering in the application. IES encourages applicants to propose projects that address the needs of student subgroups that have disproportionately been affected by COVID-19 including low-income students, racial/ethnic minority students, students experiencing homelessness, children and youth in foster care, students with disabilities, migrant students, and students with low English proficiency. The network will have a Lead and 5 research teams. You may apply for either one. More information about applying to this grant program can be found at the Funding Opportunities at IES web page. Interested applicants should consult the Request for Applications for the full set of eligibility and application requirements. Some key dates and resources are as follows: March 10, 2022, by 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time: Applications are due. September 1, 2022: Approved projects will start. If you have questions about the PreK-12 Education Recovery Research Network, please feel free to email the program officers responsible for this competition: Corinne.Alfeld@ed.gov and Allen.Ruby@ed.gov. U.S. Department of Agriculture About the Farm to School Grant Program On an annual basis, USDA awards competitive Farm to School grants that support planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs. USDA’s Farm to School grants are an important way to help state, regional, and local organizations as they initiate, expand, and institutionalize farm to school efforts. FY2022 Request for Applications (RFA) Now Available! The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Farm to School Grant Program RFA is now available through www.Grants.gov. Be sure to visit the Grant Applicants Resources page to access other helpful resources, including links to webinars that provide specific assistance on applying for a Farm to School Grant. Application Period Opens for Rural Business Development Grants The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. Rural public entities are eligible to apply, including but not limited to: towns/local government, state agencies, authorities, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education, federally-recognized Tribes, and rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).    RBDG funds must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Applications must be submitted to Rural Development by February 28, 2022, 4:30 p.m. local time.

Stay Engaged! Learn more about what we do at www.ed.gov/whhbcu. Have suggestions or comments? Send them to oswhi-hbcu@ed.gov  If you wish for your organizations announcements to be included in our weekly distribution, please email: HBCUnewsletter@ed.gov This newsletter contains resources that are provided for the user’s convenience. The inclusion of these materials is not intended to reflect its importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered. These materials may contain the views and recommendations of various subject matter experts as well as hypertext links, contact addresses and websites to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. The opinions expressed in any of these materials do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any outside information included in these materials.

Author: MCGB Staff         Published: 1/21/22        MCGB

• Join the Conversation on Social Media 
• Next Board of Directors Meeting
  • Wednesday, January 26, 2022
• New Deals and Partnerships
  • Small Business Energy Savings Support Loan with The Urban Winery
  • First Commercial Solar PPA Supporting Meadowbrook Stables 
  • Announcing 3 New Capital Providers for C-PACE
• Advocating for Clean Energy Initiatives
  • The Green Bank Provided Remarks During a Public Hearing for C-PACE Legislation 
• Educating the Public on Green Bank Programs 
  • Upcoming Webinar On-Farm Accessory Solar
  • Upcoming Webinar on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Faith-Based Communities 
  • Benefits of Becoming a Capital Provider
• Online Resources and Events

January 26, 2022 Board of Directors Meeting  Date: January 26, 2022 Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm Location: Teleconference The Montgomery County Green Bank will be holding a Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 1:30-4:30 PM. The public is permitted to attend this meeting. Please RSVP to attend and receive the teleconference information. View the meeting agenda.

RSVP for the Meeting

We’re expanding our portfolio! See below for the Green Bank’s most recent deal closings and new partnerships.

Small Business Energy Savings Support Loan Helping The Urban Winery to Re-Open and Meet New Energy Code Requirements  In an effort to provide financial assistance for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to meet energy codes for an expanded business, the Montgomery County Green Bank, in conjunction with City First Enterprises, closed a Small Business Energy Savings Support (SBESS) loan with The Urban Winery in Silver Spring, MD.  The Urban Winery will use the proceeds of the $156,000 SBESS loan to make key property improvements to meet energy efficiency code requirements and re-open to the public in early 2022.

Read the Press Release

First Commercial Solar PPA for Meadowbrook Stables  The Green Bank recently closed a Commercial Solar Power Purchase Agreement (CSPPA) in conjunction with Skyview Ventures for Meadowbrook Stables in Chevy Chase, MD. Meadowbrook Stables will use CSPPA financing to work with solar PV installer, Ipsun Solar, to host a 113.52 kW rooftop solar array on the roof of its new indoor riding arena. This will yield an annual savings of $6,085 and offset 105 metric tons of GHG per year.

Learn More About CSPPA

Announcing 3 New Capital Providers for C-PACE The Green Bank is pleased to announce that Capital Bank, Forbright, and Bayview are new capital providers for the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing program. As capital providers with the Green Bank, these financial institutions will offer affordable financing to help fund C-PACE projects in Montgomery County.            Contact us if you are interested in learning more about becoming a Green Bank partner.

Learn More About Our Lenders

The Green Bank is working diligently to advocate for our green energy programs.

The Green Bank Provided Remarks During the Public Hearing for the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program On Tuesday, January 11, the Green Bank’s Chief Investment Officer, Steve Morel, provided supporting remarks during the public hearing held by the County Council on Bill 46-21 – Environmental Sustainability – Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program – Revisions.  Bill 46-21 would amend the County’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) financing program. The proposed legislation will allow climate related improvements for eligible projects, establish a 12-month retroactive financing for eligible C-PACE measures, create a five-year pilot for increased loan-to-value amounts for qualified properties, clarify new construction participation requirements, and remove the County designated lender from the County’s C-PACE program.

Watch the Public Hearing Recording

The Green Bank is committed to working collaboratively with partner organizations to help educate potential clients on clean energy financing.

On-Farm Accessory Solar Info Session: Does Solar Make Sense for Your Farm? On January 24, 2022 at 7:00 pm, the Green Bank in partnership with Montgomery Countryside Alliance and the County’s Office of Agriculture will help farm businesses understand the benefits of, and how to navigate decisions on commercial solar installations for farms. If you have specific questions regarding whether new opportunities for solar generation make sense for your farm, but may not know where to start – this webinar can further assist. Please RSVP to attend and receive the zoom link.

RSVP for the Session

Webinar: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy for Faith-Based Communities Join us for a virtual information session on January 25, 2022 at 6:30 pm, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Community Partnerships. Learn about ways to engage your congregation in environmental stewardship, forth-coming energy regulations for faith-based communities, as well as strategies for saving energy and going solar. The Green Bank’s Program Manager, Cindy McCabe, along with Joelle Novey, Director of Interfaith Power & Light, will discuss available financing programs and the benefits for faith-based communities.

Register for Webinar

Partner with the Green Bank to Help Make a Difference in Your Community As a Capital Provider with the Green Bank, join a collaborative effort to help combat climate change by helping to provide accessible clean energy financing for all. Here are a few benefits of becoming a capital provider with the Green Bank: Market Growth: make connections with new contractors and customers Credit Enhancement: receive protection from the Green Bank on borrower performance of climate finance, commercial lending, and structured loans in your portfolio. Reliable Contractors: the Green Bank’s CLEER program only uses contractors that are a part of the EmPOWER program. Recognition: we will promote your organization in our external communications, including our website, newsletters and public events. Contact us for more information on becoming a Capital Provider with the Green Bank.

Learn More About Becoming a Partner

Online Resources and Events Take advantage of these resources and webinars while staying-at-home: Clean Energy Solutions Webinar Archive View the library of Clean Energy Solutions webinars for topics ranging from home appliance efficiency and benchmarking to breakthrough information on achieving energy savings.   New Buildings Institute Webinar Archive View NBI’s archive of on-demand webinar recordings on topics including codes and policies to advance net zero to zero net carbon schools.    ENERGY STAR Recorded Webinars and Online Contractor Trainings Learn about the latest ENERGY STAR residential programs about advanced energy efficiency in homes, or revisit your contractor trainings for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR to refresh requirements, objectives, and strategies.   Home Energy Score Training Webinars Brush up on your Home Energy Score understanding with these webinars from the U.S. DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge.

Contact us with any questions or project needs.

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.

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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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