NREDA News Brief | May 2021 |
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NREDA Members,
I hope this message finds you all in good health and excited for the tremendous recovery that is underway in our country. We have a long way to go, but there are some very positive numbers showing from the CDC regarding our fight against Covid-19. As vaccinations increase, we are seeing opportunities to open more and more.
Our goal in Rural America here at NREDA, remains the same, to continue to be dedicated exclusively to the advancement of rural development, the development of member proficiency, and the achievement of social and human service objectives in rural areas.
This month, with the leadership of our Past President, Nikki Pfannenstiel of Sunflower Electric, our Executive Director, Kailah Schmitz, and our partner organizations and board of directors, we held virtual meetings with leaders in Washington, D.C. from NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, NRTC, NRECA & Touchstone Energy, US Senate Agricultural Committee, USDA Rural Development, Federal Reserve Bank, and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO).
Our goal is always to promote and highlight the needs of Rural America while looking for potential opportunities to enhance and amplify current and future programs on a federal level that might support the sustainability of our rural communities.
In the past, NREDA has developed a Rural Issues White Paper which simply clarifies our primary objectives with our national partners. This year the list highlights the following areas of focus:
- NREDA Supports Diversity and Inclusion
- NREDA Supports Critical Needs for Communities and Businesses
- NREDA supports United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program.
- NREDA supports increased funding for transportation infrastructure.
- NREDA supports continued federal investment in broadband-capable infrastructure.
- NREDA encourages the involvement of utilities in rural economic development efforts.
- Rural Workforce Housing
These issues come with bullets that specify the clear focus on targeted goals for NREDA (which can be found on our website at NREDA.org), that said, we are always looking for new members to join the Rural Issues Committee to help us find and highlight new areas of focus. We would like to thank our Board of Directors and the Rural Issues Committee, for their work on this year’s items of focus for Rural America. We realize that without a voice and plan, we cannot sustain, grow, our members, communities, and families. As we continue to look to a strong push back to normalcy, we hope you will join us this November for the Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
Be safe, be strong, and promote Rural America. Let’s Go. NREDA!
NREDA President – Garry Clark
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Once Bourbon is purified through the distillation process, its placed into the prepared oak barrels to mature. After one to two years, the product and barrel have harmonized and developed its unique flavor.
And that’s what the NREDA Conference Planning committee is in the process of doing – harmonizing the event to ensure its flavor is unique and ready for savoring in November.
Thank you for sticking with us through this development process! Now, mark your calendar to see where it all really begins! Registration opens in August 2021.
NREDA 2021 Annual Conference
Distilling a Brighter Future for Rural America
November 10–12, 2021
The Galt House Hotel
Louisville, Kentucky
NREDA is optimistic for the November event to be in person and will follow state, local and CDC guidelines. We are working with the hotel on attendee number limits, room set up, food and beverage safety, etc. to ensure the safest event possible.
Questions? Contact Denise Hoffman, CMP, Event Management Professional meetings@nreda.org or (515) 334-1049
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NREDA Membership Campaign |
David Cleveland and the NREDA Membership Committee could use your help recruiting new members to NREDA. As you know NREDA members are the lifeblood of the association and your board of directors has strategic goals to grow the NREDA family.
Each state will have a captain leading the charge and providing resources to recruit new members. If you are wanting to connect with your state captain, reach out to Kailah Schmitz, NREDA Executive Director at director@nreda.org.
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NREDA & Touchstone Energy Co-Branded Webinar Series:
Co-op Community Contest Wrap Up
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NREDA Meets with USDA Rural Development | REDLG Update
On Tuesday, May 17, NREDA Board members met with Cindy Mason, Business Loan and Grant Analyst with USDA Rural Development. The meeting provided valuable updates on USDA funding programs that the Board would like shared with the NREDA membership.
Funding amounts for Fiscal Year 2021 for the following programs:
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REDL Persistent Poverty: $5,000,000 plus $4,887,609.42 in Carryover – Total Available - $9,887,609.42
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REDL: $50,852,793 plus $2,298,699 in Carryover – Total Available - $53,151,492
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REDG: $9,430,000 plus $427,760 in Carryover – Total Available $9,857,760
Fund remaining in these programs for the fourth (final) quarter of Fiscal Year 2021:
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REDL Persistent Poverty: $8,887,609
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REDL: $36,104,332
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REDG: $3,786,876
The deadline to submit to State Office for 4th Quarter funding consideration is June 30, 2021.
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Treasury Sheds Light on Rescue Plan’s Broadband Funding
Steve Pastorkovich and Randy Sukow | May 11, 2021
The U.S. Treasury this week is sharing information that state, territorial, metropolitan city, county, and tribal governments can use to obtain funding through The American Rescue Plan, which the President signed into law in March 2021. In the weeks since its passage, these government entities have been waiting for guidance on more than $300 billion in COVID-19 emergency relief to a wide variety of potential projects in the plan’s “State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds” section.
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Upcoming Webinar on 2021 RAISE Grant Program, Formerly Known as BUILD or TIGER Grants
A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the 2021 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program, formerly known as BUILD or TIGER grants, was released earlier this month. To help applicants navigate the application process, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is offering a series of topic-specific webinars that delve into various aspects of the RAISE application process. These webinars are expected to quickly reach capacity, but they will be recorded. The full list of webinars, along with other resources for applicants including webinar recordings, can be found here.
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Aspen Institute Hosting Online Learning Session on Rural Childcare Challenges and Opportunities
Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the crucial role of childcare within a strong economy – as many parents, primarily women, have been forced to choose between earning a living or caring for their out-of-school children. Join the Aspen Institute on May 26 at 2 p.m. ET for “Rebuilding with Care: Advancing Quality Childcare in Rural Places.” Hear the learned experience, current approaches, and practical lessons from rural childcare providers and organizations that support and advance their work to create a stronger and more viable rural childcare system. Click here to learn more and register. |
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Executive Director
The Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) is seeking an Executive Director to provide leadership, oversight and direction for all operational functions of the agency. This position reports to the MAPA Board of Directors and is responsible for providing assistance and professional recommendations on fiscal matters including the preparation of the annual budget, policy considerations, strategic planning, local and regional transportation and community development initiatives, and legislative issues and activities. The Executive Director represents the agency at meetings, conventions, and other forums to promote and explain agency mission and objectives. This position is responsible for ensuring that the agency maintains federal certification and provides leadership and consultation to government agencies, the business community, private organizations, the press and the public to explain and resolve complex issues and to coordinate activities related to the transportation system, land-use and development.
The starting salary ranges from $100,000 - $150,000 annually, depending upon qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPA offers generous employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Our office is located close to downtown Omaha, in a transit-oriented and bicycle-friendly environment. MAPA reserves the right to hire at an appropriate level. MAPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Resumes and applications will be accepted through Sunday, June 13, 2021.
Please view the full job posting linked below to review responsibilities and qualifications: MAPA Executive Director
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NREDA Happy Hours
Last Wednesday of every month:
- May 26
- June 30
- July 28
- August 25
- September 29
- October 27
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NREDA & NRECA/Touchstone Energy Webinar
Co-op Community Contest Wrap up
June 23, 1:00 p.m. CST
NREDA Annual Conference
November 10-12, 2021
Louisville, KY
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Executive Director
Meetings & Conferences
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Membership Dues, Billing
NREDA Website
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