June 2023 Grant Resources Newsletter and Opportunities | |
|
DISASTER RESILIENCY PRIORITIZATION / GRANT WRITING ASSISTANCE – PROCESS TO BEGIN WITH ECC DISASTER RESILIENCY INTEREST SURVEY – PLEASE COMPLETE BY JUNE 30TH – ECC is conducting a survey about disaster resilience to help evaluate and prioritize local government needs, as they relate to disaster resiliency, other ECC funding areas, and the RISE process.
In the State’s 2021 Budget, the NC General Assembly included an appropriation to the North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Governments (NCARCOG) to support local governments in effectively managing and building capacity for disaster recovery, mitigation, and resiliency efforts. NCARCOG has sub-awarded grants to the State’s sixteen (16) Regional Councils, including the Eastern Carolina Council of Government (ECC), to provide specific planning and project management services in support of this statewide effort.
This initiative builds upon NCORR’s Regions Innovating for Strong Economies and Environment (RISE) Program was created to further support resilience in North Carolina. NCORR’s RISE Regional Resilience Portfolio Program was established and covers nine areas, which align with the North Carolina Council of Government eastern regions.
The overall intent of the effort is to expand the capacity of local governments that are susceptible to natural disasters so they can effectively plan for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from declared disaster events, to restore community services back to pre-disaster conditions, and to make communities more resilient in dealing with future disaster.
The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/eccdr. Please complete this survey before Friday, June 30th. Thank you!
| |
|
2nd OFFERING FOR EDA GRANTS WEBINAR – MON., JUNE 26th – The Eastern Carolina Council (ECC) hosted a webinar about EDA Funding Opportunities on May 24th, and the webinar will be offered a second time – on Monday, June 26th at 11:00 a.m.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) offers a variety of funding opportunities to support construction and non-construction projects that spur job creation, leverage private capital investments, and strengthen the community’s ability to compete in a global marketplace. This webinar will be good for economic development officials, county/city leadership, water/sewer managers, and community college leaders. The 1-hour ECC webinar session will provide an overview of EDA grants available to the ECC region, including supplemental funding for disaster recovery, communities impacted by job loss or supply chain disruption, and more. Hillary Sherman, EDA’s Economic Development Representative for NC, will provide the program and will be available to answer your questions.
ECC is the EDA-designated Economic Development District for our 9-county region and can assist counties, municipalities, and other organizations with the EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance grant application. ECC can also manage the grant administration for funded projects. To register for this webinar, visit http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gppuxoyab&oeidk=a07ejslulleca430902.
| |
|
ECC TO OFFER 2-DAY GRANT WRITING CLASS JULY 10TH AND 11TH – ECC hosted a 2-day grant writing class back in March, and folks have requested that we host it again, so we are! ECC is hosting a 2-day grant writing workshop for our members on July 10th and 11th (9:00-4:30) for the first 35 people to register. ECC Community Planner, Holly C. Lippitt, will be the trainer for this event.
The workshop will provide opportunities to learn the various types and categories of grants, including federal and private foundation grants, as well as a glossary of terminology. The workshop will also provide time for attendees to learn the various concepts necessary to develop a grant. Participants are asked to come with an identified need from their community to develop a grant application. We will search for available grant opportunities on https://www.grants.gov/ and a local database. If your community is interested, you can register at ECC Grant Writing Class Registration.
| |
USDA’s Rural Community Development Initiative will provide grants to organizations in the U.S. to improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in traditionally underserved and economically challenged rural areas. Grants are to train sub-grantees by hosting educational training on home ownership or minority-owned business entrepreneurship. Other opportunities will focus on developing strategic plans and accessing alternative funding sources, training, and resources. Matching funds must be equal to the funding request. Grant awards will be evaluated by the Priority Points program; review https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points to improve application status. Visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-sa-rcdi-nosa-stakeholder-announcement-05042023.pdf . Apply online through grants.gov on June 28, 2023, by 11:59 PM or by paper on July 3, 2023, by 4:00 PM. | |
|
USDA: Strategic Economic and Community Development: Application Deadline: Open. Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) supports projects that promote and implement strategic community investment plans, which use the unique strengths of rural communities to advocate prosperity. Funding priorities are for small communities with a population of 5,500 or less and low-income communities having a median household income below the higher poverty line (80%) or 60% of the state non-metropolitan median household income. USDA Rural Development helps finance these projects by using community assets, identifying resources, convening partners, and leveraging federal, state, local, or private funding. Visit
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/strategic-economic-and-community-development#overview .
| USDA Rural Development: Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees: Application Deadline: Open. USDA Rural Development offers financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve, or expand telecommunication and broadband networks in rural areas. Visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/telecommunications-infrastructure-loans-loan-guarantees#overview . | |
USDA: Rural Development and US Department of Commerce: Economic Development Administration – Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA).
https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/508F_RD_EDA_JointPlanningResourceGuide.pdf was a $20 million initiative launched in 2022 as a Joint Planning Resource Guide by the US Department of Agriculture: Rural Development and the US Department of Commerce (EDA). It is divided into 4 key focus areas for grants and loans: 1) Planning and Technical Assistance; 2) Infrastructure and Broadband Expansion; 3) Entrepreneurship and Business Assistance; and 4) Workforce Development and Livability. The 2 federal agencies host a 30-page list that has 41 grant and loan opportunities.
| |
USDA and Broadband USA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration: The Community Connect Grant program has approximately $79 million in available funding for 2023. This program is designed to build or extend networks in areas that currently lack access to internet speeds of 25x3 Mbps or greater. Eligible funds will be used for setting up community centers where the public can access free broadband and provide it to Essential Community Facilities for 2 years.
There are a few requirements: 1) Financial assistance will be given to eligible service providers who will construct, improve, or expand broadband networks in rural areas; 2) The applicant must define a contiguous geographic area, located entirely within a rural area, in which broadband service does not exist - as defined by the most recent decennial US Census. (The geographic area is not to be located within a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants or an urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants.); 3) There is a matching requirement of 15%; and 4) This program cannot be used as a match to other federal programs. The biggest challenge with this program is to confirm that areas are, in fact, eligible - they do not have access to speeds below the threshold level [of 25x3 Mbps or greater]). Deadline: June 20, 2023. Visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/community-connect-grants .
| |
USDA: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program: USDA Rural Development supports zero-interest loans and grants for current and former eligible Rural Utilities Service borrowers who use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that create and/or retain jobs or support community facility projects. Stakeholder Announcement is in the Federal Register. Application deadline to RD State Office: June 30, 2023. Visit Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program | Rural Development (usda.gov) . | |
 |  | DOT – PROTECT NOFO: Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity – DOT’s vision to address the climate crisis is to fund projects that improve the resilience of the surface transportation system, which includes highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. Three components will need to be addressed: 1) Use the best available scientific knowledge of climate change hazards, influences, and liabilities; support the continual operation or rapid recovery of critical local, regional, or national surface transportation facilities; and 3) develop inventive and mutual methodologies to reduce risk reduction, including the use of natural infrastructure, which is fully authorized under the program. Visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppld=347585 to view the NOFO and https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/protect/discretionary for more information about the NOFO and the PROTECT Program. Direct questions about the grant application to PROTECTDiscretionary@dot.gov or contact Becca Eversole at beversole@eccog.org for DERPO (Carteret, Craven, Jones, and Pamlico Counties) and Mickey Anderson at manderson@eccog.org for ECRPO (Duplin, Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne Counties). The grant deadline is Fri., Aug. 18, 2023.
| |
 | 2023 EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment funding supports construction and non-construction projects that spur job creation, leverage private capital investments, and strengthen the community’s ability to compete in a global marketplace. EDA supports bottom-up strategies that build on regional assets to spur economic growth and resiliency. Example projects could include water and sewer system improvements; Industrial Park; Workforce training facilities; and Incubators. Through this NOFO EDA intends to advance general economic development outcomes in accordance with EDA’s investment priorities, but also to pursue projects that, where practicable, incorporate specific priorities related to equity, workforce development, and climate change resiliency so that investments can benefit everyone for decades to come. There is also funding available for communities impacted with job loss or supply chain disruption caused by companies transitioning from the use of coal or fossil fuels. This grant program has a rolling deadline! Visit https://sfgrants.eda.gov/s/funding-program/a2j3d0000000KneAAE/fy-2023-eda-public-works-and-economic-adjustment-assistance-programs . | |
|
EDA – The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG): This is a one-time $550M allocation funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which is made available to states, local governments, and tribes for energy efficiency and conservation projects. Applications for both formula grants and competitive grants are now available. Below is initial information for the 3 grant opportunities and links to the required documents.
1) For the formula grant, submit the Pre-Award Information Sheet by July 31, 2023). Visit https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/Pre-Award%20Information%20Sheet_edited%204.4._vF.pdf . A full application will be due before January 31, 2024. Visit the EECBG Program Formula Grant Application Hub for complete guidelines and the application https://www.energy.gov/scep/eecbg-program-formula-grant-application-hub .
2) Concept papers for the competitive grant will be due by June 5, 2023, and full applications will follow on August 7, 2023. Local governments are encouraged to apply collaboratively; DOE will prioritize projects that significantly improve energy efficiency while reducing fossil fuel use in disadvantaged communities.
3) And local governments may apply for subgrants from the NC Energy Office, which is obligated to pass along 60% from the EECBG formula grant; at this time grant information is not yet available. Additionally, all applications must include an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS), which will need to include the local government’s goals to improve energy efficiency and conservation. Review the EECS template for local governments to complete this required DOE document. Visit https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/IIJA%2040552%20EECBG%20Program%20EECS%20Template%20for%20Local%20Governments.pdf .
The EECBG program is comparable to the 2009 funded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program. Its funding may be used for projects that lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and energy use, and improve energy efficiency. Whereas project investments may result in: clean energy strategic plans; building audits and retrofits; electric vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure; distributed energy technology; street lighting replacement; renewable energy resources; and many more community assets.
| |
 | |
NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Soliciting Projects to Replace Lead Service Lines: Earlier this spring DEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure announced new funding to replace lead service lines in drinking water systems resulting from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). DEQ is soliciting information for potential and eligible lead service line replacement projects. Eligible applications will be accepted from local governments, non-profit water corporations, and privately owned water utilities. Three types of projects take priority, which include: 1) Verifying and removing known lead service lines and lead (or galvanized iron or steel) connectors; 2) Finding and replacing unknown lead service lines and lead connectors (or galvanized iron or steel); and 3) Inventorying lead service lines to be replaced; the inventory will be completed by Oct. 16, 2024. (A service line connects a home or business to the main water line on the street.) This funding does not apply to indoor plumbing or fixtures. Visit https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/lead-service-line-replacement-funding .
To respond to the solicitation: Download and complete the “Project Solicitation Form for Lead Service Line Replacement Projects.” Next, submit the online application form and all required attachments. DEQ will accept more than 1 project solicitation per applicant, but not more than 4 projects. The deadline will be sometime in June, once the funding cap has been met; the solicitations and applications will be reviewed this summer (on a recurring basis and throughout the year) - in Aug. and Nov, of which the dates will be announced. In 2023 there will be 3 funding rounds, whereas in 2024 there will be 4. For more information, contact NCDEQ, Information Officer, Cathy Akroyd at Cathy.Akroyd@ncdenr.gov.
| |
|
NC Department of State Treasurer’s Local Debt Management Section (DMS) and Local Government Finance Division consult with local governments that plan to apply for the approval of debt by the Local Government Commission (LGC). Staff work with these local governments to define the need for the project, the extent of the issue, and its most expedient form of financing – all of which is directed through an arduous review to ensure all financing meets statutory requirements. The Debt Management Section oversees the sale and issuance of all local government debt, then it supervises a debt repayment program and releases debt notices (required under statute). The LGC notifies local governments and public authority of the debt for the next fiscal year by (May 1st annually). For those debts that do not require approval by LGC, they will not be involved. [Form LGC 129, Annual Principal and Interest Requirements, is sent to local governments who have debt as of June 30th.
Please contact SLGFD at (919) 814-4300 or SLGFD@nctreasurer.com . Visit https://www.nctreasurer.com/divisions/state-and-local-government-finance/lgc/local-debt-management .
| |
|
Golden LEAF Flood Mitigation Program – Golden LEAF has a new grants management online portal. Help is available for updating or adding a contact to the portal from a Golden LEAF Program Officer or via email grantportalhelp@goldenleaf.org . The State of North Carolina provided funds to the Golden LEAF Foundation to award funds to units of local government for public infrastructure projects for flood mitigation.
Eligible Projects: Up to $250,000 may be awarded per project.
· Construction of new or improvement of existing publicly-owned stormwater infrastructure, including natural drainage infrastructure and flood control equipment.
· Repair of existing stormwater infrastructure damaged or destroyed by flooding, which must include improvements to mitigate against future flooding.
· Engineering expenses related to planning and development of flood mitigation solutions.
Process: Applications will be accepted until all available funds are awarded. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Visit https://www.goldenleaf.org/mitigation/. Questions from potential applicants:
Visit Mitigation Frequently Asked Questions - Golden LEAF Foundation . https://www.goldenleaf.org/mitigation/faq/
| |
Camber Foundation: The Camber Foundation is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations (Government entities, schools, and churches are not eligible.) serving Eastern NC for general operating support or for a specific program or project in the following focus areas: Health and Wellness, and Economic Development. Preference is given in areas of interest: Access to healthcare, mental health services and programs, postsecondary education attainment, workforce development, entrepreneurship, youth development programming, and digital inclusion. Webinars for grantseekers will be hosted on Thurs., June 8, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 AM and Wed., June 14, 2023, from 1:00-2:00 PM. Deadline: June 30, 2023. Visit https://www.camberfoundation.org/grant/camber-foundation-announces-1-million . | |
|
T-Mobile Hometown Grant program in partnership with Main Street America, is providing grants to small towns with a population of 50,000 or less to apply for a $50,000 grant “… to help them build stronger and more prosperous small towns and rural communities.” Since April 2021 more than $7.8M has been awarded to 75 communities in 41 states, several NC communities have been recipients of funding. Possible projects include implementing technology upgrades at the library; refreshing a local park; and breaking ground on a new place where neighbors can connect. Application deadline: Friday, June 30, 2023. Each application is assessed by the level of detail and completeness, potential community impact, project viability, and other factors.
Visit https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants .
| |
|
North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) is a statewide business development and technology transition entity of the North Carolina Community College System, headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Events hosted by the NCMBC focus on matching only North Carolina businesses (small and large) with federal contracts.
Deadlines: Rolling basis. Visit https://www.ncmbc.us/events/ .
| |
|
RESOURCES / NOTICES
DOT Navigator released by USDOT to make information on federal grant and technical assistance opportunities more accessible: DOT has launched a new tool called DOT Navigator, which is designed to help communities better identify available federal grants and technical assistance opportunities. The tool is a searchable database and may be of interest to those working on identifying and securing DOT resources. Visit https://www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator .
| |
|
The North Carolina Rural Center will be travelling the state this summer, visiting 12 rural communities from May to August to listen and learn more about what is shaping its communities and regions. The Center recently released the publication, Forces Driving Change in Rural North Carolina, which is an examination of 8 major forces driving change in modern rural communities. At each stop on the road trip, Rural Center staff will present the region-specific data report to elected officials, community leaders, business owners, and others interested in rural development. Visits will also provide insight for Center staff about community obstacles experienced and where and how they’re succeeding.
The first 7 stops of the 2023 Rural Road Trip were scheduled in the southern and eastern parts of the state; additional stops will be added in the coming months. These meetings are focused regionally; residents of the host counties, as well as those living in surrounding counties, are invited to attend. Registration is free and open to all; we hope to see you! The 6th stop will be on Thursday, June 8, 2023, 10:00 AM – Noon, at Washington, Beaufort County Community College, which is at 5337 US 264, Washington, NC 27889. Register at https://web.cvent.com/event/0f6558a1-abf7-479b-9367-bc6ff0df9ca/summary .
| |
See what's happening on our social sites: | | | | |
