Economic Development News
Learn More About USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant Program
Provided by USDA Rural Development "Helping our nation’s agricultural producers remain strong, vibrant businesses is an important goal of USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant program. The VAPG program is open to agricultural producers, producer groups and co-ops looking to generate new products, and create and expand marketing opportunities while increasing producer income and customer base. VAPG funds can be used for either planning and working capital projects. Planning grants can pay a qualified (third-party) consultant for development of a feasibility study, or a marketing and business plan related to the processing and/or marketing of a value-added product. Working capital grants can pay eligible project expenses [...]
DGS & HCD Announce Interactive Map Identifying State-Owned Sites for Potential Affordable Housing Development
Click here for Interactive Map
EDA Announces Availability of $587 Million to Aid Communities Impacted by Natural Disasters
*Provided by the EDA "EDA has a long history of successfully supporting disaster recovery and resiliency efforts. EDA's role in disaster recovery is to facilitate the timely and effective delivery of Federal economic development assistance to support long-term community economic recovery planning and project implementation, redevelopment and resiliency. EDA is uniquely positioned to coordinate regional disaster recovery efforts in partnership with its extensive network of Economic Development Districts (EDDs), University Centers, institutions of higher education and other partners in designated impact areas. EDA has published the FY19 Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity making $587 available to eligible grantees serving [...]
Check Out the California Investment Guide Online
*Provided by Site Selection Click here for the 2019 California Investment Guide
Soil Wealth: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture Across Asset Classes
*Provided by Croatan Institute “This study quantifies the U.S. landscape of investment funds that explicitly make sustainable food and agriculture or regenerative agriculture part of their investment strategy or criteria across investment asset classes – not only in farmland but also in cash and cash equivalents, fixed income, public equities, and private equity and venture capital. We have also identified a wide range of financial mechanisms, instruments, and approaches commonly used in more traditional conservation or agricultural finance transactions that could potentially be mobilized more explicitly to support regenerative agriculture outcomes in the future. This report therefore provides a roadmap to [...]
Join CDBG for Interactive Training on the Redesigned Community Development Block Grant Program
*Provided by HCD Join the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to learn, provide feedback, and get answers to your questions about the Community Development Grant (CDBG) program. Training will be provided in a classroom setting and will include the following topics: CDBG 101: Introduction to CDBG and HUD terminology from planning to reporting. CDBG Redesign: The proposed new method of distribution for funds and other changes in the CDBG program. CDBG Program Income: Managing program income and new policies and procedures. CDBG Cross-Cutting: Meeting federal cross-cutting requirements, including procurement, environmental review, and labor compliance. CDBG Monitoring: What [...]
Check Out USDA’s ARP Network Notes to Learn More About Resources in Agriculture
*Provided by the USDA USDA ARP Network enlists the help of partners to spark #econdev, entrepreneurship & community development. Check Out the latest Notes from the ARP Network to learn more about resources in agriculture here.
New EDC Study Debunking the Business Migration Myth
*Provided by the Economic Development Colloborative For many in California, it has become accepted as truth, that the California business climate—defined by escalating costs and challenges owing to high taxation and regulation—is driving a mass exodus of business from the state. Given the recent lack of growth in our local economy, it’s an easy story to believe. But what if the data doesn’t support the story on businesses migrating out of the state? What if it turns out that our local economy in fact benefits from more businesses moving in than moving out? At EDC, we’ve done the research, and [...]
LISC Released the Opportunity Zone Playbook Last Week
*Provided by LISC Opportunity Zones promise to drive billions—even trillions—of dollars in long-term investment into low-income urban and rural census tracts across the country. The goal of this new incentive, part of the 2017 Tax Reform and Jobs Act, is to achieve a double bottom line: fueling inclusive local economies in communities that benefit the people who live and work there, and providing a solid return to investors. But to make that happen, community stakeholders, state and local government leaders, investors and developers must work together to engage responsibly with this powerful but untested tool, and to help create the [...]
Legislature Passes Budget with More Funding for Homelessness, Infrastructure, Emergency Preparedness & Response
*Provided by the League of California Cities The Legislature agreed to invest in significant new investments to shelter homeless Californians, expand housing-related infrastructure and provide safe drinking water to all residents when they passed the FY 2019–20 Budget Act on Thursday, June 13, which establishes the state’s financial plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Associated trailer bills are expected to be approved in the coming weeks. The architecture of the final budget largely reflects the framework and funding levels proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, with a total spending of $214.8 billion, and an additional $19 billion set [...]
Check Out SelectUSA’s Report on Reshoring and its Impacts
*Provided by SelectUSA “Reshoring and investment expansion have been popular subjects in discussion of the U.S. economy, though little formal research exists on the topic. As SelectUSA renews its commitment to U.S.-owned businesses that are reinvesting in the United States rather than abroad, it is important to understand this knowledge gap. This report uses qualitative analysis to explore the experiences of six companies that chose to reinvest in the United States. It also illuminates lessons learned by each company to serve as examples for other investors considering U.S. reinvestment as well as policymakers who seek to support reshoring and investment [...]
What’s in the Disaster Aid Package for States and Localities?
*Provided by Governing.com "After months of delay, Congress passed a $19 billion aid bill on Monday to help places recover from natural disasters that have struck over the last two years -- and to help cover costs of the ones yet to come. As the political infighting wore on this year, more natural disasters -- such as flooding in the Midwest and tornadoes in the South -- bumped up the price of the legislation by roughly $5 billion. It’s now one of the most sweeping disaster aid packages ever passed and heads to President Trump for his expected signature. Communities [...]
CDFI Fund Awards $3.5B in New Markets Tax Credits
*Provided by CDFI Fund Through the NMTC Program, the CDFI Fund allocates tax credit authority to Community Development Entities (CDEs) through a competitive application process. CDEs are financial intermediaries through which investment capital flows from an investor to a qualified business located in a low-income community. CDEs use their authority to offer tax credits to investors in exchange for equity in the CDE. With these capital investments, CDEs can make loans and investments to businesses operating in distressed areas that have better rates and terms and more flexible features than the market. The NMTC Program helps to offset the perceived [...]
Read the State of American Manufacturing Report to Learn How Manufacturing is a Vital Part of Today’s Economy
*Provided by Mechanical Engineering “The plight of the American factory town is often contrasted with that of China’s manufacturing hubs, where whole cities can be turned over to supplying parts for one industrial sector. How can the U.S. compete with that? Quite well, actually. In a January 2017 study, Honing U.S. Manufacturing’s Competitive Edge, Harold Sirkin, a managing director at Boston Consulting Group, found U.S. and Chinese costs virtually even. According to Sirkin, wages adjusted for productivity have risen in China while remaining flat in the U.S. Meanwhile, U.S. industrial electricity and natural gas dropped sharply. Other U.S. strengths include [...]
EPA Recently Announced the Availability of $2.6 Billion in New Funding to Improve Water Infrastructure Across the United States
*Provided by the EPA The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $2.6 billion in new funds to assist states, tribes and territories with improving drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across the country. This funding advances President Trump’s efforts to rebuild the country’s aging water infrastructure, create local jobs, and ensure all Americans have safe and clean water. For more information: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-availability-26-billion-new-funding-improve-water-infrastructure-across
See How Philanthropies Leverage Opportunity Zones
*Provided by Knight Foundation "The broad objective of this new tax incentive — expanding economic opportunities for places and people left behind — cannot be achieved by the market and outside investors alone. Cities in the broadest sense — local governments, urban institutions, urban networks will need to act with deliberate agency and purpose if Opportunity Zones are to spur growth that is inclusive, sustainable and truly transformative for each city’s economy. The implementation of Opportunity Zones, therefore, will be as much about codifying local norms and models as promulgating federal rules and guidance. Given this perspective, it is clear [...]
Applications Open for ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program
*Provided by the USDA In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On December 13, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA is making available up to $200 million in grants, $200 million in loan and grant combinations, and $200 million in low-interest loans. The application deadlines are: May 31, 2019, for grants; June 21, 2019, for loan/grant combinations; and July 12, 2019, for low-interest loans. Telecommunications [...]
Apply for HUD’s Rural Capacity Building for Community Develop. & Affordable Housing Grants
*Provided by HUD The Rural Capacity Building program enhances the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, Community Development Corporations (CDCs), Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), local governments, and Indian tribes (eligible beneficiaries) to carry out affordable housing and community development activities in rural areas for the benefit of low- and moderate-income families and persons. The Rural Capacity Building program achieves this by funding National Organizations with expertise in rural housing and rural community development who work directly to build the capacity of eligible beneficiaries. Eligible Program Activities. RCB program funds are limited to activities that strengthen the organizational [...]
#Makinganimpact Website Page Launched!
Economic development practitioners and stakeholders have been doing great work in their field for the last 40 years. CALED wants to highlight these successes and celebrate their work during CALED’s 40th Annual Conference. Check out the campaign here
Check out Buxton’s 5 Tips for Recruiting Franchises to Your Community
*Provided by Buxton "During the retail and restaurant attraction process, city government leaders often face the challenge of recruiting franchisees. The reason is simple: many retail and restaurant projects require a franchisee before developing the site. If you need to recruit a franchisee for a pending development project, consider these five tips." For more information, click here
Learn from Camoin Associates about Disaster Recovery for Economic Development
*Provided by Camoin Associates Following a disaster, a community must act. A post-disaster economic impact study should be conducted to assess the physical damage and economic damage. Additionally, an economic development organization should lead a post-disaster economic recovery planning process to fully assess the situation on the ground. The economic development organization must work with the community and key stakeholders to create a plan with action strategies and priorities. In addition to this plan, an effective communications strategy should be incorporated to ensure public is aware of planning efforts and to build community support. For more information, click here
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Act Authorizes $10M for CA’s Delta Protection Commission
Senator Feinstein and Congressman Garamendi introduce the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act in both chambers of Congress. In early 2019, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman John Garamendi introduced companion bills in the Senate and House that would designate the Delta as California’s first National Heritage Area, to be managed by the Delta Protection Commission. The goal of the National Heritage Area is to conserve and protect the Delta’s communities, resources, and history. For more information, click here
USDA Emphasizes Support for Broadband, Recovery Housing and Telemedicine
*Provide by USDA Check, USDA Rural Development information on Broadband, Recovery housing, and Telemdicine, here
CEQA Guidelines Receive Update, Climate Change Drives Major Amendments
*Provided by Beveridge & Diamond PC At the end of 2018, the Office of Planning and Research’s (OPR’s) years-long effort (since 2011) to update the Guidelines (CEQA Guidelines) implementing the California Environmental Quality Act became a reality. This comprehensive update to nearly 30 sections of the CEQA Guidelines (along with some additions) incorporates new statutes and court decisions. The final text of the amendments can be found here. California’s battle to ward off the effects of climate change has ushered some of the biggest changes to the Guidelines, including criteria for assessing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) for determining a project’s traffic impacts [...]
See How Traditional Finance can Support Your Food System with CDFA’s 1st Food Finance White Paper
*Provided by CDFA The food system encompasses a highly diverse range of activities and interests that are deeply connected to every community in the United States, affecting local economies, public health, and environmental sustainability. Issues ranging from hunger to farmland preservation to food waste have resulted from the current food system, and myriad food movements have formed around the world to address these issues. Significant financial barriers limit the growth and evolution of work in the food system, yet this arena holds great economic and community development potential. Read more here