[MainstreetTowns] Funding, Publications, Learning
Jeremy Zeller
Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov
Wed Aug 29 06:50:34 CDT 2018
As always, not everything would pertain to your Main Street Program, but you may know someone who it might help. I highlight in yellow the items that you may have interest in. Thank you.
FUNDING
1. Water Sector Innovation Keep the Momentum Going
RD is calling on all partners to continue working together to provide affordable, clean drinking water in rural America. Through our Water and Environmental Programs<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwODE3LjkzNzgyMzgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDgxNy45Mzc4MjM4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDMxNzQyJmVtYWlsaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ1c2VyaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&103&&&https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/water-environmental-programs> we offer technical assistance grants; loan guarantees for banks and lenders that partner with us to provide water infrastructure financing, and direct loans from USDA to assist rural utilities with their infrastructure needs. Technical assistance providers like the National Rural Water Association and Rural Community Assistance Partnership have been strong partners with us, providing hands-on, on-site guidance to rural utilities to help them comply with regulations, manage their finances and sustain effective operations. Over the past few months, WEP has worked with participating lenders to:
* Use more interim financing to expedite construction
* Use more guaranteed loans as an additional financing tool
* Refinance more existing loans to provide better rates or increase cash flow for rural utilities.
Historic Funding Opportunity
Congress provided USDA with more than $4 billion in direct loans for rural water infrastructure projects. This is a historic opportunity to take advantage of WEP assistance for rural communities. Affordable financing is available for State and local governments, nonprofits and Federally recognized tribes to buy, build or improve:
* Drinking water systems
* Sewer systems
* Solid waste systems and
* Storm water systems.
Our funding may also be used for related activities like:
* Legal and engineering fees
* Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
* Start-up operations and maintenance
* Interest incurred during construction
* Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
* Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
To learn more, contact your RD State Office.<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwODE3LjkzNzgyMzgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDgxNy45Mzc4MjM4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDMxNzQyJmVtYWlsaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ1c2VyaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&104&&&https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices>
PUBLICATIONS
Brochures<https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/brochures> Learn how USDA Rural Development programs can help you and your rural community.
General Brochures
* Complying With Civil Rights Requirements PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-ComplyingWithCRRequirements.pdf>
* Help for Rural Americans PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-HelpForRuralAmericansBrochure.pdf>
* Summary of Programs PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD_ProgramMatrix.pdf> | Spanish PDF <https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDProgramMatrix508_SP.pdf>
Ag Producers
* Agricultural Producers, Help for Agricultural Producers PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2189AgProducersBrochure12716.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2189SAgProducersBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/9706e8c9-e905-4e27-90bc-4524e3c9eca5> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/92d22ee2-98ed-4923-85cd-621ba7a4db0c> |
American Indians and Alaska Natives
* Assistance for Tribal Nations PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-AssistanceforTribalNations.pdf>
Businesses & Lenders
* Help for Rural Businesses PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2178BusinessBrochure12116.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2178SBusinessBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/274a5a26-5613-4b10-b87f-f3b13fb02c6d> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/c36635b6-a3fd-4b85-90ae-0ed7877de52b>
* Opportunities for Lenders PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2179LendersBrochure12116.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2179SLendersBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/bfd86aa2-2e27-4e4d-b6ff-5e780aa08792> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/79852fb4-d913-475e-bfa9-bca78244172a>
Cooperatives & Nonprofits
* Help for Cooperatives PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2184CooperativesBrochure11916.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2184SCooperativesBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/b65225b9-4353-4de7-a318-79e43194ee61> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/3c63b283-3def-4f4b-b0c4-513439feb2a1>
* Nonprofit - Help for Nonprofit Organizations PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2193NonprofitBrochure12516.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2193SNonprofitBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/48c0c142-93fe-4bd4-8c34-ac759fb9ca3e> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/ae9952cc-7c44-412e-9268-0855f753ed91>
Communities and Municipalities
* Help for Communities and Municipalities PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2188Comm_MuniBrochure12716.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2188SCommMuniBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/272a3689-49ab-467a-b8cb-1cf6cb675f03> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/e6fe7c62-336b-48c8-897a-feaf3f87db77>
Energy
* Energy - Lower Your Energy Costs: Help for Ag Producers and Rural Small Businesses PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2190EnergyBrochure12116.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2190SREAPBrochureSPA.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2189SAgProducersBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/a6516f44-ef16-4320-85a8-fab889e045b7> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/ce8d406d-dae0-4420-a3f8-6bbf39bbde13>
Health Care
* Assistance for Rural Healthcare PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2185HealthcareBrochure12716.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2185SHealthcareBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/4b40bb8d-2690-4205-a5fb-0a8d624166e8> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/4e0ef356-6b0a-4770-a27a-3a0b5430fd9e>
Housing Programs
* Fair Housing is Your Right PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-HousingDiscrimination.pdf>
* Own Your Future: Buy, Build, or Repair Your Home With Help PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/PA2177HousingBrochure2_1_16.pdf> | Spanish PDF<https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDPA2177SHousingBrochureSPA.pdf> | EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/361c2b16-9fd5-4fd3-b250-64d3e27d1080> | Spanish EPUB<https://indd.adobe.com/view/59425bfc-3d20-40ff-83e9-5df0d7ebec06>
EVENTS/ LEARNING
1. USDA Invites Partners to Join the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2018 - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is inviting organizations to join a national network of public-private partners to support rural workforce development and skills management.
USDA's Rural Development Innovation Center<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwODI0Ljk0MDUwMTMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDgyNC45NDA1MDEzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDMzNDE4JmVtYWlsaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ1c2VyaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&http://www.usda.gov/rdinnovation> created the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) initiative to enable rural partners to share solutions to complex issues, identify available resources, and increase access to workforce opportunities. The network also will collaborate to ensure that rural workers have access to training that aligns with the skills employers need.
Please indicate your interest in joining the network by emailing RD.Innovation at osec.usda.gov<mailto:RD.Innovation at osec.usda.gov> by Aug. 31, 2018.
Interested partners should submit a document no longer than two pages that includes the organization's name, contact information, and its past and present contributions, which should include one or more of the following workforce development interests:
* Use of labor market and data to drive strategies;
* Public-private collaboration to attract employers and define workforce requirements;
* Workforce readiness and training;
* Apprenticeship and job placements;
* Recruitment and retention;
* Sector-based best practices related to workforce (i.e. veterans, telecommunications, water, manufacturing, health care, etc.); and
* Succession planning, including strategies such as worker cooperatives.
RWIN members will be announced in September.
2. To celebrate Innovation Month this past June, the Rural Development Innovation Center hosted the first-ever OneRD National Lender Forum to give lenders that partner with RD a forum to discuss the unique issues that impact rural lending. Participants shared innovative ideas, such as:
* Establishing creative financing;
* Streamlining regulations;
* Modernizing processes and;
* Launching a public-private partnership to increase awareness of how to access capital.
We're taking these great ideas from lenders and looking at ways to apply these to improve customers' experience when they contact USDA for assistance. The feedback we received from lenders at the forum will also help drive additional public-private investments and increase opportunities to leverage resources from the private sector to maximize the federal dollars that RD provides.
Learn more about the forum at the resources below:
* Rural Development Kicks Off Innovation Month with First-Time National Lender Forum<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwODE3LjkzNzgyMzgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDgxNy45Mzc4MjM4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDMxNzQyJmVtYWlsaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ1c2VyaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/USDARD_SANationalLenderForum.pdf>
* Audio Clip: Strengthening Partnership with Rural Lending Efforts<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwODE3LjkzNzgyMzgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDgxNy45Mzc4MjM4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDMxNzQyJmVtYWlsaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ1c2VyaWQ9ZGF2ZS5zaGlkZWxlckBva3N0YXRlLmVkdSZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&https://www.usda.gov/media/radio/2018-06-12/strengthening-partnership-rural-lending-efforts>
3. The Open Food Network: Coming to A Local Food System Near You!
Summer is going full speed, and we're making fast progress too in bringing The Open Food Network to your Food Hub, Farmer's Market, Farm Store, CSA, Cooperative, or grocery source. Open Food Network is more than just another very cool farmer-friendly e-commerce platform: it's a global community that supports food systems and local food sovereignty for everyone. We're bringing it to the US, and we need your help and input. We are looking for:
* Brave and Adventurous Beta Testers
* Well-connected Regional Representatives -Foodies, Techies, Project Managers, Marketers, Writers and Eaters -Experienced and opinionated advocates of local food systems -YOU!
Working as part of the Open Food Network team is inspiring, creative, collaborative, rewarding, and challenging. Please join our small-but-scrappy USA team and international partners in our upcoming monthly meeting and see how you can learn more, pitch in, and bring this vision to American soil!
If you'd like to keep in touch with our progress, we want to hear from you! The call will be recorded, and we would love to talk to you about plugging in: just drop us a line by sending your questions, comments, and stories to hello-usa at openfoodnetwork.net<mailto:hello-usa at openfoodnetwork.net>. Contact us any time to get involved.
4. 2018 Biodynamic Conference "Transforming the Heart of Agriculture"<https://www.biodynamics.com/conference> coming up November 14-18, Portland, OR.
*The Biodynamic Association awakens and enlivens co-creative relationships between humans and the earth, transforming the practice and culture of agriculture to renew the vitality of the earth, the integrity of our food, and the health and wholeness of our communities.* Learn practical skills and explore the principles of biodynamics and regenerative agriculture - whether you are new or experienced - in 60+ workshops. Scholarships are available<https://www.biodynamics.com/conference/2018/scholarships>. Learn more.<https://www.biodynamics.com/conference>
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