Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update |
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The Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Gulf Coast Economic Development District stand ready to assist the 13-county region in pursuing strategies to restore local economies. We will be issuing this Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update to help our local partners stay on top of new funding opportunities. Subscribers to the monthly Regional Economic Development Digest will receive the weekly update automatically. We hope to make it easier for you to secure the resources you need to recover quickly.
Please email Jillian Donatto or call 631-897-3817 to discuss economic recovery needs you may have.
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Submit Applications for EDA CARES Act Funding As Soon As Possible |
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Rural Relief Small Business Grants for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Opens Today |
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) opened the Rural Relief Small Business grant program for small businesses located in a rural community, as of September 28, 2020. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. Applicants can win between $5,000 and $20,000 for expenses, including rent and utilities, payroll, debt payments, and other immediate operational costs. Read more frequently asked questions about the grants program. Applications are due October 5, 2020.
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Good Neighbor Citizenship® Grants from State Farm Open on Thursday |
State Farm is making Good Neighbor Citizenship grants of at least $5,000 available to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, and programs conducted by municipal, county, state or federal government entities that align with the State Farm charitable focus areas: safety, education, and community development. Applications will be accepted online from October 1 to October 31, 2020.
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Application Open for Community Connect Grants to Fund Broadband Projects in Underserved Rural Areas |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for Community Connect Grants for Fiscal Year 2021 to provide broadband service in unserved rural areas. Funds can be used to construct facilities used to deploy broadband services to residents, businesses, and essential community facilities (schools, libraries, fire stations etc.). Funds can cover the cost of providing broadband service free of charge to community facilities for 2 years. State and local governments, both for-profits and non-profits, and limited liability companies are eligible to apply. Applications are due December 23, 2020.
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Federal Funding for Rural Communities |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America.
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Federal Funding for All Communities |
Grants to expand community colleges’ ability to meet the labor market demand for a skilled workforce and to build capacity to address challenges associated with the coronavirus, such as technology-enabled learning.
For governmental and nonprofit entities working to implement STEM apprenticeship models in their regions, especially projects that will expand work-based learning for adults, increase regional innovation capacity, and expand diversity
To highlight successful examples of innovation ecosystems, particularly resources that support underserved communities or remarkable responses to the pandemic environment. Cash prizes of $10,000 or $25,000 will be awarded.
Seed funding (up to $100,000) for research and development that has a commercial potential.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program and the new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) pre-disaster mitigation program provide states, local communities, tribes, and territories funding for eligible mitigation activities.
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Upcoming Economic Recovery Webinars |
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Many communities have eliminated travel and discretionary spending, cut personnel costs, and paused capital expenditures in response to COVID-19. Learn how these same communities can maximize CARES Act funding while continuing to address declining revenues and ongoing increased expenses.
This free event will bring together business, government, and healthcare leaders to discuss strategies to address the public health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Industrial Development Bonds, or Manufacturing Bonds, are the most frequently used bond tool for financing the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing of personal protective equipment, medical supplies, test kits, and more was crucial during the recent pandemic; while a significant portion of the economy was shut down, essential facilities such as manufacturing plants became uniquely valuable and remained opened because of their ability to pivot production toward critical needs. Learn how these bonds act as resilient economic drivers by financing the manufacturing facilities that stabilize local economies during crises.
As part of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s Net Inclusion conference, this one-hour webinar will feature both a presentation and question and answer portion.
Learn how communities are helping students get connected, assisting parents and caregivers gain the skills to help their children navigate online learning environments, and transitioning educators to online teaching.
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Visit the GCEDD website for information and links to local, regional, and partner organizations that have additional resources and information on economic recovery. A select list is presented below.
The Greater Houston Partnership has established the Greater Houston Business Recovery Center (GHBRC), which will provide guidance on policy and financing related to recovery programs.
RestoreYourEconomy is your resource for up-to-date information related to COVID-19 and its economic impacts.
The Texas Economic Development Council COVID-19 webpage catalogs webinars, small business program examples, research white papers, Texas Workforce Commission resources, and advice for retailers.
The National Association of Development Organizations COVID-19 resource center provides advocacy resources, upcoming virtual events and trainings, federal agency COVID-19 resources, national partner organizations response resources, Office of Management and Budget guidance, state-by-state workforce guidelines, and philanthropic resources for communities.
The International Economic Development Council Coronavirus Response webpage provides information on the IEDC's COVID-19 webinar series and frequently updated situational reports.
A wide range of free resources for Main Street leaders, including recovery planning tools, research, and best practices and examples from around the Main Street Network.
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Gulf Coast Economic Development District
713-627-3200
The Economic Recovery Resources - Weekly Update is published by the
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