The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting applications for its American Rescue Plan Act-funded “Investing in America’s Communities” program. The deadline for Phase 1 of the EDA’s marquee grant program, the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, is October 19. Applications for the Build Back Better Challenge Phase 1 should be submitted as soon as possible. Contact Jillian Donatto or call 631-897-3817 for technical assistance.  

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) announced the release of $38 million in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funds for the Texas Community Resiliency Program. The program is for non-entitlement cities and counties to create, expand, or enhance public facilities that provide medical care, social services, and/or emergency housing and increase the community’s long-term resiliency and ability to mitigate future coronavirus outbreaks. The minimum request amount per project is $500,000, and the maximum is $5,000,000. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. November 30. Contact [email protected] with questions about this program. Learn more.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program provides grants to food processors, distributors, farmers markets, and producers to respond to coronavirus, including measures to protect workers against COVID-19. Approximately $650 million is available to fund applications through the PRS grants program, with awards ranging from $1,500 to $20,000. The first round of funding will be reserved for small businesses primarily in small scale specialty crop production. Once satisfied, the second round may expand eligibility to larger firms not covered by the first round. The deadline to apply for the USDA’s PRS Grant Program is November 7. Learn More.

To address the impacts of COVID-19 and to support Texas’ continued economic recovery, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) approved funding to support a new child care program to help workers in TWC-specified service industries. To be eligible for child care support, at least one parent must be employed or entering employment in one of the TWC-specified service industries. The TWC Service Industry Recovery Child Care Program allows Texas parents to receive 12 months of child care assistance without a Parent Share of Cost. Learn more.

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. 

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program (Ongoing) 

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (Ongoing)  

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (Ongoing)

Build Back Better Regional Challenge (Phase 1: October 19, 2021 | Phase 2: March 15, 2022) 

Statewide Planning, Research & Networks (October 31, 2021, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program (November 7, 2021)

American Rescue Plan Additional Assistance Funding (November 8, 2021)  

Federal Transit Administration grants to eligible recipients of Urbanized Area Formula funds or Rural Area Formula funds that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, require additional assistance for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, and sanitation combatting the spread of pathogens on transit systems, and debt service payments incurred to maintain operations and avoid layoffs and furloughs.

Community Resiliency Program (November 30, 2021) 

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs grants to create, expand, or enhance public facilities that provide medical care, social services, and/or non-congregate housing in response to both the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics. 

Connecting Minority Communities Program (December 1, 2021)  

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (December 3, 2021)

Good Jobs Challenge (January 26, 2022) 

Economic Adjustment Assistance (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis)  

Indigenous Communities (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (March 15, 2022, applications reviewed on a rolling basis) 

October 18 | COVID-19 Equitable Economic Recovery for Cities, Local Governments, and Municipalities | International Economic Development Council 

With funds from the American Rescue Plan coming into cities and municipalities, there are many questions as to how local governments can effectively use their resources to support economic development in communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar will explore a new version of PPP: Place, Procurement, and Portal; speakers will discuss how combining the three P's creates the ideal equitable recovery plan. 

October 27 | Economy Series: October Economic Update | Greater Houston Partnership

Greater Houston Partnership is hosting the October edition of their monthly Economic Series to present the most current data on the region and what the data tells us about the local economy. This webinar will look back at what factors influenced Houston’s recovery in 2021 and provide a peek into where the economy is headed in 2022.

October 28 | CDBG CARES Act Webinar Series: Using CDBG-CV for Rural Economic Development | HUD Exchange  

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) makes $5 billion in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) response funds available to CDBG grantees. This webinar is part of the CDBG CARES Act Webinar Series which provides CDBG-CV grantees and sub-recipients with important information on how these funds can be used to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. 

October 28 | Planning for Economic Recovery | International City/County Management Association 

ICMA and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) have developed a new training course in partnership with FEMA: “Planning for Economic Recovery.” Filled with examples of successful economic recovery strategies, this interactive webinar offers opportunities for small group discussions and peer learning. 

In-Person Events:  

October 29 | Resiliency and Recovery Workshop, South Texas - Don't Mess With Texas | Texas Economic Development Council 

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.