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Home My WebLink About07-06-23 Correspondence - USDA - JULY 2023 - MONTANA RURAL EXPLORERFrom:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject:JULY 2023 - MONTANA RURAL EXPLORERDate:Thursday, July 6, 2023 8:40:41 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Header Montana Rural Explorer July 2023 Welcome to the MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER, USDA Rural Development in Montana's monthly newsletter with current information about our Business, Community Facilities, Energy, Electric, Housing, Telecommunication, and Water & Environmental Programs. Thanks for checking us out, and let us know how we can serve you better. Wildflowers FEEDBACK In this Issue From Kathleen... Funding Opportunities Upcoming Webinars Tribal Resources and Information Montana RD News From Kathleen... Montana SD Summer is a busy time for our Montana RD team. We are crisscrossing the state to promote the many funding opportunities available to rural and Tribal communities, homeowners, agricultural producers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. See below for details on the following Rural Development funding opportunities and more. Recently, USDA announced two new programs – Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) and the New Empowering Rural America (New ERA) – which represent the most significant investment in rural electric systems since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. These programs are designed to energize rural America by advancing our electric infrastructure further toward renewable and reliable energy which help will lower energy costs and improve health outcomes for many of our rural neighbors. Funding is still available for eligible homeowners and municipalities in Carbon, Flathead, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, and Yellowstone counties whose homes and water infrastructure were damaged during the 2022 flooding. And we still have funding available through our REAP loans and grants for rural small businesses and agricultural producers who want to invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to lower energy costs. I am so proud to serve as the RD State Director here in Montana and the opportunity to work with such dedicated and talented RD staff across the state. Our team is available and ready to talk about RD programs that can build communities, strengthen economies, and improve the quality of life for our many rural and Tribal neighbors. Have a fun and safe summer, and please reach out to us with your project ideas and questions. Together, America Prospers! SD Signature REAP Montana Funding Opportunities BUSINESS - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Guaranteed loan and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficiency equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. APPLICATIONS DUE: September 30, 2023. Water Project Montana RD contact, kathy.archer@usda.gov. LEARN MORE HERE HOUSING - Rural Disaster Home Repair Program USDA has made $1.5 million in grants available to low-income families in seven counties - Carbon, Flathead, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure and Yellowstone - to make repairs on homes damaged by 2022 flooding. Applications will be accepted until funding is exhausted. APPLICATIONS DUE: No time limit. Montana RD contact, katina.uecker@usda.gov. Disaster Relief LEARN MORE HERE WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS (WEP) - Disaster Grant Infrastructure Repair Program USDA is making grant funding available to help rural and Tribal communities repair water infrastructure damaged by presidentially declared disasters due to flooding in calendar year 2022. Projects in Carbon, Flathead, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure and Yellowstone may be eligible. Applications will be accepted until funding is exhausted. APPLICATIONS DUE: No time limit. For more information call the Montana RD Community Facilities and WEP team at (406) 585-2520. LEARN MORE HERE ELECTRIC - Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Under PACE, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will forgive up to 60 percent of loans for renewable energy projects that use wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, or biomass, as well as for renewable energy storage projects. Join us for one of two WEBINARS in August to help potential applicants learn more about applying in our "Upcoming Webinars" section below. APPLICATION PORTAL OPENS: July 10, 2023 USDA RD contact, denver.schlaeppi@usda.gov. LEARN MORE HERE ELECTRIC - Empowering Rural America New ERA Program The Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program helps rural Americans transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. By reducing air and water pollution, New ERA funding improves health outcomes and lower energy costs for people in rural communities. New ERA program funding is available to member-owned rural electric cooperatives, which have been the backbone of America’s rural power delivery for nearly a century. APPLICATION WINDOW OPENS: July 31, 2023. USDA RD contact, denver.schlaeppi@usda.gov. LEARN MORE HERE Upcoming Webinars SAVE THE DATE!! Zoom sessions designed to help potential applicants learn more about applying for financial assistance to advance clean, affordable, and reliable electric energy in rural America through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. Two webinars are available in August. Register today! PACE WEBINAR on August 15, 12 p.m. (Mountain Time) REGISTER for Aug. 15 PACE WEBINAR on August 29, 12 p.m. (Mountain Time) REGISTER for Aug. 29 Tribal Resources and Information Tribal Relations Tribal Advisory Committee Nominations USDA is establishing a Tribal Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations for membership. The committee is designed to remove barriers to service for Tribal governments, citizens and Tribal nations. Its function will be invaluable in providing recommendations on USDA programs and policies, including through an annual report to Congress. The nomination period is now open and runs through August 12, 2023. To learn more on how to submit nominations, click on the button below. TRIBAL COMMITTEE USDA Rural Development (RD) Tribal Relations Page USDA Rural Development (RD) places a high value in its relationship with Tribes, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. We collaborate and partner with Tribes to help realize a brighter future for families, children, and Tribal communities by making critical investments in infrastructure, schools, health clinics, housing, and businesses, to benefit Native families and communities across rural America. Visit the Tribal Relations Page by clicking the button below. USDA RD TRIBAL RELATIONS PAGE TRIBAL CONSULTATIONS The Office of Tribal Relations serves as the single point of contact for formal consultation with American Indian and Alaskan Native Governments and continues to refine the consultation process to ensure strong partnerships that will preserve Tribal sovereignty and result in high quality service for farmers, ranchers, consumers, and other constituents. Learn more about upcoming consultations at the website link below. TRIBAL CONSULTATIONS WEBSITE SIGN UP FOR USDA RD TRIBAL UPDATES Montana RD News "Building a Place to Call Home in Rural Montana" A recent groundbreaking in Butte celebrated a 20- year relationship between the National Affordable Housing Network and USDA Rural Development, a partnership that has produced more than 100 affordable homes for low-income families in Butte. Butte Housing READ MORE USDA Awards More than $47 Million to Expand High-Speed Internet Access Across Montana Bozeman, Mont., June 12, 2023 – USDA invested more than $47 million in two telephone cooperatives that will bring affordable high-speed internet connection to rural residents, farmers, business owners, and educational institutions across six Montana Counties. READ MORE USDA Invests More Than $16 Million to Strengthen Markets and Create Jobs for Agricultural Producers in Montana Bozeman, Mont., June 15, 2023 – USDA invested more than $16 million with three local business development corporations to create new and better markets for agricultural producers and food businesses in rural Montana. READ MORE USDA Partners with Montana Company to Increase Innovative Domestic Fertilizer Production Bozeman, Mont., June 23, 2023 – USDA is partnering with a Circle, Montana, business to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production, create jobs in rural communities, and provide more options to local farmers. READ MORE USDA Partners with Agricultural Producers in Montana to Promote Competition and Strengthen Food Supply Chain in Rural Economies Bozeman, Mont., June 29, 2023 – USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and support a growing workforce in rural areas. READ MORE For more information about Montana RD, follow us on Twitter @Montana_RD or check out our website. MONTANA RD WEBSITE Header Questions? Contact Us 2229 Boot Hill Court Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: (406) 585-2580 STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences | Help USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately. This email was sent to agenda@bozeman.net by USDA Rural Development · 1400 Independence Ave SW ·Washington DC 20250 · 800-670-6553