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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-23 Correspondence - US Dept. of Agriculture - MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER - SEPTEMBER 2023From:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject:[EXTERNAL]MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER - SEPTEMBER 2023Date:Tuesday, September 5, 2023 2:10:17 PM 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 SEPTEMBER 2023 Welcome to the MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER, USDA Rural Development in Montana's monthly newsletter with Livingston information about our business, community facilities, energy, electric, housing, telecommunication, and water and environmental programs. Thanks for checking us out. Let us know how we can serve you better. Please send feedback to mark.mccann@usda.gov. From Kathleen Funding Opportunities Webinars and Workshops Tribal Information Montana RD News Outreach Additional News In this Issue FROM KATHLEEN Montana SD Greetings from Rural Development in Montana! We are rapidly approaching the end of our fiscal year on September 30, which means our program staff are working even more diligently to make sure that funding and resources are allocated so they can benefit the many businesses, communities, and families across our state we are working with. Even though we are closing out the fiscal year, Rural Development still has several funding opportunities available to help rural and Tribal communities. Our disaster recovery programs are still open with funding available for homeowners and communities for repairs from damage caused by flooding in 2022. Our Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding is available through September 30, 2024, for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy and energy efficient systems. With more than 70 different programs available for funding rural and Tribal businesses, communities and families, our staff is dedicated to working with you so we can help advance stability and prosperity in rural Montana. Please read on for the latest news and information and to learn more about how USDA Rural Development in Montana is helping our communities sustain and thrive. USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally, and advocate for rural America. kw signature FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Guaranteed loan and grant funding for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency upgrades. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficiency equipment and new system loans to support agricultural production and processing. Application deadlines are 9/30/2023, 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, 6/30/2024, and 9/30/2024. For more information or to apply contact kathy.archer@usda.gov. Disaster Relief for Montana Homeowners - Grant funding is available through TWO USDA RD programs to help low-income homeowners in presidentially declared disaster areas repair damage caused by flooding and other natural disasters. Single Family Housing Rural Disaster Repair Grants are available to help repair homes damaged by flooding in calendar year 2022. Application period is now open. Open. For information or to apply contact katina.uecker@usda.gov. Single Family Housing Disaster Repair Grant Pilot Program expands eligibility for low-income homeowners in any presidentially declared disaster areas to receive grant funding. Pilot Program ends on July 18, 2025. For more information or to apply contact katina.uecker@usda.gov. Disaster Relief Also Available for Montana Communities - Grant funding is available through TWO USDA RD programs to repair essential community facilities and water infrastructure damaged by flooding in 2022. Eligible areas include Carbon, Flathead, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure and Yellowstone Counties. Community Facilities Supplemental Disaster Repair Grants are available to help rural and Tribal communities repair essential facilities damaged by flooding in 2022. Application period is now open. For information or to apply all (406) 585-2520. Water Infrastructure Disaster Grant Repair Program is available to help rural and Tribal communities repair water infrastructure damaged by flooding in 2022. Application period is now open. For information or to apply call (406) 585-2520. MORE USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES USDA Rural Development has more than 70 financial assistance programs for a variety of rural and Tribal applicants. Learn more about how RD programs can assist with your business, community facility, electric, energy, housing, telecommunication, or water and wastewater project needs. USDA RD PROGRAMS WEBINARS and WORKSHOPS Rural Development Cooperative Services Interagency Working Group Series Meetings designed to foster cooperative development and ensure coordination with federal agencies and cooperative organizations. Panels include private sector and Federal government representatives discussing program needs and brainstorming ideas for collaborative solutions. Upcoming Working Groups Real Estate Co-ops: 9/15/2023, noon - 1:30 p.m. (MT). To join, click HERE. Co-Op Ecosystems: 10/13/2023, noon - 1:30 p.m. (MT). To join, click HERE. USDA, FDIC, and SBA Present "Path to Prosperity" Workshop USDA, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are hosting an economic development workshop for agricultural producers and rural and Tribal small business owners to learn about resources available to help them grow. Attend VIRTUALLY or IN-PERSON on 9/26/2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Historic Billings Depot, in Billings, Montana. Registration is required. Register for the event by clicking on the link HERE. TRIBAL INFORMATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Tribal College Initiative Grant Program Funding available for 1994 Land Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) to make capital improvements to educational facilities and to purchase equipment. Application period is now open. For information or to apply call (406) 585-2520. Single Family Housing 502 Guaranteed Loans on Tribal Lands Two pilot programs, Tribal Property Valuation Pilot Program and Tribal Rehabilitation Pilot Program, provide flexible options to obtain financing on Tribal lands, one with a flexible appraisal option and the other permitting rehabilitation loans for homeowners. The programs will evaluate existing regulations, expand opportunities for economic development, and improve quality of life in Tribal communities. Read more about this funding opportunity by clicking on the link HERE. Montana Department of Commerce - Tribal Grant Opportunities In a commitment to fostering economic growth and empowerment within Tribal communities, the Montana Department of Commerce announces application periods for FOUR grant programs designed to support Tribal business development and strengthen indigenous entrepreneurship in Montana. Learn more about these grant opportunities by clicking on the link HERE. Inflation Reduction Act Tribal Guidebook This guidebook provides an overview of the clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related funding programs in the Inflation Reduction Act for which Tribes are eligible. Read more about Tribal programs available through the Inflation Reduction Act by clicking on the link HERE. Tribal News - Biden-Harris Administration Investing in America Agenda Funds Launch of New Tribal Electrification Program WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior announced the launch of a new program and availability of $72.5 million in initial funding to help Tribal communities electrify homes. Read more about the Tribal Electrification Program by clicking the link HERE. Tribal News - Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $1 Billion in New Internet for All Funding Available to Tribal Lands WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the availability of nearly $1 billion in funding to expand internet access and adoption on Tribal lands. Read more about the Internet for All funding program by clicking the link HERE. USDA RD TRIBAL RELATIONS PAGE Sage Apartments MONTANA RD NEWS Two Generations Partner with USDA on Affordable Housing in Rural Montana The Sage Apartments is a 12-unit multi-family housing complex that provides quality, safe, and affordable housing for eligible seniors and persons with disabilities in rural Harlowton, Montana. Read the full story by clicking on the link HERE. USDA Awards More than $1.3 Million in Grants to Advance Renewable Energy in Montana Bozeman, Mont., August 30, 2023 – Since early last fall, USDA Rural Development has awarded more than $1.3 million in grant funding to 35 recipients across Montana through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program provides guaranteed loan and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Read the full story by clicking on the link HERE. Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Funding Announcement On August 30, the Wool Mill in Belgrade, MT, hosted Rural Development to help us announce the latest REAP grant recipients in Montana. Read more in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle about how USDA REAP funding helped the Wool Mill's owner, LaVonne Stuckey, lower energy costs for her rural small business. PUBLIC NOTICE: Changes to Eligible Area Maps for USDA Rural Development Housing Programs in Montana USDA Rural Development has completed its 2020 decennial United States census review for all areas under its jurisdiction to identify areas that no longer qualify as rural for USDA Rural Housing programs. Based on the review of the areas within the state of Montana using 2020 US census data, and rural area guidance located in Handbook HB-1-3550, Chapter 5, the rural eligibility designation has changed for certain areas in Montana. Read about the changes by clicking on the link HERE. OUTREACH Outreach Our team travels throughout Montana to help businesses, communities, and homeowners learn more about funding opportunities available through USDA Rural Development. We hope to see you on the road! Montana RD - Coming to an Event Near You in September Sep. 13-14: Anaconda - Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit Sep. 19-22: Billings - Montana Health Care Conference Sep. 24-27: Butte - Montana Association of Counties (MACO) Sep. 26: Billings - USDA / FDIC / SBA "Path to Prosperity" Workshop ADDITIONAL NEWS Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021, nearly 37,000 projects have been awarded funding. They range from repaving roads and water system upgrades funded through formula grants to states to competitive funding for massive bridge and transit projects. Learn more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in Montana and across America by clicking on the link to this Interactive Dashboard. For more information about Montana RD, follow us on Twitter @Montana_RD or Visit our WEBSITE by clicking the button below. USDA RD MONTANA USDA Rural Development in Montana has offices in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. Contact us today to learn more about funding opportunities for businesses, communities and homeowners in rural and Tribal areas. MONTANA RD CONTACTS 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. 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