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Home My WebLink About12-04-23 Correspondence - US Dept of Agriculture - MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER - DECEMBER 2023From:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject:[EXTERNAL]MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER - DECEMBER 2023Date:Friday, December 1, 2023 8:11:27 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. [VIEW AS A WEB PAGE] Header MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER DECEMBER 2023 Snowy Mountains Main Street Montana Welcome to the MONTANA RURAL EXPLORER, USDA Rural Development in Montana's monthly newsletter with 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 RD Funding Opportunities Webinars and Workshops Tribal Information Montana RD News Outreach More Opportunities In this Issue FROM KATHLEEN Montana SD As we prepare to say good-bye to another calendar year, I want to reflect on just how far we’ve all come this year, together. Your Rural Development team helped deliver nearly $250 million in funding to more than 490 recipients in 51 of 56 Montana counties in 2023. I am so proud to lead such a wonderful team, and equally as privileged to serve the people of Montana and be a part of USDA investments in rural and Tribal communities across this incredible state. Several of our business program funding opportunities have fast-approaching deadlines. These programs are designed to help rural and Tribal small businesses and agricultural producers grow, save energy, and reduce operating costs. I hope you will check those out in this issue and don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply. We also have grant, loan, and guaranteed loan programs available year-round that provide families with safe, affordable housing, help communities build and maintain critical infrastructure, and assist municipalities so they can ensure their residents have clean, reliable water sources. Funding also is still available for homeowners and communities in the disaster counties impacted by flooding in 2022. In celebration of the holiday season, we here at Montana Rural Development wish all peace and happiness, and here’s to a wonderful new year! On behalf of our team, thank you for the opportunity to serve you! USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally, and advocate for rural America. kw signature RD FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Solid Waste Management Grants This program reduces or eliminates pollution of water resources by providing funding for organizations that offer technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites. Application window 10/01/2023 to 12/31/2023.Submit applications via Grants.gov by 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time, 12/31/2023. For more information about the program, call (406) 585-2520. Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants This program helps qualified, private nonprofits provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems, helps applicants prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants, and helps associations improve operation and maintenance of water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas. Application window 10/01/2023 to 12/31/2023. Submit applications via Grants.gov by 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time, 12/31/2023. For more information about the program, call (406) 585-2520. 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 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, 6/30/2024, and 9/30/2024. For more information or to apply contact kathy.archer@usda.gov. Intermediary Relending Program Low-interest loans available to local lenders known as intermediaries, who then re-lend the funds to businesses to improve economic conditions and create new opportunities in rural communities. Application deadlines 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, and 6/30/2024. For more information or to apply contact lad.barney@usda.gov. Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Funding for non-profits, Tribes, colleges, and universities to create revolving loan fund programs and support training and technical assistance for rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. Application deadlines 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, and 6/30/2024. For more information or to apply contact lad.barney@usda.gov. Rural Economic Development Loan / Grant Program Zero-interest loans to local utilities to pass through to local businesses for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. These programs also provide grants to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish revolving loan funds to finance community facilities. Application deadlines 4:30 p.m. (MT) on 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, or 6/30/2024. For more information or to submit an application contact lad.barney@usda.gov. Single Family Housing - 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 7/18/2025. For more information or to apply contact katina.uecker@usda.gov. Community Facilities - Disaster Relief 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 (RD) has more than 70 financial assistance programs for a variety of rural and Tribal applicants. Learn more about how RD grants, loans and loan guarantees can assist with your business, community facility, electric, energy, housing, telecommunication, or water and wastewater project needs. USDA RD PROGRAMS WEBINARS and WORKSHOPS Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program Application Workshop This program provides technical assistance and training grants for small rural businesses to benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. The Fiscal Year 2024 application window will open soon. This recorded WORKSHOP provides helpful information on how to navigate the Rural Business Development Grant application process. Check out the workshop by clicking on this LINK. TRIBAL INFORMATION Native American Homeowner Information and Assistance Our Native American Housing Specialist will be at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation to provide information on USDA RD housing programs, discuss the application process, and offer assistance for current and potential homeowners. Stop by the Chippewa-Cree Housing Authority at 75 Laredo Road in Box Elder, Monday, 12/4/2024 from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday, 12/5/2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. For more information call (406) 395-4370. U.S. Department of Transportation - Tribal Transportation Program Safety Funds Federal Highway Administration is offering Office of Federal Lands Highway funding for Tribal governments for the purposes of transportation projects related to safety, safety planning, and safety/infrastructure. Application Deadline: 1/15/2024. Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) This $3 billion grant program supports Tribal governments bringing high-speed Internet to Tribal lands, including telehealth, distance learning, affordability, and digital inclusion initiatives. Applications due 1/23/2024. Learn more about the program or apply by clicking on the link HERE. Climate Pollution Reduction Grants - Tribes and Territories Only Competition Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) general competition provides $5 billion in grants to Tribes and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. For the Tribes and territories competition, EPA anticipates awarding individual grants ranging between $1 million to $25 million. Application deadline 5/1/2024. Submit applications directly to the EPA through Grants.gov. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Department of Veterans Affairs program makes home loans available to eligible Native American Veterans who wish to purchase, construct, or improve a home on Federal Trust land or to reduce the interest rate. Application Deadline: Open. 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. USDA RD TRIBAL RELATIONS PAGE MONTANA RD NEWS USDA Invests Nearly $1 Million in Rural Cooperatives to Increase Economic Opportunity and Advance Equity Montana Bozeman, Mont., Nov. 9, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced an investment of more than $820,000 in grant funding to generate economic development and advance equity in Montana’s rural and Tribal business communities. READ FULL STORY HERE. USDA Awards More than $1.1 Million in Grants to Lower Energy Costs and Advance Renewable Energy in Montana Bozeman, Mont., Nov. 13, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced awards of more than $1.1 million in Rural Energy for America Program grant funding to 12 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across Montana to invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. READ FULL STORY HERE. USDA Invests nearly $2 million to Expand Markets for Several Montana Rural Small Businesses and Agricultural Producers Bozeman, Mont., Nov. 29, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Willims announced an investment of nearly $2 million in nine Montana small businesses and agricultural producers to help expand markets and create economic opportunities in rural areas across the state. READ FULL STORY 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 Soon to an Event Near You Stay tuned for future updates!! MORE OPPORTUNITIES System for Award Management (SAM) A SAM registration is required for to bid on and get paid for federal contracts or to receive federal funds. These include for-profit businesses, non-profits, government contractors, government subcontractors, state governments, and local municipalities. The SAM registration is valid for one year from the date the registration is complete and must be renewed before 60 days of expiration to avoid potential penalties. To register for or renew your SAM account, go to SAM.gov | Home. 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. CONTACT US TODAY! 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. 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