Draft Agenda Available for 2023 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) invite you to register for the 2023 Washington Conference, which will be held from March 12-15, 2023 in Arlington, VA. The conference will include sessions focused on regional development, the federal landscape, and the programs and policies that matter most to Regional Development Organizations and their stakeholders. Click here to learn more and to register. Click here to view the draft agenda.
CREC Announces Application for Policy Academy
The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC), in collaboration with the NADO Research Foundation and other partners, has recently announced a Policy Academy scheduled for the upcoming year as part of an EDA-funded project to promote state-EDD planning alignment. The Academy will center around improving strategic alignment and collaboration in economic development planning. Applications are due on February 17.
|
|
|
Events, Conferences
& Online Training
|
Webinar: Vacant Properties, Changing Storefront Uses, and Small Businesses on Main Street
When: Tuesday, February 7, 2 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: The National Trust for Historic Preservation is hosting a webinar to discuss current economic challenges, define a framework to rebuild and strengthen equitable main street economies, and concrete actions they can take to fill storefronts and grow their local businesses in a way that creates more opportunity for more people.
Webinar: Transportation and the Workforce
When: Wednesday, February 8, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register Here
Details: The US Department of Transportation is collaborating with Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS) to host a webinar discussing the relationship between transportation and the workforce. This may be of particular interest to some transit agencies in the Department of Labor's Region 5 and Region 2.
Webinar: Advancing the Next Generation of Rural and Indigenous Leaders
When: Friday, February 10, 1-3 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group is hosting a webinar for youth leaders and young professionals, builds more durable and inclusive community leadership, ultimately leading to a wider range of community benefits.
Webinar: Strengthening the Water Sector Workforce in Kentucky: GRADD’s Hire to Operate (H2O) Program
When: Monday, February 13, 12-1 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: Learn about the Green River Area Development District’s (GRADD) Hire to Operate (H20) program, a collaboration with state and local partners to address the shortage of certified water and wastewater operators in Western Kentucky through a Registered Apprenticeship Program. The H2O Apprenticeship Program creates a pipeline of highly qualified operators for rural utilities and stable, quality careers for new entrants to the workforce, dislocated workers, and incumbent workers at minimal cost to the apprentices or local utilities.
Webinar: Housing Solutions in Rural Recreation Communities
When: Wednesday, February 15, 2 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register Here
Details: The Environmental Protection Agency Office of Community Revitalization, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA-RD), and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are hosting a webinar that will address housing in gateway communities. The webinar will highlight federal resources and private sector strategies that help communities leverage their outdoor recreation and tourism venues to address housing solutions and improve economic resilience.
White House Rural Stakeholders Call
When: Thursday, February 2, 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: You are invited to join the White House Rural Stakeholders Call. This is a recurring call every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
|
|
|
EDD Community of Practice
Spotlight
|
Registration Now Open for “An Afternoon with the Districts,” Scheduled for March 15 Following the NADO Washington Conference
The NADO Research Foundation is pleased to announce it will host “An Afternoon with the Districts” this year following NADO’s Washington Policy Conference. Please join us on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from noon to 5 p.m. ET at the Crystal City Marriott (the conference hotel) for an afternoon of training, networking, and sharing best practices among EDDs and other key partners. Inspired by previous years’ successful “An Afternoon with the CEDS” meetings, this event is delivered as part of the EDA-funded Economic Development District Community of Practice that was launched in late 2022. The event is free to attend, but separate registration is required. Click here for more information, a draft agenda, and to register. Contact Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@nado.org with any questions.
NADO RF Launches “EDDs in Action” Case Studies Series
NADO RF has created the “EDDs in Action” Case Studies Series to demonstrate the wide breadth of programs, projects, and initiatives EDDs support and implement to improve their regions, making them more resilient, prosperous, and better prepared for the future. The first three case studies focus on digital inclusion initiatives, post-disaster housing, and supporting small farmers; additional case studies will be added regularly. Click here to access the series.
Recording and Slides Available from Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Webinar
The recording and slides from this week’s webinar “Plugging Into the Future of EV Infrastructure” are now available. This webinar showcased available funding, capacity building opportunities, and resources available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) at the Department of Transportation and Department of Energy to support electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Click here to access the recording and slides.
Webinar: Data Deep Dive for EDDs: A Closer Look at Argonne National Laboratory’s NERDE and EDCI Tools
When: Tuesday, February 14, 1-2 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: Join the NADO Research Foundation and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) for a webinar designed specifically for Economic Development District staff to explore two new data tools. With funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, ANL’s National Economic Research and Resilience Center hosts the National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE) and the Economic Development Capacity Index (EDCI). During this webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about these tools and how they can be utilized to support your CEDS and regional planning efforts, see live demos of the tools, and ask questions.
|
|
|
Funding Opportunities
& Resources
|
|
New! Pre-Application Workshop: FY2023 INSPIRE Initiative
When: Wednesday, February 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) released a request for proposals for FY2023 INSPIRE Initiative planning and implementation grants to support projects that create or expand a recovery ecosystem that lead to workforce (re)entry for individuals recovering from substance-use disorders. Eligible applicants include local development districts (LDDs) that serve ARC counties. Letters of intent is due February 21, 2023.
DOE Releases Guidebook on Solar Power in Your Community
The US Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Power in Your Community guidebook serves as a resource to assist government officials and stakeholders in increasing deployment and local access to solar photovoltaics. Through diverse case studies, information about new technologies, and more, gain invaluable insight and strategies for improving the equity of solar deployment at the local level.
DOT Releases Grant Preparation Checklist for Discretionary Funds
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) released the 2023 Discretionary Grant Preparation Checklist for prospective applicants to help local governments prepare for the year ahead. This resource creates a strategic pathway to take advantage of historic infrastructure investments to facilitate projects.
USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program
The application window is open for the USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Through competitive grants, RBDG provides technical assistance, training, and other enterprise support to small businesses in rural communities. Grants generally range from $10,000 up to $500,000 and there is no cost share requirement. Applications are accepted through February 28.
|
|
|
Advocacy Updates
& Legislative News
|
New Committee Leadership Named for the 118th Congress
Key Committee Chairs and Ranking Members have been named for the 118th Congress. Notable changes include new leadership on the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Patty Murry (D-WA) becoming the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) becoming the Ranking Member, as both Senator Leahy and Senator Shelby begin their retirements. On the House Appropriations Committee, roles swap as a result of the balance of power changing in the House, with Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) becoming the House Appropriations Committee Chair and Representative Rosa DeLaura (D-CT) becoming the Ranking Member. Additionally, other notable House leadership changes include Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) becoming Chair of the House Agriculture Committee and Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) becoming Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
|
|
|
Opportunities &
Job Openings
|
Washington, DC | Communications Manager
NADO is seeking a Communications Manager to coordinate messaging and outreach activities and to support communications deliverables for various grant-funded programs. For more information, click here.
Dothan, AL | Chief Financial Officer
The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to direct all financial activities and systems of the organization. The position will work closely with the Executive Director on strategic initiatives and fiscal policy matters. For more information, click here.
|
|
|
2023 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 12-15, 2023
Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 20022
Denver Regional Economic Development Conference
April 10-12, 2023
The Curtis Double Tree by Hilton
1405 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
Southwest Region Economic Development Association (SWREDA) Annual Conference
May 3-6, 2023
Double Tree by Hilton New Orleans
300 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
NADO Board of Directors Meeting
June 26-28, 2023
Sheraton Park City
1895 Sidewinder Drive, Park City, UT 84060
NADO Annual Training Conference
November 7-10, 2023
Hilton Cleveland Downtown
100 Lakeside Avenue East, Cleveland, OH 44114
The views and opinions expressed by other organizations or outside publications referenced in NADO News do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the National Association of Development Organizations or its members.
|
|
|
|
