Registration Open 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.
NADO Leadership Seeks Volunteers to Assist with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ideas
In recent months, NADO’s Executive Committee members have been discussing our organization’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion given the evolving change in leadership in many regional development organizations. To assist with this examination, NADO President Chris Fetzer is establishing a working group to help guide this process and provide recommendations to NADO’s leadership on how to proactive in our approach, including identifying and promoting resources that can help regional development organizations who are addressing this issue. If you have an interest in serving on the Working Group, please email Executive Director Joe McKinney at jmckinney@nado.org. The Working Group will consist of one NADO Board member and one non-Board member from each of the six regions. The commitment would involve several remote meetings and a possible in-person meeting in Washington, DC. All travel expenses would be paid by NADO. Please submit your nominations by Friday, January 27. If you nominate someone other than yourself, please make sure that person is willing to serve.
Share Information on Regional Transportation Activities with NADO RF
RDOs, RTPOs, and smaller MPOs are asked to help shape the research and training efforts that the NADO Research Foundation is conducting in 2023 with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or other funders. Please complete this query, which should take 15 minutes or less, to share information on regional transportation activities, transportation and environment, technology, and regional priorities and professional development needs.
Peer Knowledge Exchange- New Executive Director Profiles Available
Three new Executive Director profiles have been published in the Executive Director Profile Series. Read about the different paths Randy Kelley, Geri Gamber and Lynne Keller Forbes took to grow their organizations, build partnerships, and support their communities. Funded by the Stronger Districts Stronger Regions project, this series is designed to help readers learn from peers and Executive Directors as they share lessons learned and strategies for addressing the many challenges they’ve faced.
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.
Census Bureau Releases List of Urban Areas
On December 29, the Census Bureau released its new list of Urban Areas, following the 2020 Census. For more detailed information, including urban-rural classification criteria and lists of all urban areas, new urban areas, and areas previously classified as urban that are now rural, view the Census Urban and Rural web page. Also see analysis (PDF) from CTAA on how rural and urban classification affects transit, and information from FHWA on urban area implications for regional transportation planning here.
White House Rural Stakeholders Call
When: Thursday, January 12, 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: You are invited to join the White House Rural Stakeholders Call. The USDA's Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux and Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Dr. Karama Neal will discuss recent work to improve conditions for producers with high costs due to the pandemic. This is a recurring call every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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Events, Conferences
& Online Training
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Webinar Series: Technical Assistance for Energy Communities
When: January 17, and 24 (All 1-2 p.m. ET)
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization (Energy Communities IWG) is hosting a three-part webinar series highlighting federal and non-federal technical assistance opportunities to benefit energy communities. The first two webinars will focus on federal programs, like the thriving communities and environmental justice programs led by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency. The third webinar will explore non-federal opportunities for technical assistance.
Webinar: Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation
When: Thursday, January 19, 1 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: Join Esri for an interactive webinar introducing the new Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaption (CMRA) portal tool, recently released by the White House, NOAA, and the Department of Interior. This tool integrates information from across the federal government to help understand climate-related hazards; help develop equitable resilience plans and investments; and identify federal grant funding.
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.
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EDD Community of Practice
Spotlight
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Save the Date! “An Afternoon with the EDDs” Scheduled for March 15 Following the NADO Washington Conference
The NADO Research Foundation is pleased to announce it will host “An Afternoon with the EDDs” 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 will be required. Registration and a draft agenda will be available in mid-January. Contact Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@nado.org with any questions.
Webinar: Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities: Where to Start in Your Community?
When: Thursday, January 26, 2023, 3 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: Join NACo for the first virtual convening of the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) National Network series. This session is designed to help coal communities in visioning and planning for resilient economies. Participants will hear a case example from Southeastern Montana Development Corporation and learn about resources and assistance available from the Appalachian Regional Commission and U.S. Department of Energy.
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Funding Opportunities
& Resources
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New Manufactured Housing Resources from NeighborWorks America
Manufactured housing represents a potential untapped, affordable housing solution in communities across the country. NeighborWorks America and Next Step, Inc. partnered together to develop "Manufactured Housing: A Resource for Engaging Nonprofit Boards and Community Stakeholders" to address this challenge and help organizations advance manufactured housing programs as well as two PowerPoint presentations that can help talk about manufactured housing and its benefits to different audiences. Click here to access these resources.
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 28th, 2023.
White House, DOT on Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook
The White House has shared the Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook addressing clean energy, climate resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related tax incentives. For each program, the guide identifies the federal funding agency, as well as eligible applicants. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a calendar of anticipated dates that Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for major funding programs will be released in 2023. To help potential applicants prepare for these opportunities, DOT also developed a Discretionary Grant Preparation Checklist.
USDOT Announces 2023 RAISE Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced that applications are open for a new round of Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grants. Applicants must submit applications by February 28, 2023. Projects focusing on areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities will receive preference.
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Advocacy Updates
& Legislative News
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Congressional Office Buildings Reopen to the Public
Congressional office buildings are in the process of reopening to the general public, Previously, due to pandemic-related restrictions and security concerns, Congressional office buildings had been closed to the general public and required staff escorts to the gallery. While these restrictions are slated to be lifted, visitors will still be subject to security screenings.
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Opportunities &
Job Openings
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NADO Seeks Request for Proposals to Assist Rural Transportation Efforts through RPO America
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) is accepting proposals from organizations to provide consulting to assist in the coordination of RPO America, a NADO affiliate organization which serves as the national professional association for regional and rural transportation planning professionals, practitioners, and other interested stakeholders. RPO America was formed in 2006 and is led by a national RPO Council of Peers. The RPO Council provides advice, input, and ideas to the NADO Board of Directors, transportation policy task force and management. Our goal in this engagement is to strengthen our professional development offerings and better organize and support the Council of Peers. We invite your institution and organization to submit a proposal to us by January 31. A description of our organization, the services needed, and other pertinent information can be found here.
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.
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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
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.
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