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 Serve on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group
The NADO Executive Committee has begun an examination designed to expand NADO’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. NADO President Chris Fetzer is establishing a working group to help guide this process and provide recommendations to NADO’s leadership. The Working Group will explore proactive approaches and resources to assist both NADO as well as regional development organizations in addressing diversity within their own organizations. 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 will involve several remote meetings and a possible in-person meeting in Washington, DC. All travel expenses will 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.
Webinar: Two-Year Anniversary of the Biden-Harris Administration
When: Friday, January 20, 10:30 a.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register Here
Details: This week marks the two year anniversary of the Biden-Harris Administration. This webinar will feature senior White House officials to highlight the administration's work on economic progress, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and other policy achievements.
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Events, Conferences
& Online Training
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Webinar Series: Technical Assistance for Energy Communities
When: Tuesday, January 24, 1 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 webinar highlighting federal and non-federal technical assistance opportunities to benefit energy communities. This webinar will explore non-federal opportunities for technical assistance.
Webinar: Non-Powered Dam Opportunities — NPD HYDRO Tool Demonstration
When: Thursday, January 26, 1 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: Join researchers from Idaho National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for a demonstration of their new NPD HYDRO Tool. This tool allows users to identify and prioritize opportunities for adding power generation and energy storage to existing non-powered dams. Learn how it could benefit potential users, offer feedback on the tool, and learn about what could come next in this work.
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: 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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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.
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.
Webinar: Plugging Into the Future of EV Infrastructure: Opportunities for Economic Development Districts and Regional Organizations
When: Tuesday, January 31, 2-3 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: The NADO Research Foundation is pleased to host an upcoming webinar for Economic Development Districts (EDDs) and regional organizations that will showcase available funding, capacity building opportunities, and resources available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Energy (DOE) to support electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
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Funding Opportunities
& Resources
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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.
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. 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 Request for Proposals | RPO America
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 organization to submit a proposal to us by January 31.
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.
Remote | Grant Application Reviewers
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) is issuing a call for qualified reviewers to serve as Grant Application Reviewers for the FY 2023 application round of the Capital Magnet Fund Program. Through the Capital Magnet Fund, the CDFI Fund competitively awards funds to CDFIs and qualified non-profit housing organizations. For more information, click here.
Destin, FL | Planner III
The Emerald Coast Regional Council is seeking a Planner III to perform senior-level and experienced professional planning work. This position works to develop planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs and regulations. For more information, click here.
Columbus, GA | Regional Planner
The River Valley Regional Commission is seeking a Regional Planner to assist with local government comprehensive planning, zoning/land use and resource planning, economic development, grant writing, and special projects as assigned. For more information, please email resume@rivervalleyrc.org.
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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
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.
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