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.
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.
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.
House Select Committee Releases Final Report on Economic Security
The House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth produced a final report, "Bridging the Divide: Building an Economy that Works for All,” focused on prioritizing investments in individuals, building and supporting communities, and dismantling structural barriers hindering opportunity and growth. The Committee also produced an accompanying documentary titled “Grit and Grace: The Fight for the American Dream,” narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker. NADO member Cheryal Lee Hills previously testified before the committee, and is featured in the report.
Opportunity to Challenge New FCC National Broadband Map
On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shared its new draft National Broadband Map which was created as a result of legislation in 2020. The new map shows broadband availability at a more granular level, compared with the FCC’s prior map that was based on the Census block level. Regional organizations are encouraged to review the map for accuracy in your organization's service area and submit challenges to the data. The map data will be used to allocate some federal broadband funding. Further analysis is available here. A recorded webinar on this topic hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) featuring experts from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) and the FCC is available here.
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.
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Events, Conferences
& Online Training
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Webinar Series: Technical Assistance for Energy Communities
When: January 10, 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 TA programs including READY Appalachia and Rural Partners Network, as well as 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: Financial Benchmarking for Small Water and Wastewater Systems
When: Thursday, January 12, 1-2 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: This webinar hosted by the Environmental Finance Center Network will discuss how to think about water and wastewater systems as a financial entity and will examine the key financial indicators that allow systems to make informed decisions in planning and investment. Participants will learn how to calculate and interpret a system’s operating ratio, debt service coverage ratio, current ratio, and days of cash on hand.
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: Charging Forward - Revitalizing Underutilized Sites into EV Charging Stations
When: Tuesday, January 24, 2 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Details: The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ICF, and East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) will host a webinar on the value of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and available grant programs to transform underutilized and potentially contaminated sites into EV charging stations.
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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.
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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 Releases Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook
The White House has released the first edition of a new resource titled Building a Clean Energy Economy: A Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Investments in Clean Energy and Climate Action. The Guidebook walks through the law program-by-program and provides descriptions of the law’s tax incentives and funding programs to build a clean energy economy, lower energy costs, and tackle climate change. View the Guidebook in full here.
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.
Harvard Launches a New Online Hub
Harvard’s Government Performance Lab has launched the Procurement Excellence Network (PEN), a free online hub and collaboration space for government leaders to access resources, learn best practices, and find community as they transform procurement in their jurisdictions.
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Advocacy Updates
& Legislative News
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Omnibus Spending Bill Passes
Last week, Congressional leaders passed the FY23 omnibus spending bill to keep the government funded through the end of FY23. Among many other provisions, the omnibus bill contains a total of $1.6 billion in funding for the U.S. Economic Development Administration, including $498 million for FY23 appropriations, plus more than $1 billion in disaster supplemental assistance and new programs.
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Opportunities &
Job Openings
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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.
Washington, DC/Remote | Researcher/Writer
NADO is seeking a Researcher/Writer to implement a workplan of qualitative research, writing, and training activities in support of the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP). Responsibilities include researching and writing case studies, issue briefs, and reports on varied topics in economic development. 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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