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Apply by June 30 to Host a Fellow through the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Program
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), in partnership with the NADO Research Foundation (NADO RF) and other national organizations, recently launched the inaugural Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program. For more information, visit the ERC Host Application webpage and view this recent webinar recording. Questions? Contact Brett Schwartz or Jack Morgan.
Share Your Successes: Apply for an Excellence in Regional Transportation Award by June 24
NADO members are encouraged to submit plans, projects, and programs on transportation-related topics for consideration for NADO and RPO America’s Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards program that honors noteworthy projects and practices in rural, small metropolitan, and larger areas. Winning organizations will be recognized during a networking reception at the National Rural Road Safety Summit in September.
2023 NADO Impact Awards Application Window to Open in June
Each year, NADO recognizes member organizations that demonstrate valuable and effective approaches to regional economic and community development through our Impact Awards program. Applications for this year’s awards will be accepted beginning in mid-June. More details and information will be made available in the coming weeks. Contact Brett Schwartz with any questions.
SaveYour.Town Releases Results of its 2023 Survey of Rural Challenges
To find out what rural people felt were their biggest challenges, SaveYour.Town and SmallBizSurvival.com surveyed 315 rural people from the US, Canada, and Australia between November 2022 and January 2023. Click here to view the results of the fifth edition of the Survey of Rural Challenges.
NADO RF Seeks Applicants for Advisory Committee
NADO RF is currently seeking applicants from the NADO East, Midwest, and Associate chapters to serve on the NADO RF Advisory Committee. The NADO RF Advisory Committee works with leadership and staff to identify issues and topics of relevance and concern to NADO members. The Committee generally meets two times per year. Additional meetings will occur virtually, generally three times a year. Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 19. Learn more on NADO's website.
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Advocacy & Legislative Updates
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Debt Ceiling Negotiations Continue
President Biden met with key congressional members on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a plan to increase the debt ceiling, the cap on how much debt the federal government is allowed to accumulate. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that the United States could default on its debt as early as June 1 if a deal to raise the debt ceiling is not reached by then. Congressional leaders will continue negotiations with White House officials this coming week.
 Advocacy Fly-In Report Now Available
Visit NADO's website to view a complete summary of NADO's 2023 Executive Committee Advocacy Fly-In that was held in April. NADO's six-person Executive Committee spent three days meeting with leadership and staff from numerous federal agencies, House and Senate staff on Capitol Hill, leadership from other national associations, and officials at the White House.
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Events, Conferences
& Online Training
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Webinar: May USDOT Navigator Webinar
When: Monday, May 22, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register Here
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is hosting an informational webinar highlighting the USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard that was created to help stakeholders identify federal transportation grant opportunities. Scheduled speakers include Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Christopher Coes, Michael Close from the ROUTES Initiative, Corral Torres Cruz from FHWA, and Mariia Zimmerman from the Office of the Secretary.
Virtual Conference: 2023 Placemaking in Small & Rural Communities Conference
When: Tuesday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Kentucky will host the second year of an online conference focused on expanding access to placemaking resources for people in rural America.
Webinar: EDA-Supported Revolving Loan Fund Community of Practice
The National Development Council will host three opportunities to watch an informational presentation about the Community of Practice (CoP). Choose one session to attend and learn more about the CoP, walk through a RLF social portal, provide feedback about the content you want to see, connect with your peers, and apply to join one of the training cohorts. Each session will be held at 1 p.m. ET.
Webinar: Equitable Approaches to Housing
When: Wednesday, June 7, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual | Register here
Developing and implementing housing plans and resources with equity and inclusion at the forefront is vital to creating lasting and positive impact in communities. Fourth Economy assembled a panel of housing leaders to discuss what's missing in the communities they serve, why these barriers exist, who is being impacted, and what mechanisms can be used to help tackle these issues.
Conference: National Summit on Rural Road Safety
When: September 12-14, 2023
Where: Oklahoma City, OK
NADO members and stakeholders are encouraged to hold the date for the National Summit on Rural Road Safety, hosted by National Center for Rural Road Safety and NADO. This year, NADO's National Regional Transportation Conference is combined with the National Summit on Rural Road Safety. Registration opens soon.
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EDD Community of Practice
Spotlight
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New Case Studies Added to “EDDs in Action” Series
NADO Research Foundation (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. Recently added case studies highlight EDD projects on hazard mitigation planning, park redevelopment, resilience and recovery, and communications. Additional case studies will be added regularly. Click here to access the series.
Recording Available from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Webinar for EDDs
In support of the EDD CoP, the National Association of Regional Councils recently hosted a webinar with Trent Frazier, Deputy Assistant Director for the Stakeholder Engagement Division of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In the webinar, Frazier discussed what CISA resources and materials are available to EDDs. View the recording here.
Updated CEDS Content Guidelines Resource Handbook from NADO RF
In response to EDA's recent updates to its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Content Guidelines, NADO RF has posted a CEDS Update Resource Handbook with resources and examples to support Economic Development Districts as they engage with stakeholders in their regions around the new topic areas added to the CEDS Content Guidelines (equity, climate resilience, and workforce development). Click here to access the Handbook.
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Funding Opportunities
& Resources
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New USDA Rural Energy Programs
On Tuesday, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of nearly $11 billion in grants and loan opportunities to help rural energy and utility providers bring affordable clean energy to communities. Funding will be available through two new programs under the Inflation Reduction Act: the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program and the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. USDA will accept Letters of Interest from June 30 to September 29 for the PACE program and from July 31 to August 31 for the New ERA program. To view the live announcement click here and to view the press release click here.
Responses Requested: Public Engagement for Transportation Agencies
A volunteer research team is soliciting responses about current public involvement practices from every state and regional transportation organization in the U.S. with the results to be used in a research report. Click here to learn more and take the survey by June 12.
New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) Launches Recovery Toolkit
NGIN launched Elevating Equity in Economic Development: An Inclusive Recovery Toolkit, which is presented as both an online interactive toolkit and in-depth downloadable guide. It features Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion modules with illustrative best practices (including from EDDs) and recommendations to get started. The guide includes resources tailored for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies and serves as a reference when planning for inclusive economic growth.
Equitable Community Planning Toolkit
The Fourth Economy Equitable Community Planning Toolkit contains resources developed to help leaders progress through their equitable planning goals and actions. The toolkit is designed to help implement equitable community planning practices by taking a holistic approach to understanding opportunities and issues.
Updated Rural EV Infrastructure Toolkit Now Available
The USDOT released an update to the Rural Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Toolkit. The update includes new information from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act along with greater focus on Tribal communities and expanded content on electric transit, micromobility, and accessible design. Read more on the DOT's website.
EDA Announces University Center Program Funding Opportunity
The EDA has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the University Center Economic Development program. The EDA Austin and Denver Regions, including higher education institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Learn more.
USDOT Grants and Technical Assistance Navigator Tool
The USDOT recently launched the DOT Navigator, a new online resource designed to help communities identify federal grant and technical assistance opportunities. The DOT Navigator tool includes a searchable database of technical assistance opportunities as well as a variety of grant application resources.
The AIEI Releases an Investment Playbook for Rural Areas
The Appalachian Investment Ecosystem Initiative (AIEI) released a resource playbook on investments and economic development opportunities in rural areas. The playbook focuses on Appalachia, but is applicable to any region.
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Opportunities &
Job Openings
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RFP for Marine Ferry Services
NADO RF seeks proposals from qualified vendors for consulting planning services to be provided to a region of Alaska as part of a publicly funded research project. Any interested parties can review the RFP details online. All responses to this opportunity should be submitted electronically to transportation@nado.org by June 15, 2023.
Springfield, MA | Planner/Project Manager
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is seeking a Planner/Project Manager for the Community Development Department. Under general supervision, this position will perform a wide variety of professional work in relation to regional planning, with an emphasis in grant writing for and implementing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, infrastructure planning, and other related planning and project management as needed. For more details, click here.
Washington, D.C. | Administrative Specialist
NADO is seeking an Administrative Specialist to join our Washington, D.C.-based office. The Administrative Specialist works closely with NADO and NADO RF staff to support the organization's day-to-day operations by performing various administrative tasks. For more details, click here.
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NADO Board of Directors Meeting
June 26-28, 2023
Sheraton Park City
1895 Sidewinder Drive, Park City, UT
National Summit for Rural Road Safety
September 12-14, 2023
Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel
1 North Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
NADO Annual Training Conference
November 7-10, 2023
Hilton Cleveland Downtown
100 Lakeside Avenue East, Cleveland, OH
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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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