Publications

Teleworking and Accessibility Resource Guide
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology launched a Telework and Accessibility resource page. The resources provide information to help employers ensure that digital communications and platforms are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Federal Emergency Management Agency: Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting
This guidance summarizes how organizations should consider and manage their personal protective equipment needs while ensuring the protection of workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response.

Minority Business and Technology Initiative
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency announced this new collaboration with Amazon Business that will help thousands of minority entrepreneurs expand their businesses globally and increase sales exponentially through e-commerce technology.

ChooseMyPlate
This guide contains information on food planning, including what to buy, how much to buy, and preparation tips.

Growing Through Rural Partnerships
The Western Governors Association highlights how partnerships are vital to promote economic development in rural communities.

Event Opportunities

Rural Energy Savings Program Webinar
April 29 | Webinar
USDA Rural Development offers a webinar to support potential applicants for Rural Energy Savings Program funding where qualified utilities and similar intermediaries can provide loans to rural families and small businesses to help them reduce energy costs and make energy efficiency improvements.

"How Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Can Support Workers Facing Economic Challenges"
April 29 | Webinar
The LEAD Center, a project of the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, hosts this webinar to provide information, financial tools, and strategies that individuals and workforce professionals can use immediately in response to economic challenges.

National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health Rural Health Data Institute
May 12 to June 30 | Webinar Series
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health will host a series of weekly webinars to demonstrate collect and clean up data and analyze it. The institute is open to rural health professionals, including clinical, administrative, and academic personnel. Register by May 1. 

USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program Information
May 5 | Webinar USDA Rural Development will host a webinar on how to apply to the second application window of FY 2020 for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program.

Publications

Protecting Your Finances During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Consumer Protection Financial Bureau and other Federal regulators ban together and offer critical resources to the public to protect and manage finances during this difficult time of COVID-19.

Novel Coronavirus Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a collection of COVID-19-related websites and documents prepared by the Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE), including technical assistance responses, infectious disease resources, and topic collections.

NIST Funding Manufacturing Institutes to Support Pandemic Response
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces they have opened a funding opportunity for rapid, high-impact projects that support the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will award these grants through the NIST Manufacturing USA National Emergency Assistance Program with no requirements for cost matching.

Peer Grant Reviewer Opportunity
USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement seeks panelists to review the Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (2501) Program applications. For additional information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call 202-720-6350

Event Opportunities

Regional Food System Partnerships Program Webinar
April 22 | Webinar
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service webinar to learn about this program to support partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems.

Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program
April 23 | Webinar
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service webinar to learn about the program and application process for funding to support the development, coordination and expansion of local and regional food markets, enterprises and producer-to-consumer marketing.

Marketing Advice to Combat an Economic Downturn
April 28 | Webinar
SCORE, supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, offers marketing tips to re-generate businesses. 

Rural Energy Savings Program Webinar
April 29 | Webinar
USDA Rural Development offers a webinar to support potential applicants for RESP Funding where qualified utilities and similar intermediaries can provide loans to rural families and small businesses to help them reduce energy costs and make energy efficiency improvements.

Newsletters, websites and emails from which we gather this information include:

• USDA Rural Development’s full Catalog of Programs
• Grants.gov
• Foundation Center
• The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
• Pew Research Center
• Philanthropy News Digest 
• Rural LISC e-newsletter
• National Association of Development Organizations

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Webpage: usda.gov/rdinnovation

www.rd.usda.gov

SUBSCRIBE