Innovation Matters Education Opportunities 2/28/2020

Publications

USDA and EPA Announce Continued Commitment to Support Rural Water Systems
USDA announced a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will help rural water systems face the challenges of aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, limited management capacity and declining rate bases. Through this MOA, USDA and EPA will conduct joint activities to help rural water systems continue to provide access to safe drinking water.

USA Opportunity Zones
U.S. Economic Development Administration provides this new web-based tool to assist more than 390 EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDDs) across the nation, as well as local economic and community developers and investors, target private investment to economically-distressed areas where private investment may be eligible for capital gain tax incentives under the Opportunity Zones initiative.

Rural Voices: Hope After Disaster: Rural Resilience and Recovery
The Housing Assistance Council provides perspectives on disaster recovery contributed by entities ranging from local housing organizations to national lenders and offers resources for affected families, lessons learned and policy solutions.

Low-income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory provide this tool to help states, communities and other stakeholders create better energy strategies and programs by improving their understanding of low-income housing and energy characteristics.

Event Opportunities

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program Webinar
March 3 | Virtual
This webinar will inform participants about the major eligibility and regulatory requirements of the program and will provide detailed guidance on how to submit a successful grant application.

Department of Energy's LEAD Tool Enhanced Features Webinar
March 4 | Virtual
The Low-income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has been enhanced with new features and capabilities. DOE has made updates based on feedback from stakeholders about ways to increase the functionality of the tool.

Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) Webinar
March 12 | Virtual
Learn how to apply to receive SECD funding for rural projects that support regional economic and community development planning.

The Council of Development Finance Agencies Federal Policy Conference
April 14-15 | Washington, DC
This conference will feature development finance experts and practitioners from key federal agencies, congressional offices, and policy organizations and will feature an opportunity for attendees to network.

Innovation Matters Education Opportunities 2/11/2020

Innovation Matters Education Opportunities 1/28/2020

Innovation Matters, Educational Opportunities 1/21/2020

Publications

CORI Rural Opportunity Map
The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) offers various mapping resources for rural leaders, community members, funders, and investors to understand the landscape and identify opportunities and strategies to achieve sustainable economic success in small town Rural America. Tutorial.

Tribal Leaders Handbook on Homeownership
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ Center for Indian Country Development offers this resource guide for tribal leaders outlining homeownership tips and tools to increase homeownership to assist in community asset building, economic development, and community transformation.

Innovation is Widespread in Rural Areas, Not Just Cities 
A comprehensive measure developed at the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development shows that innovation is widespread even in rural places not typically thought of as innovative.

Enhanced Federal Information Sharing on Coordination Could Improve Rural Transit Services
Government Accountability Office report details the Federal Transit Administration's efforts in improving rural public transit coordination and identifies areas for improvement.

Should Your Nonprofit Build an Endowment?
This Nonprofit Quarterly publication offers pros and cons for non-profit organizations to consider when pondering cultivating an endowment.  

Event Opportunities

Mid-America Workforce Summit
January 22 – 23 | Topeka, KS
An annual forum for community leaders and chamber representatives, legislators and government officials, employers, educators, and local workforce board members to take action to address the new realities facing the workforce and economic development issues in the midwestern region of the United States.

2020 Agricultural Outlook Forum
February 20-21 | Arlington, VA
This year’s plenary panel and several breakout sessions will focus on science and innovation as a driving force with the future growth as well as challenges facing farmers.

CDFA Federal Policy Conference
April 14-15 | Washington, DC
The Council of Development Finance Agencies Federal Policy Conference will feature development finance experts and practitioners from key federal agencies, congressional offices, and policy organizations and will feature an opportunity for attendees to network. A kickoff workshop will focus on federal grant application writing.