Economic Development Digest |
|
Economic Development News |
|
Gulf Coast Economic Development District Board Meeting |
|
Join the Gulf Coast Economic Development District (GCEDD) on Friday, January 14 for the quarterly board meeting. We will see presentations from many partners such as UH - Bauer, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, Small Business Development Center, and others. For more information contact Darryl Briscoe. Register here.
|
|
Bringing Back Main Street |
|
Save the date for the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2022. At this workshop, we will explore Building Downtowns from Scratch and discuss how to strategically plan for and implement downtown gathering spaces. Jeff Taebel, FAICP, Director of Community and Environmental Planning at H-GAC, and Rick Leisner, AICP, Principal at Norris Design, will share information about the benefits of building a downtown and strategies for getting started. Both presenters will take questions from the audience during an Ask the Expert Roundtable, so bring your questions, challenges, and success stories to share. For more information, contact Sarah Torresen. Register here.
|
|
Expansion of Qualified Private Activity Bond Categories Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act |
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act amends the tax-exempt bond provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to enhance the financing options available to state and local governments to address the highlighted infrastructure needs. Specifically, the package adds two new categories of exempt facility private activity bonds (PABs) and additional volume cap for transportation PABs. Learn more.
|
|
Manufactured Housing Pilots Renewed |
On November 30, 2021, US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Unnumbered Letter (UL) has been issued to renew two manufactured housing pilots, which remain largely unchanged from the previous UL. The first pilot involves financing existing manufactured homes. The second pilot involves the ownership requirement for new energy-efficient manufactured and modular homes in land-lease communities operating on a nonprofit basis. Learn more.
|
|
Join Assistant Secretary Alejandra Castillo for an Expert Panel Discussion about the Good Jobs Challenge
|
In advance of the Good Jobs Challenge program deadline, the US Economic Development Administration continues to provide resources and technical assistance for applicants to enhance their proposals. On Friday, December 17, US Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Alejandra Castillo will host a session focusing on employer engagement and sectoral partnership strategies. Register here.
|
|
International Economic Development Council Webinar Series |
Join the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) throughout 2022 for a year's worth of online professional development on emerging topics and trends from the profession's leading voices. IEDC's 2022 webinar series offers 12 webinars on a broad range of topics, including outdoor recreation, multimedia production, partnerships, innovation, rural attraction, and more. Register here.
|
|
Equity in Economic Development Fellowship Program |
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), with the goal of continuing to invest in and elevate the field of economic development, announces the launch of the Equity in Economic Development Fellowship Program in 2022. IEDC invites applications from Economic Development Organizations to participate in this new and purposeful 10-week program to host fellows between May and August of 2022. Register here.
|
|
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
Opens: Monday, December 20, 2021
The United State Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) is soliciting applications to fund two types of grants. (1) Community Food Projects (CFP) and (2) Planning Projects. The purpose of the CFP is to support the development of projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. CFPs are designed to create community-based food projects with objectives, activities, and outcomes that are in alignment with the CFPCGP primary goals. The purpose of a Planning Project is to complete a plan toward the improvement of community food security in keeping with the primary goals of the CFPCGP. Projects and plans are to focus on a defined community and describe in detail the activities and outcomes of the plan or project. Learn more.
DOC RESTORE Act Direct Component—Construction and Non-Construction Activities, Gulf Coast Restoration
Deadline: December 31, 2021
U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has extended the deadline for Gulf Coast Restoration projects. This announcement applies only to the Direct Component, for eligible construction and non-construction activities, including projects with or without a non-federal share for another federally funded project. This announcement also includes planning assistance needed to prepare the Multiyear Implementation Plan (Multiyear Plan) required by the RESTORE Act. Learn more.
Community Development Partnership Program
Deadline: January 31, 2021
The Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP) from the Lower Colorado River Authority accepts applications for community improvement capital projects for organizations in all or part of Austin, Colorado, Harris, Matagorda, Waller, and Wharton counties in the H-GAC region. CDPP grants are awarded twice a year for capital projects for volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, cities and counties, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums, and other nonprofit organizations. The projects must benefit or be available to an entire community and must improve the value of a capital asset by building, renovating, or purchasing equipment. Learn more.
Workshop - Multi-Family Housing Non-Profit Transfer Technical Assistance Grant Program
Information session: January 5, 2022
Deadline: February 8, 2022
US Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD) published a Notice of Funding Availability in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021, announcing $3 million in grant funding for technical assistance to facilitate the transfer and preservation of existing Section 515 Rural Rental Housing. Grantees will assist non-profits and public housing agencies seeking to acquire and preserve Rural Development Multi-Family Housing projects. USDA RD staff will provide an overview of the Multi-Family Housing Non-Profit Transfer Technical Assistance Grant program during a webinar on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Register here.
Agricultural Water Conservation Grants Program
Deadline: February 9, 2022
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2022 Agricultural Water Conservation Grants. Up to $1,200,000 in grant funding is available to eligible political subdivisions and state agencies for agricultural water conservation projects that improve irrigation efficiency, enhance resilience to weather extremes and climate variability, and promote innovation in agriculture. Learn more.
USDA ReConnect Program Broadband Funding Opportunity
Deadline: February 22, 2022
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the FY 2022 Rural eConnectivity Program (the ReConnect Program). This program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. USDA plans to make available up to $200 million in ReConnect Program loans, up to $250 million in loan/grant combinations, up to $350 million in grants with a matching requirement, and up to $350 million in grants with no matching requirement for projects in tribal and socially vulnerable communities. Learn more.
EDA Public Works Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
US Economic Development Administration (EDA) supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States by fostering job creation and attracting private investment. These Public Works Grants help communities build the infrastructure they need to support job growth and private investment. If you have an economic development infrastructure need in your community, contact Darryl Briscoe. Learn more.
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development provides funding to construct, enlarge, or improve essential community facilities in rural areas. Rural communities can use these funds to build or modernize schools, health care clinics, libraries, and public safety facilities. Learn more.
EPA Brownfield Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has grants available for cleaning up brownfields in your community. Brownfields are properties that have been contaminated by pollutants or hazardous waste. The EPA offers Area-Wide Planning Grants, Assessment Grants, Revolving Loan Fund Grants, Cleanup Grants, Multipurpose Grants, and Job Training Grants. Learn more.
USDA Rural Energy for America Program
Deadline: January 31, 2022, and March 31, 2022
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for loan guarantees and grants for renewable energy systems; and to make energy efficiency improvements, conduct energy audits and provide development assistance. Funds are being made available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The deadlines to apply for grants are October 31, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Applications for technical assistance grants are due in January. 31, 2022. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round. Learn more.
|
|
H-GAC has compiled regional economic indicators for the 13-county region, including monthly and yearly changes in unemployment rates, single and multi-family permits, and sales tax receipts. Download the PDF.
For more regional economic data visit:
|
|
Shipley Do-Nuts broke ground on its headquarters last month. The two-story, 60,000 SF development will be located near Cullen Blvd and Gulf Freeway. Headquarters will be named the L. W. “Bud” Shipley Jr. Support Center.
New Hope Housing broke ground on a multi-family development in southwest Houston. NHH Savoy will be located at 6315 Savoy St and consist of 120 units. The project is expected to open in 2023.
The Park on Napoli is underway off State Highway 249 near Willowbrook Mall and the Vintage Park shopping center. The 239-unit will be located at 13802 Napoli Dr near Cypresswood Drive. The multifamily project will be completed in 2023.
Kilgore Grand Parkway is planned on 33.9 acres near the Port of Houston. The 522,135 SF industrial project will be completed in 2022.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Memorial Villages broke ground at the corner of Interstate 10 and Campbell Road. The five-story, 126,113 SF medical office building is expected to open next summer.
A multi-family development is planned on 18 acres at FM 2920 and Tomball Cemetery Road. The project will consist of 360-units.
Three 12-story apartments towers are planned on a 6.6 parcel in the Ten Oaks property, next to another planned multi-family complex, The Vic on Park Row. The project will total 576 units and they are expected to be ready in February 2024. The Vic on Park Row will consist of 363 units.
|
|
Webinars:
January 26 | How to Attract Big Talent to Small Cities by Promoting Quality of Life | TEDC
Conferences:
January 31 - February 1 | IEDC | Coachella Valley, Calif.
February 16 - February 18 | 2022 Winter Conference | TEDC
|
|
Gulf Coast Economic Development District | 713-627-3200
The Economic Development Digest is published monthly by the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
