January 20, 2023

USDA to Create Plan to Expand Recreation Economies and Help People Thrive Across Rural America

Rural Development, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and U.S. Forest Service Partner to Create New Tools and Resources

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)  announced that it will create a plan to expand recreation economies to help people thrive across rural America.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding, USDA Rural Development, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the U.S. Forest Service will partner to develop an annual plan to expand economic opportunities related to recreation in communities surrounding America’s national forests.

The annual plan will outline the ways the agencies will partner to conduct program outreach, host informational sessions and workshops, and develop toolkits to help people access the resources they need to thrive in recreation economies.

To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.

January 19, 2023

USDA Seeks Applications to Improve Rural Transportation Systems, Opening the Door to Economic Opportunities for People Living in Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is accepting applications to enhance the operation of rural transportation systems. These investments in rural transportation systems build opportunities and prosperity for the people who live in rural communities by connecting them to economic resources they may not otherwise be able to access.

The grants are part of the Rural Business Development Grant program. Eligible applicants are qualified, experienced national organizations seeking to provide rural communities with training and technical assistance to improve passenger transportation services and facilities. USDA does not provide funding directly to individuals or businesses under this program.

USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities create more and better market opportunities, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.

Applications will be scored, reviewed and selected on a competitive basis. Applications must be submitted to the applicant’s nearest USDA office by April 19, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. local time. Additional information is available on page 3376 of the Jan. 19, 2023, Federal Register.

To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.

January 13, 2023

Opportunities of Interest for OT21-2103 Colleagues

We’re pleased to share two opportunities that may be of interest to you or your partners. Please find the information below and reach out to the points of contact listed if you have questions.

1. The next iteration for the REACH program (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) will be released this year. Please access this link for the related grants.gov forecast listing (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=342940). Individuals can click on the “Subscribe” button in the top right corner. Once registered with the website you will be notified when the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is released and ready for applications to be submitted.
2. The National Equity Atlas is officially accepting applications for its second cohort of fellows. The program is designed for grassroots leaders of color who want to learn how to use data to advance racial and economic equity in their communities. The application portal will remain open through January 21, 2023, and the fellowship will begin in March 2023. For more information, see the announcement and links below:

Are you a grassroots leader of color currently working on equity campaigns for policy and systems change? Do you want to explore how data can bolster your efforts?

The National Equity Atlas Fellowship might be the perfect opportunity for you! Application Deadline: January 21, 2023

Facilitated by PolicyLink and the USC Equity Research Institute, this year-long program is designed to equip advocates of color with skills and tools to leverage data to advance racial and economic equity in their communities. During the experience, fellows will increase their skills in data analysis and visualization while producing data products to use in their organization’s equity campaigns. They will also network with other equity advocates across the country, participate in group learning sessions and one-on-one coaching sessions, and forge deeper connections with Atlas team members. Organizations will receive a $7,500 stipend to support their fellow’s participation in the program.

Apply Now

The deadline for applications is January 21, 2023. For more information, visit nationalequityatlas.org/lab/fellowship-cohort2.