Publications
Overview of Broadband Funding Opportunities in the COVID-19 Relief Act
The National Law Review provides this summary on broadband and telehealth funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act which establishes or re-appropriates a number of significant broadband-related support programs.
Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities
USDA offers an updated guide for building sustainable farms, ranches, and communities for producers, researchers, nonprofits and landowners to easily find programs to help them achieve their goals.
FCC’s Fourteenth Broadband Deployment Report
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports on broadband deployment in the U.S. with information specific to broadband access in rural and tribal communities and the U.S. territories.
Tech Talent Tracker
The Opportunity Project provides this tool to create data-driven reports to help community leaders understand the state of their local tech economies. This tool will help to empower rural decision makers by offering crucial information including county-level data, maps and charts on key metrics related to a county’s digital economy.
Economic Impact Payments
Most eligible taxpayers have received their first Economic Impact Payment by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. If you didn’t get any payments or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 federal tax return.
Event Opportunities
FY 2021 Strategic Economic and Community Development Funding Opportunity
Feb. 9 | Webinar
Join USDA to learn about the Fiscal Year 2021 funding opportunity known as Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD). This webinar will introduce attendees to the Innovation Center, provide an overview of Farm Bill changes to SECD and highlight the FY 2021 application requirements and process.
Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) Workshop: COVID-19, Resources to Support the Rural Workforce
Feb. 11 | Virtual Workshop
In this workshop, representatives from USDA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Economic Development Administration will explore Federal resources and opportunities that can be used to provide relief to America’s rural workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applying to Citizens' Institute on Rural Design
Feb. 9 | Webinar
Join the National Endowment for the Arts, the Housing Assistance Council, and To Be Done Studio to ask questions and receive guidance on the Request for Applications for the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design. This webinar will inform potential applicants about the details of our program—both the local Design Workshops and the Design Learning Cohort—and guide you through the application.
Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Webinar
Feb. 16 | Webinar
Join USDA to learn about grants being made available to rural communities with limited staff and resources to build the capacity needed to access USDA funding to support essential community facilities. This webinar is for potential applicants and anyone interested in learning more about the program.
Rural Community Development Initiative Webinar
Feb. 18 | Webinar
Join USDA to learn about grants being made available for projects to improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development in rural areas. This webinar is for potential applicants and anyone interested in learning more about the program.
The Agricultural Outlook Forum
Feb. 18 - 19 | Free Virtual Conference
The 97th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum theme is “Building on Innovation: A Pathway to Resilience”. This is the largest annual meeting and premiere event, independent of commercial interests, organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It aims to facilitate information sharing among stakeholders and generate the transparency that supports well-functioning open markets and will feature a panel of distinguished guest speakers and breakout sessions.