The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications to support planning, training, and technical assistance to help rural communities foster placemaking activities.
USDA is making up to $3 million in cooperative agreement grants available under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge. The funds may be used to help rural communities create plans to enhance their capacity for broadband access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support development in transportation, housing, and recreational spaces.
Technical assistance provided through these grants must support the development of actionable plans based on convening partners and identifying community needs that enable rural areas to build back better and stronger. The technical assistance must provide support to rural communities for up to two years.
Public and private groups, organizations, and institutions that demonstrate experience in providing placemaking technical assistance and administering federal grants are eligible to apply.
USDA is seeking to partner with at least one entity each in the northeastern, southern, midwestern, and western regions of the United States. The maximum grant amount for any one applicant is $250,000. Applicants must provide a funding match of 15 percent. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
USDA encourages applications that propose to support communities designated as economically distressed or that plan to enhance capacity for broadband infrastructure and deployment, including investments under the USDA ReConnect Program.
Electronic applications must be submitted via grants.gov by 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on July 26, 2021.
Those interested in applying are encouraged to attend a virtual workshop to learn more about this program. The workshop will explain eligibility requirements, scoring criteria, and how to submit a complete application.
What: Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge Funding Opportunity
When: Thursday, June 24, 2021 @ 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time
Where: Online
How: Register for free today
Additional information is available on page 28526 of the May 27, 2021, Federal Register. Questions should be directed to rd.rpic@usda.gov.