[OMS_MANAGERS] OMS Round-up

Tue Aug 11 11:42:07 PDT 2020

  1.  USDA Seeks Applications for Capacity Building and Planning Grants in Rural Communities; deadline to apply is September 10, 2020: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications to help rural communities enhance their capacity for broadband access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support the development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces.

Rural Development is making $1 million in grants available through the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC)<https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/initiatives/rural-placemaking-innovation-challenge>. These grants may be used to develop multi-jurisdictional plans to benefit towns with a population of 50,000 or less. Organizations can use the grants to identify community needs, convene partners, develop actionable plans, and implement priorities to build rural prosperity. Public and private groups, organizations, and institutions that demonstrate experience in providing placemaking technical assistance to rural communities are eligible to apply. USDA is seeking to partner with one organization each in the northeastern, southern, midwestern, and western regions of the United States. USDA encourages applicants to develop plans that will provide measurable results and help create livable communities; encourage partnerships; contribute to long-term community investment; and support community resiliency, social stability, and collective identity. The maximum grant amount is $250,000. Applicants must provide a 15 percent funding match. Eligible placemaking plans will provide assistance to rural communities for two years. Electronic applications must be submitted via www.grants.gov<http://www.grants.gov>  with a copy of the submission emailed to rd.innovation at usda.gov<mailto:rd.innovation at usda.gov> by 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time on September 10, 2020.

For additional information or to discuss a potential application, contact Angela Callie, Community Economic Coordinator, (202) 568-9738.

Questions should be submitted to rd.innovation at usda.gov<mailto:rd.innovation at usda.gov>.

  1.  Institute for Local Self Reliance New Report - 26 Actions Local Leaders Can Take to Help Small Businesses Weather the Pandemic Click Here<https://ilsr.org/report-26-actions-local-leaders-can-take-to-help-small-businesses/> to read: Small businesses have been especially hard hit during this pandemic, and with the resurgence of the virus in recent weeks, it's clear the worst is not yet over. With dwindling cash reserves and no end to the economic crisis in sight, now - perhaps more than ever before - our local small businesses need help. Local elected officials and community leaders know how important small businesses are to their communities, and our new report lays out over two dozen actions local leaders can take to help small businesses stay afloat during this unprecedented time.

  1.  USDA Recreation Economy Resource Guide - Click Here<https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/RD_Recreation_Economy_USDA.pdf> to read: The resource guide provides rural community leaders and economic development practitioners a complete list of programs at Rural Development, Forest Service, and National Institute for Food and Agriculture that can be used to support recreational economies in rural America. It addresses the key factors necessary to build a sustainable recreational economy including natural resource management, conservation activities, infrastructure investment, business development and more.

  1.  SBDC Resources: We touched briefly on our call this morning on the various ways SBDC's are partners to local main street programs in providing assistance to small businesses. Some of the ways we heard about are:
Woodburn - Amanda shares referrals for deeper business assistance to their SBDC and have been sharing info on webinars regarding assistance programs like PPP and EIDL; Klamath Falls refers people to their SBDC as the main technical assistance provider for federal programs including now assistance in preparing PPP forgiveness applications; and Oregon City is working with the Chamber and their SBDC to provide training business certification program w/three learning modules around finance, marketing, and customer service. Following our call, I had a call w/the Director of the Portland area SBDC, Tammy Marquez-Oldham. She emphasized that they have teams that provide business advising is at no cost. They have also been coordinated Meet-ups for Retail, Restaurant, and Global sectors which are open to any business to participate. Some trainings they have been providing for free and some have a fee.

Here's links to great resources:
Website for PCC SBDC and Global Trade Center - this has a calendar that has info on upcoming trainings: www.bizcenter.org/portland<http://www.bizcenter.org/portland>

Email: sbdc at pcc.edu<mailto:sbdc at pcc.edu>

Capital Access Team and Stimulus Package - provide assistance across the state: www.bizcentercat.org/covid19<http://www.bizcentercat.org/covid19>

No Cost Meetups:
Retail Virtual Meetup: https://climb.pcc.edu/retail-virtual-meetup
Restaurant Virtual Meetup: https://climb.pcc.edu/restaurant-virtual-meetup
Global Virtual Meetup: http://bit.ly/OSBDCN-meetups

  1.  Article - Small Town Business Owner Survives Pandemic By Live-Streaming Fashion Shows on Facebook: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/boutique-owner-survives-pandemic-by-doing-fashion-shows-online/#.XzIc1Qqh_tQ.email

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