November provided numerous opportunities to remind us how grateful we were for the tireless efforts of our staff and leaders in supporting rural prosperity throughout Nevada.
We began the month by celebrating the largest linear investment in USDA Rural Development’s history in Nevada, a new $39 million water and wastewater system in the City of Yerington. This investment replaced over 26 miles of existing pipeline and ensures over 1000 existing customers in Yerington and the Yerington Paiute Tribes have safe and reliable access to water.
Our investment in the City of Yerington is an illustration of the joint commitment of President Biden, his Administration, and USDA Rural Development to increasing the quality of life in rural communities and ensuring the residents of those communities have access to the resources they need. All our staff share that commitment and remain committed to furthering those goals through their work every day.
Separately, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visited Nevada in November to participate in the re-signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between USDA and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Deputy Secretary Torres Small met with Nevada leadership and staff from Rural Development, Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources and Conservation Service, and U.S. Forest Service, listening to staff and noting their important input, with the goal of taking it back to Washington, D.C. to incorporate into best practices throughout the agency. We were grateful for the Deputy Secretary’s visit, as well as the enthusiasm of each agency in identifying common concerns and discussing solutions based on our varied experiences.
We ended the month by celebrating the groundbreaking for our $27 million investment in Uprise Fiber through the USDA ReConnect Program to bring high-speed internet to the City of Lovelock. Lovelock Mayor Mike Giles spoke about his faith in this project, and how other attempts to bring internet to Lovelock failed to deliver on their promises. USDA Rural Development, he said, “was different,” making efforts to address and meet Lovelock’s unique needs. Pershing County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Heidi Lusby-Angvick also expressed optimism in the future of Lovelock, recounting how she would tell colleagues in online meetings that they could choose whether to see her face or hear her, as her internet simply could not support both at once.
We’re thankful for our staff, our partners, and our leadership for the work they’ve done in rural Nevada, and for the work they will do to improve the economy, infrastructure, and quality of life for the rural residents of the Silver State.
Lucas Ingvoldstad
USDA Nevada RD State Director
— USDA funding opportunities in Nevada —
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
For: Ag Producers and Small Businesses in Eligible Areas
Guaranteed loan and grant funding for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency upgrades. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficiency equipment and new system loans to support agricultural production and processing. Past recipients have been farms looking to upgrade energy efficiency and small businesses using the investment to purchase new batteries or solar panels. Application deadlines 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, 6/30/2024, and 9/30/2024. For more information or to apply contact (775) 443-4764.
Solid Waste Management Grants
For: Public Bodies, Nonprofits, Tribes, Academic Institutions in Eligible Areas
This program reduces or eliminates pollution of water resources by providing funding for organizations that offer technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites. Application window 10/01/2023 to 12/31/2023.Submit applications via Grants.gov by 9:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, 12/31/2023. For more information about the program, call (775) 443-4752.
Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants
For: Qualified Nonprofits in Eligible Areas
This program helps qualified, private nonprofits provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems, helps applicants prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants, and helps associations improve operation and maintenance of water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas. Application window 10/01/2023 to 12/31/2023. Submit applications via Grants.gov by 9:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, 12/31/2023. For more information about the program, call (775) 443-4752.
Intermediary Relending Program
For: Nonprofits, Cooperatives, Tribes, Public Agencies in Eligible Areas
Low-interest loans available to local lenders known as intermediaries, who then re-lend the funds to businesses to improve economic conditions and create new opportunities in rural communities. Application deadlines 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, and 6/30/2024. For more information or to apply contact (775) 443-4756.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
For: Nonprofits, Tribes, Higher Ed, Businesses with less than 10 employees
Funding for non-profits, Tribes, colleges, and universities to create revolving loan fund programs and support training and technical assistance for rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. Application deadlines 12/31/2023, 3/31/2024, and 6/30/2024. For more information or to apply contact (775) 443-4756.
Single Family Housing Loans & Grants
For: Homeowners or Applicants Without Decent, Sanitary, Safe Housing
Single Family Housing Programs offer a variety of loans & grants available all year. These include Direct Loans, to purchase or build a house with no money down in eligible rural areas, and available to low-income applicants, Guaranteed Loans, to purchase or build a house with no money down in eligible rural areas as a moderate-income applicant, and Home Repair Loans & Grants, available for low-income applicants in eligible rural areas to repair, improve, or modernize their home. The application window for these programs are all year. For more information contact (775) 443-4767.
Upcoming Webinars —
Please register your interest in discussing your questions and interests in USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America (REAP) programs with State Coordinator Laura Chavez.
These office hours are available for anyone at any level of familiarity with grants. No prior knowledge of REAP or prior experience with federal funding is required. This webinar will be held in January.
Register for office hours with the following link:
https://forms.office.com/g/WcZH3Q74X8.
The REAP program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Upcoming deadlines for REAP funding for this cycle and next cycle are December 31st and March 31st respectively.
Eligibility: Agricultural producers and rural small businesses in rural areas with populations of 50,000 or less.
For more information, please visit the link below:
For more information or questions contact teja.dusanapudi@usda.gov.