4/20: USDA seeks applications for $11.7 million in broadband grants for rural communities

USDA LogoWASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect program. Community Connect is administered by USDA’s Rural Utilities Service and helps to fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not economically viable for private sector providers to provide service.

“Through Community Connect and our other telecommunications programs, USDA helps to ensure that rural residents have access to broadband to run businesses, get the most from their education and benefit from the infinite services that fast, reliable broadband provides,” Vilsack said. “USDA is committed to supporting America’s rural communities through targeted investments in our bioeconomy and renewable energy, local and regional food systems, conservation initiatives and rural development.” Read more

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4/14 UPDATE: Two dozen funding opportunities, more

New funding opportunities and resources for the S.C. Lowcountry Promise Zone

OVERVIEW

logo_updateIn this update, you will find new information and recent news on a variety of topics, including:

RECENT NEWS:  A new scholarship opportunity from the Alger program, plus a tax incentive bill by U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., that would benefit Promise Zones

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Learn about the USDA’s major new Strategic Economic and Community Development program and how it can help your community.  This section includes information on a dozen more new federal and nonprofit funding opportunities.

OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES:  Read how your community can get a team of young people from Americorps to volunteer to strengthen your community.  This section includes 10 other funding opportunities related to food, nutrition, water, community economic development and more.

COMING EVENTS:  Learn how to register for an April 28 workshop in Charleston that provides information about the New Markets Tax Credit and how South Carolinians can access those funds.  Seven other events include webinars and calls on various topics:  brownfields, local food financing, food systems, the Affordable Care Act, community development and crowdfunding.

RESOURCES If you were not able to attend a federal broadband workshop on March 23 in Barnwell, you can download PowerPoint presentations through a link in this section.  Also available is information on a food promotion program, community development and infrastructure, vacant land reuse, brownfields and more. Read more

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Wilson co-sponsors bill to spur job creation, investment in Promise Zone

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., is a chief co-sponsor of legislation that will create new tax credits to give incentives to businesses to hire residents of federally-designated Promise Zones like the one that is in part of his congressional district.

Wilson

Wilson

The bill, the Promise Zone Job Creation Act, also would encourage new investments to bring property, equipment or software to hard hit communities in the zones.  South Carolina’s Promise Zone includes all or parts of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper.  The designation, which provides priority help for organizations seeking federal grants and loans that help the area, was awarded in April 2015. Read more

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Group seeks grant applications for $1.5 million Lowcountry Ministries Fund

16.0405.candleThe non-profit Palmetto Project is asking for community organizations serving Allendale, Hampton, Colleton, Jasper, and rural parts of lower Charleston and Beaufort counties to apply for grants from its $1.5 million Lowcountry Ministries Fund.   The Promise Zone includes Allendale, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

Directions on how to apply can be found at http://www.palmettoproject.org and must be received by 3 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2016.

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