People Inc. and ACC Selected for Virginia Commonwealth’s Capital for Communities Fund

People Inc. and ACC are among the seven awardees of the Virginia Commonwealth’s Capital for Communities Fund (CCCF).  The selected projects, which received a total of $1.3 million in grants, will expand lending to communities lacking banking options across the Commonwealth while providing technical assistance to future borrowers for business ventures. CCCF was created to provide grants to CDFIs and other similar entities for the purpose of providing financing to small businesses, housing development and rehabilitation projects, and community revitalization real estate projects.

29 Projects Selected for Phase 3 of Opportunity Appalachia

On June 3, ACC announced that 29 downtown and rural redevelopment projects in Central Appalachia have been selected to receive technical assistance through Phase 3 of Opportunity Appalachia. These projects will bring $275 million in investment to their communities, create over 2,700 local jobs, and support over 340 individual businesses.  Project types include housing, entrepreneurial and clean energy hubs, manufacturing facilities, community centers, arts and entertainment centers, coworking spaces, and hospitality enterprises.  The projects are located in Appalachian communities in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Click here to read the press release about the newest Opportunity Appalachia projects.

USDA Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program

This program provides funds for local lenders or “intermediaries” that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create new opportunities in rural communities. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office quarterly. APPLY HERE.

SolarPunk Future 2024: Imagining a Cleaner, Greener World!

June 29, 2024

1:00-5:00 pm Eastern

Pittsburgh, PA

Register HERE.

This dynamic event invites you to immerse yourself in a world of interactive art exhibits, captivating performances, engaging discussions, and exciting job fair opportunities geared towards sustainability, innovation, and shaping a greener future.

Just Transition Fund 2024 National Convening

October 9-11, 2024

Washington, DC 

Register HERE

The White House Climate Capital Guidebook aggregates current federal funding opportunities, including grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cooperative agreements, for small- and medium-sized companies, both start-ups and established businesses, focusing on clean energy technologies and other climate solutions. READ MORE.

USDA Rural Development is now awarding extra points to program applications seeking funding for projects in Rural Partners Network (RPN) communities. The update applies to funding notices published on or after June 1, 2024. Through RPN, USDA works with federal, state and local partners to make resources available for community-driven plans and projects.  Currently, RPN supports community networks in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. READ MORE.

The inaugural cohort of EDA’s Economic Recovery Corps convened in Washington, D.C. to discuss strategies for improving access to federal resources for distressed communities across the nation.  Led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), 65 Fellows are serving two-and-a-half year terms to help organizations develop and execute regional economic development plans and projects. READ MORE.

USDA Rural Development and EDA’s Stronger Together: Federal funding and planning opportunities designed to promote sustainable economic development in rural America guide has been updated to provide a summary of programs from both agencies that can be used to support common rural development strategies. READ MORE.

FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Takes Action to Expand Access to Capital for Small- and Medium-Sized Climate Businesses. The White House, May 30, 2024. READ MORE.

Economic Outlook: Have more small businesses truly turned their backs on loans? ABA Banking Journal, May 30, 2024. READ MORE.

What Now for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Green Finance Programs? NRDC, May 28, 2024. READ MORE.

New effort to connect NC small businesses to global economy. Business North Carolina, May 24, 2024. READ MORE.

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, Green Banks, & Nature-Based Solutions: an Interview with Matt Carney, Quantified Ventures. Conservation Finance Network, May 23, 2024. READ MORE.

Black-Owned Businesses Need Money To Make Money. Forbes, May 23, 2024. READ MORE.

AAPI Small Businesses Face Familiar Challenges—and Some Unique Ones. U.S. Chamber of Commerce, May 23, 2024. READ MORE.

US CDFIs Seek to Diversify Funding Sources Amid Challenging Environment. Fitch Ratings, May 22, 2024. READ MORE.

Investing In Greenhouse Gas Reduction Lifts Up Main Streets. Forbes, May 21, 2024.  READ MORE.