FEMA: Cleveland County, Oklahoma Added to FEMA Major Disaster Declaration
Cleveland County has been added to the major disaster declaration for Oklahoma’s tornadoes, straight-line wind and severe storms April 19-20. Residents who had damage or losses from the storms may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The federal disaster declaration now allows FEMA to provide direct support to individuals and households in three counties under…
Census Bureau: New Report Released About Persistent Poverty at County and Census Tract Levels
Today the U.S. Census Bureau released a new report, “Persistent Poverty in Counties and Census Tracts.” While definitions vary, geographies are typically considered to be in persistent poverty if they maintained poverty rates of 20% or more for 30 years. The report examines county and subcounty geographies (specifically, census tracts), identifying additional populations that may benefit…
EDA: $1.3 Million Invested for Infrastructure Upgrades to Support Business Expansion and Job Growth in Lexington, NC
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to the city of Lexington, North Carolina, for infrastructure improvements to support business expansion and job creation. This grant will provide upgraded natural gas capacity at an industrial site necessary for the expansion of a…
EDA: $729,560 Invested to Boost Minority-Owned Business Growth in Mobile, AL
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $729,560 grant to Vivian’s Door, Mobile, Alabama, to provide technical assistance to minority-owned and distressed local businesses. This grant will support the Vivian’s Door Initiative to continue to build the capacity of small business owners, with a focus on marginalized and underserved…
FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Alabama
FEMA announced federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Alabama to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes March 24-27, 2023. The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis…
CFPB: New Report Highlights Costly Credit Cards and Loans Provided to Medical Patients
Financial companies work with healthcare providers to sign patients up for specialty credit cards and other targeted financing products Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a report on high-cost specialty financial products, such as medical credit cards, that are sold to patients as a way to alleviate the growing costs of medical care….
ABA: Foundation Recognizes Older Americans Month and Offers New Resources on Financial Caregiving
In recognition of Older Americans Month, the ABA Foundation today released three new videos on financial caregiving as a part of its Safe Banking for Seniors program. The free national program, which aims to protect older Americans from financial exploitation, provides bankers with turnkey tools and resources to help them connect with their communities on this complex…
FEMA: Additional California Counties Affected by Severe Winter Storms Now Eligible for FEMA Assistance
Residents of Madera, Mendocino and Mono counties are now eligible for federal disaster assistance through FEMA. Madera, Mendocino and Mono counties were added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding that began on Feb. 21. They join the counties previously designated for Individual Assistance: Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne. In addition, Amador, Butte, Del Norte,…
HUD: $382 Million Allocated to Help States Produce Affordable Housing
Housing Trust Fund Allocations will increase and preserve the supply of decent, safe, and sanitary affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income households Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $382 million through the nation’s Housing Trust Fund (see list of state allocations below). The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is an affordable housing…