CRA Newswire

SBA: New, Free Online Digital Learning Platform Launched

Ascent built to assist nearly 13 million women-owned small businesses The U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza, today announced the launch of Ascent, a first-of-its-kind, free digital e-learning platform geared to help women entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses. Ascent has valuable content such as tips on preparing and recovering from disasters, strategic marketing and business financial strategy…

FDIC: Eleven Companies Selected to Compete in Final Phase of Tech Sprint

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced the selection of 11 companies to compete in the third and final phase of the agency’s Rapid Phased Prototyping Competition, a tech sprint designed to develop an innovative new approach to financial reporting, particularly for community banks. The FDIC selected the following companies to continue to Phase…

SBA: PPP Re-Opening and New Guidance Announced

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday,…

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 3 Weekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the third phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey. Data collection began November 9, 2020. Results will be released weekly starting November 19, 2020, through January 14, 2021. No changes were made to the questionnaire for this phase. Data are available through the Small Business Pulse Survey Interactive…

EDA: $3.5 Million Invested to Boost Economic Development Efforts in Carneys Point, NJ Opportunity Zone

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.5 million grant to the Carneys Point Township Sewer Authority, Carneys Point, New Jersey, to make sanitary sewer service infrastructure improvements needed to support the community and its growing business needs. The EDA grant, to be located…

EDA: $2.7 Million Invested to Facilitate Commercial Redevelopment in Lackawanna, NY Opportunity Zone

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million grant to the Buffalo Erie County Industrial Land Development Corporation, Buffalo, New York, to install new water and sewer systems that will spur new business growth and economic development at the Former Bethlehem Steel Plant…

EDA: $2.2 Million Invested to Boost Economic Diversification Efforts in Ohio’s 18-County Appalachian Region

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.2 million grant to Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, to provide technical assistance to accelerate the economic transition to new industries in 18 counties in Appalachian Ohio. The EDA grant will be matched with $550,000 in local funds….

OCC: CRA Evaluations for 23 National Banks and Federal Savings Associations Released

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations that became public during the period of December 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. The list contains only national banks, federal savings associations, and insured federal branches of foreign banks that have received ratings. The…

Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3 Biweekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the third phase of the experimental Household Pulse Survey. The Household Pulse Survey is the result of an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to document temporal trends in how individuals are experiencing business curtailment and closures, stay-at-home orders, school closures, changes in the…

Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3 Biweekly Data Release Extended through March 2021

The U.S. Census Bureau today launched an extension of the third phase of the experimental Household Pulse Survey with a slightly revised questionnaire that includes questions about intent to vaccinate. Questions related to stimulus payments have also been resumed. The Household Pulse Survey is the result of an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies…