EDA: $4.5 Million Invested to Boost Wastewater Capacity in Greenville, NC Opportunity Zone
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.5 million grant to the Greenville Utilities Commission, Greenville, North Carolina, to make wastewater system infrastructure improvements needed to support the growth of the region’s healthcare sector and other businesses. The EDA grant, to be located in…
FEMA: President Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Alabama
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Alabama to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Zeta from Oct. 28-29, 2020. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Clarke, Dallas, Marengo, Mobile, Perry, Washington and Wilcox counties. Assistance…
Census Bureau: New American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Released
Today the U.S. Census Bureau released new 5-year statistics. For the first time, data from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey (ACS) will allow users to compare three nonoverlapping sets of 5-year data: 2005-2009, 2010-2014 and 2015-2019. The ability to analyze separate datasets is important for identifying trends for small communities and geographies which is critical for…
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…
HUD: Millions in Rental and Housing Assistance for Veterans in Need Announced
HUD-VASH vouchers to help veterans at-risk of homelessness The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it is awarding $46 million in rental assistance and housing vouchers to help veterans at risk of experiencing homelessness. The supportive housing assistance is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, which combines rental…
FHFA: COVID-Related Loan Flexibilities Further Extended Until January 31st
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will extend several loan origination flexibilities until January 31, 2021. The changes are to ensure continued support for borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency. The flexibilities were set to expire on December 31, 2020. Extended flexibilities include: Alternative appraisals on…
EDA: $2.6 Million Invested to Make Sewer Infrastructure Improvements in Dublin, GA Opportunity Zone
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.6 million grant to the city of Dublin, Georgia, to provide expanded and reliable sanitary sewer service to the Dublin-Laurens County South Industrial Park. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone,…
EDA: $2 Million Invested to Expand Business Incubator in Stateboro, GA Opportunity Zone
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, Statesboro, Georgia, to boost business growth and resiliency efforts by expanding the City Center Business Incubator. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity…
EDA: $1.7 Million Invested to Create Broadband Network to Support Business Growth in Montgomery City, MO Opportunity Zone
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.7 million grant to Montgomery City, Missouri, to construct a broadband fiber network to serve local businesses. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will be matched with $421,681 in local…
CFPB: Two Final Rules Issued to Promote Access to Responsible, Affordable Mortgage Credit
Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued final rules related to qualified mortgage (QM) loans. Lenders are required under the law to determine that consumers have the ability to repay mortgage loans before lenders make those loans. Loans that meet legal standards for QM loans are presumed to be loans for which consumers have…