Census Bureau: New Dashboard Released to Explore Impacts of Federal Broadband Investments on Local Communities
The U.S. Census Bureau, in partnership with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), today announced the launch of the ACCESS BROADBAND Dashboard. ACCESS BROADBAND stands for Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act. The new data tool shows how changes in broadband infrastructure…
CDFI Fund: $194 Million Awarded to Spur CDFI Investment in Distressed and Underserved Areas Across the Nation
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded 252 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) $194.1 million in Financial Assistance (FA) awards today. The awards, through the fiscal year (FY) 2022 round of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program),…
ABA: New Webpage Launched Highlighting Programs Designed to Improve Access to Capital for Underserved Small Businesses
The American Bankers Association today launched a new webpage providing information on special purpose credit programs (SPCPs) and highlighting the role they can play in meeting the credit needs of economically disadvantaged small businesses. In support of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Project REACh, ABA is making this online resource available for banks and other…
HUD: $5.5 Million in Funding Opportunity Announced for Hispanic Serving Institutions
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will make available $5.5 million for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to establish research Centers of Excellence (COEs) to conduct housing and community development research. This funding opportunity will help strengthen capacity and invest in innovative and actionable research to address issues regarding housing, economic development,…
EDA: $794,472 Invested to Boost Business Growth in Coal-Impacted and Other Underserved Communities in Georgia
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $794,472 grant to the Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation, Inc., Statesboro, Georgia, to connect businesses in underserved areas of Georgia with the technical assistance they need to grow and thrive. This project will allow Georgia Southern University’s Georgia Enterprise Network…
HUD: $1.447 Billion Announced for 2021 Disaster Recovery and Mitigation
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the allocation of $1.447 billion in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to provide additional help to communities recovering from 2021 disasters as well as support building inclusive resilience to climate change. “HUD continues to do the work to support recovery…
FHFA: New Rule Proposed to Help Enterprises Better Serve Colonias
Amendments will remove barriers to Enterprise Duty to Serve activities in high-needs rural regions The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today proposed to amend the Agency’s Duty to Serve (DTS) Underserved Markets regulation to facilitate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) activities related to serving colonias. “FHFA is committed to promoting affordability, equity, and…
SBA: New Collaboration with Operation HOPE Announced in Los Angeles Aimed at Empowering Black-Owned Small Businesses
Through New Alliance, Administrator Guzman, CEO Bryant, and Local Stakeholders Will Join Forces to Raise Awareness of Tools and Resources to Benefit Entrepreneurs from Underserved Communities Across the Nation Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, joined John…
HUD: $5.5 Million Funding Opportunity Announced for HBCUs to Conduct Housing and Community Development Research
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will make available $5.5 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to establish or bolster existing Centers of Excellence (COE) that conduct housing and community development research. “Historically Black Colleges and Universities are economic anchors for their communities,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge….
CFPB: New Report Details Family Finances and Debt in Rural Appalachia
Appalachians Face Higher Debt Burdens and Worse Credit Conditions than Most Other Parts of Rural America The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued the first in a series of reports focusing on the finances of consumers living in rural areas. Today’s report focuses on rural Appalachians, who tend to earn less than consumers in…