FDIC & Federal Reserve: List of Distressed or Underserved Nonmetropolitan Middle-Income Geographies Released
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation today announced the availability of the 2021 list of distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies. These are geographic areas where revitalization or stabilization activities are eligible to receive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) consideration under the community development definition. Distressed nonmetropolitan…
SBA: Council on Underserved Communities Reconvened
Administrator Guzman restores Council to address the immediate needs and concerns of underserved and underrepresented communities hit hard by COVID-19 The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that it is reconvening the Council on Underserved Communities (CUC) under the authority of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). In conjunction with the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda, the restoration of…
SBA: $100 Million Community Navigator Pilot Program Launched to Support Underserved Small Businesses
$100 million competitive grant program to strengthen outreach to businesses in underserved communities enacted through the American Rescue Plan The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that it is accepting applications for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program. This new initiative, established by the American Rescue Plan, will leverage a community navigator approach to reach our nation’s smallest businesses, with a…
FEMA: Public Comments Sought on Future Program Delivery Regarding Climate Change and Underserved Communities and Populations
FEMA is seeking public comments on how the agency’s programs deal with climate change and underserved communities and populations. Earlier this year, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. released three executive orders, 13985, 13990 and 14008, requiring agencies to assess existing programs and policies to determine the following: If agency programs and policies perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits…
HUD: Secretaries of HUD & VA Issue Joint Statement on Ending Veteran Homelessness
From HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and VA Secretary Denis McDonough The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress found that on a single night in January 2020, there were 37,252 Veterans experiencing homelessness in America, an increase of 0.4% over 2019. This number does not account for the…
OCC: April is National Financial Capability Month
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) encourages national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) to support financial literacy education year-round but especially during National Financial Capability Month, which runs through April 30. Banks promote financial literacy by supporting programs that expand financial literacy, economic empowerment, and access to capital and credit…
EDA: $1.17 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Support Small Businesses and Manufacturers in Underserved Areas of San Jose, CA
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.17 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the city of San Jose, California, to provide technical assistance to coronavirus-impacted small businesses and manufacturers in underserved areas of the city. “The Economic Development Administration is committed to helping communities across the nation…
SBA: Emerging Leaders Initiative to Help Growing Entrepreneurs Opened for 2021 Recruitment
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the launch of the 2021 Emerging Leaders initiative for executives of small businesses poised for growth in underserved markets. Local area recruitment for the 2021 training cycle is currently underway at designated SBA District Offices. Interested small business owners can learn more regarding eligibility, how to apply, class schedules and locations at www.sba.gov/emergingleaders,…