Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
New Student Debt Relief Benefit Available to County Employees
NACo’s Public Promise Insurance announces a new employee retention benefit that will help your public employees significantly reduce or even eliminate their student loan payments!
Did you know that 4 million Americans currently qualify for student debt relief or that 100% of full-time county employees qualify for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program? Even though they may qualify, it is extremely cumbersome for an employee to apply and receive the full value of their loan forgiveness. Through NACo's partnership with student loan forgiveness tool, Savi, your employees now have access to an easy-to-use tool that can scan 150+ available student debt relief programs and identify the amount of relief they can expect to receive. Learn more about the Public Promise Insurance benefit here.
CARB to Hold Local Government Training Webinar on Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is hosting an online training webinar on the new Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations January 17th. The ACF regulations apply to local government agencies (among others) and affect medium- and heavy-duty on-road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight greater than 8,500 pounds, as well as off-road yard tractors. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to submit their questions in advance (by January 15, 2024). Registration is limited.
Additionally, CARB announced on December 28, 2023, that it does not plan to take enforcement action on the drayage or high priority fleet provisions of the ACF regulation until the U.S. EPA grants a preemption waiver applicable to those regulatory provisions or determines a waiver is not necessary. However, this enforcement discretion does not apply to State and Local Government Fleets. More information can be found on the ACF Regulation and Advisories page.
WHAT: Overview of ACF regulations, such as who is affected and upcoming compliance requirements. Fact sheets are available here.
WHEN: January 17, 2024, 9am – 11am.
WHERE: Virtual via Zoom, register here.
For more information, please visit CARB’s TruckStop webpage to learn more about heavy-duty vehicle requirements; webinar questions can be directed to zevfleet@arb.ca.gov.
Request for Proposal - Feasibility Study Analysis and Business Management Plan for a Business Incubator
The Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) is seeking proposals from qualified professionals to complete a feasibility study, analysis, and potential implementation plan for a business incubator to be located in Yreka, California. The final documents will be leveraged in future planning to assist and support the development and growth of small business entrepreneurs within Yreka and throughout the Siskiyou County region.
This project is being funded by a grant from the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the final report(s) will need to comply accordingly. The contract will not exceed a total amount of $65,000 and will be completed by no later than June 17, 2024. The use of Federal funds requires that this contract adheres to all 2CFR 200 regulations. The successful bidder must be registered and active with SAM.gov.
The deadline for proposal submission is January 31, 2024. View the RFP here. For more information about Siskiyou Economic Development Council, visit their website here.
Common Threads North 2024 Dinner and Awards to Honor Six Women in Agriculture from RCRC Member Counites - Tickets on Sale Now
Join Common Threads North on Wednesday, April 3rd as they celebrate and honor women in agriculture. The six 2024 Common Threads North Honorees are all members of RCRC counties: Colleen Cecil (Glenn County); Terry Dereniuk (Lake County); Carol Dobbas (Sierra County); Kelli Evans (Sutter County); Robin Flournoy (Placer County); and Sue Knox (Tehama County).
Sponsorships for the 2024 Common Threads North Dinner & Awards are now being accepted. For additional information about the dinner and awards, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit the Common Threads North website here or contact the Butte Ag Foundation at (530) 533-1473.
Registration Now Open for Calforests 2024 FSI Conference, February 26-27
Register today for the California Forestry Association (Calforests) Forestry Strategies and Innovations (FSI) Conference 2024, where Calforests will bring together leaders from California’s public, private, nonprofit, tribal, economic, and environmental sectors to spark critical conversations about forest management, wildfire protection, and sustainability.
Attendees have the chance to:
- Collectively evaluate and improve best practices
- Share important knowledge and innovations
- Engage with key stakeholders to find out how to work collaboratively
Date: February 26-27, 2024
Location: Sacramento
See here for more information and register today.
$1.5 Billion Available through the 2024 RAISE Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2024. The program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that may be harder to support through other U.S. DOT grant programs. For recent examples of funded projects, see the list of 2023 awarded projects here.
RAISE projects are reviewed and evaluated on statutory criteria of safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation. Projects designated “RCN Program Extra” during the new FY 2023 Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program competition and submitted for consideration under the FY 2024 RAISE NOFO will have a greater opportunity to be advanced during the FY 2024 RAISE evaluation process, as described in the NOFO.
Half of the funding will go to projects in rural areas, and half of the funding will go to projects in urban areas. At least $15 million in funding is guaranteed to go towards projects located in Areas of Persistent Poverty or Historically Disadvantaged Communities, and projects located in these areas will be eligible for up to 100 percent federal cost share, as directed by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
As in previous years, the Department is encouraging applicants to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity. The Department also intends to use the RAISE program to support lowering costs for household budgets, wealth creation and the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, the incorporation of strong labor standards, and training and placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships.
The NOFO is available here. The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM EST on February 28, 2024, and selections will be announced no later than June 27, 2024.
HCD Launches New Codes and Standards Online Services Portal
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has launched a new, user-friendly online portal — Codes and Standards Online Services (C&S OS). C&S OS is designed for the public, HCD business partners, and Codes and Standards customers to access many HCD services online.
C&S OS features include:
- Track the status of your application or complaint
- Submit some mobilehome permit and registration and titling applications online – anytime, from anywhere
- No additional fees required
- Google Translate™ available in several languages
With C&S OS, you can now:
- Apply for duplicate title and registration cards
- Update registered and legal owner addresses
- Apply for alteration permits and insignia inspections
- Request a technical service inspection
- And more!
More services are coming soon! Check the HCD website often for new services and application types. C&S OS can be accessed through the HCD website: www.hcd.ca.gov.
For more information, see Information Bulletin 2023-01.
Questions? Please email CSOS@hcd.ca.gov.
Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox