U.S. Department of Labor awards 40 Million Dollars in Strengthening Community College Training Grants

U.S. Department of Labor awards $40 Million in Strengthening Community College Training Grants | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Labor [DOL] press release: January 15, 2021)

Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $40 million through the Strengthening Community College Training Grants program to build the capacity of community colleges to meet labor market demand for a skilled workforce. As the nation recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, community colleges are critical partners for the public workforce system to train the American workforce and build a pipeline of workers in critical industries such as health care, logistics and cybersecurity. The Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants aim to address the skill development needs of employers and to support workers in gaining skills and transitioning quickly from unemployment to employment. The grants also build the capacit...

U.S. Small Business Administration says 1.1 Million Paycheck Protection Program Loans Forgiven So Far Totaling Over $100 Billion | site |



SBA says Small borrowers make up vast majority of forgiveness applicants


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release: January 12, 2021) Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration has already forgiven more than 1.1 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for over $100 billion, providing an extraordinary amount of critical relief to America’s small businesses just 3 months since the earliest PPP borrowers’ covered periods ended. “Today’s news is a key indicator that the PPP is working for all small businesses across our Nation,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “For any eligible small business continuing to struggle due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Program has re-opened for new and certain existing PPP borrowers, and we encou...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issues Over $1.1 Million to Multiple Whistleblowers | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: January 7, 2021)

Washington D.C., Jan. 7, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today announced awards totaling more than $1.1 million to five whistleblowers who provided high-quality information that led to successful enforcement actions. In the first order, the SEC awarded three whistleblowers almost $500,000 in connection with two related enforcement actions. The first whistleblower provided information that prompted the opening of an investigation. The second and third whistleblowers provided information that significantly contributed to the success of the actions, and contributed additional, helpful assistance to the investigative staff. In the second order, the SEC awarded nearly $600,000 to a whistleblower whose information cause...

U.S. Department of Agriculture says Trump Administration Invests $4.6 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Georgia | site |


ReConnect Funding to Connect 1,326 Rural Georgia Households to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Agriculture press release: January 7, 2021)

Claxton, Ga., Jan. 7, 2021 - - The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $4.6 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Georgia. This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program. “The need for rural broadband has never been more apparent than it is now – as our nation manages the coronavirus national emergency. Access to telehealth services, remote learning for school children, and remote business operations all require access to broadband,” U.S. Secret...

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Over $41 Million in Awards for Innovative Technologies to Improve Transportation Mobility and Access for Persons with Disabilities | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Transportation press release: January 6, 2021)

Washington - - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced today that the Trump Administration will award more than $41 million to 15 teams in 15 states through two Department of Transportation design challenges to improve transportation access to persons with disabilities and individuals with mobility challenges.

“These exciting projects support the development of new innovative, inclusive, and affordable transportation technologies that address mobility and access challenges,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

The Department awarded over $38 million to 5 awardees through its Complete Trip - ITS4US Deployment...

Federal Emergency Management Agency Reimburses nearly $7 Million to Massachusetts for COVID-19 Food Security Response | site |



(Information contained in Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] press release dated: December 31, 2020)


Region 1 – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $6,993,801 to Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to reimburse eligible expenses for the delivery of food boxes to hundreds of thousands of residents in response to food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. MEMA, along with the assistance of the Salvation Army, and a network of food banks and food pantries throughout Massachusetts coordinated and distributed 275,808 food boxes to eligible participants. “We are pleased to provide this significant grant to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to help manage the financial demands associated with providing food for its citizens needing assistance during COVID-19,” said Region...

Trump Administration Purchases additional 100 Million Doses of COVID-19 Investigational Vaccine from Pfizer | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: December 23, 2020) The Trump Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DOD), will purchase an additional 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer. On Dec. 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the vaccine for emergency use and doses began shipping immediately. The vaccine is being provided at no cost to Americans. Vaccine administration costs for private-sector administration partners are covered by healthcare payers: private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, and HHS’s program to cover COVID-19 costs for the uninsured which is reimbursing the provider at Medicare rates from the provider relief fund. Under the agreement, Pfizer will manufacture and deliver up to 100 m...

U.S. Department of Labor announces availability of $3.3 Million to Fund Fidelity Bonding Demonstration Grants | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Labor press release: December 22, 2020)

Washington, DC - - The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of $3.3 million to fund Fidelity Bonding Demonstration Grants to states and outlying areas to expand their Federal Bonding Programs for individuals with criminal records, including those recovering from opioid and other drug addictions. Administered by the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the grants will encourage states and workforce development partners to provide fidelity bonds to employers as a hiring tool for persons with criminal records. By doing so, ETA aims to improve employment outcomes and decrease recidivism for such individuals. The grants will also serve to educate employers and the public on fidelity bonds’ availability and benefit...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces that CDC will Award Nearly $227 million for COVID-19 Vaccine Preparedness and Response Activities | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: December 15, 2020) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will award $140 million for COVID-19 vaccine preparedness and almost $87 million for tracking and testing to 64 jurisdictions, including all 50 states and U.S. territories. “States and other public health jurisdictions are vital partners in the COVID-19 response and especially in the plans for distributing safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “This new round of funding will help these awardees continue to plan for and implement their COVID-19 vaccine programs, in collaboration with CDC, Operation Warp Speed, and the private-sector distribu...

Trump Administration Purchases additional 100 Million Doses of COVID-19 Investigational Vaccine from Moderna |site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: December 11, 2020)

The Trump Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DoD), will purchase an additional 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine candidate, called mRNA-1273, from Moderna.

If authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use as outlined in agency guidance, doses of the vaccine will begin shipping immediately. The vaccine would be provided at no cost to Americans. Vaccine administration costs for private-sector administration partners will be covered by healthcare payers: private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, and an HHS program to cover COVID-19 costs for the uninsured which is reimbursing the provider at Medicare rates from the...

U.S. Department of Energy Awards $2 Million to American-Made Solar Prize Competitors
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(Information contained in U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] press release: December 4, 2020)

Washington, D.C. - - Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the winners of the American-Made Solar Prize Round 3 and the 20 semifinalist teams selected to advance to the next phase of Round 4. Through the Solar Prize, DOE works to bring hardware technology innovations to market faster and to bolster American competitiveness in solar hardware manufacturing.

“Since its launch in 2018, the Solar Prize has awarded $11 million to 80 teams to solve problems that transform the solar industry,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Daniel Simmons. “We are excited to see what these winners will do.”

The two Round 3 winning teams will each receive a grand prize of $500,000 in cash and $75,000 in vouchers....

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $35 Million in Funding for Hydrokinetic Turbine Development | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] news release: November 24, 2020)

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced $35 million in funding for 11 projects as part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E) Submarine Hydrokinetic And Riverine Kilo-megawatt Systems (SHARKS) program. SHARKS teams will develop new economically competitive Hydrokinetic Turbines (HKT) designs for tidal and riverine currents. “Hydrokinetic energy is an abundant renewable resource that can boost grid resiliency and reduce infrastructure vulnerability, but it is currently a cost prohibitive option compared to other energy generating sources,” said ARPA-E Director Lane Genatowski. “SHARKS teams will address this barrier by designing new, efficient HKT systems that utilize America’s tidal, riverine, a...

Federal Emergency Management Agency Announces $140 Million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program | site |


(Information included in Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] press release: November 23, 2020) WASHINGTON -- FEMA has announced that $140 million will be available to communities across the county to assist with feeding and sheltering. Congress made $125 million available for Fiscal Year 2020, and this year, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board is including an additional $15 million from funds that have not been used from prior grant years. FEMA awarded the $125 million to the National Board, which is now allocating the funds, combined with the additional $15 million, to qualifying jurisdictions (counties and cities). EFSP funds assist local organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering, and providing critical resources to people with economic emergencies, including our nation's hungry and homeless populations. These fun...

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announces over $80 Million in Targeted Funding for Coronavirus Relief | site |


Mainstream Vouchers aid non-elderly populations with disabilities in response to, and recovery from, COVID-19


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development press release: November 17, 2020)

Washington - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today made $86.85 million available to public housing agencies (PHAs) in the form of Mainstream funding vouchers to assist non-elderly populations impacted by Coronavirus. Mainstream Vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers but targeted to serve a special population to ensure residents of low income housing, including those with unique circumstances, receive necessary funding to protect their health and safety against COVID-19. “Recently, we have learned a great deal about Coron...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Provides $25 Million to Siemens Healthineers to Develop and Produce COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Tests | site |


Dual Contracts Will Yield Two New Antigen Tests and Update Massachusetts Facility to Produce up to 50 Million Tests Per Month


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: November 19, 2020) Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded Siemens Healthineers a $12 million contract to support domestic production of two diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The funding is in addition to a $13 million HHS contract awarded Nov. 2 to enable the company to develop the tests. Combined, the two contracts represent another $25 million investment by the federal government to expand the types of tests for COVID-19 and to ensure that sufficient numbers of tests are available ...