EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Kicks Off STEM Talent Challenge, Strengthening Regional Innovation Economies
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the opening of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) STEM Talent Challenge, which aims to support organizations’ efforts to boost local science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and workforce development models across the nation’s growing innovation economies. The $2 million STEM Talent Challenge will provide funding to…
CFPB: New Category of Qualified Mortgages Proposed to Encourage Innovation and Access to Affrodable Mortgage Credit
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued today a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to create a new category of seasoned qualified mortgages (Seasoned QMs) in order to encourage innovation and help ensure access to responsible, affordable in the mortgage credit market. To be considered a Seasoned QM under the proposal, loans would have to…
EDA: $2.3 Million Invested to Establish Advanced Materials Innovation Center Near Rhode Island Opportunity Zone
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.3 million grant to the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation, Kingston, Rhode Island, to establish the “401 Tech Bridge” advanced materials innovation center at two sites: the University of Rhode Island in Kingston for direct university…
FDIC: Input Sought on Voluntary Certification Program to Promote New Technologies
Public/Private standard-setting partnership could foster innovation and cut costs The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced that it is seeking the public’s input on the potential for a public/private standard-setting partnership and voluntary certification program to promote the efficient and effective adoption of innovative technologies at FDIC-supervised financial institutions. Given rapid technological developments and…
CFPB: Bureau and State Regulators Launch American Consumer Financial Innovation Network
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau), working in partnership with multiple state regulators, launched the American Consumer Financial Innovation Network (ACFIN), a network to enhance coordination among federal and state regulators to facilitate financial innovation. The Bureau invited all state regulators to join ACFIN, and the initial members of ACFIN are the Attorneys General of:…
CFPB: Policies Issued to Facilitate Compliance and Promote Innovation
First No-Action Letter Issued to HUD Housing Counseling Agencies The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) today issued three new policies to promote innovation and facilitate compliance: the No-Action Letter (NAL) Policy, Trial Disclosure Program (TDP) Policy, and Compliance Assistance Sandbox (CAS) Policy. The Bureau proposed the policies in 2018 and received public comments on each…
SBA: Grants Awarded to 24 Organizations to Support Small Business Innovation and R&D Commercialization
The U.S. Small Business Administration granted 24 awards up to $125,000 per recipient in FY 2019 under its Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. FAST’s objective is to improve outcomes for underrepresented entrepreneurs in SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs and increase participation for women-owned, rural-based, and…
EDA: $1.46 Million Invested to Establish Advance Carbon Products Innovation Center in Campbell County, WY
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.46 million grant to the Campbell County Economic Development Corporation of Gillette, Wyoming, to help build an Advanced Carbon Products Innovation Center that will spur new business growth in the Powder River Basin region. This EDA grant…
HUD: GSA, HUD Issue Requests for Information for Phase II Centers of Excellence Work
The U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Technology Transformation Services’ Centers of Excellence (CoE) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued six Requests for Information (RFI) and their accompanying draft Request for Quotation (RFQ) to gather feedback related to the HUD Phase II work on Friday, May 17. With these RFIs, GSA…
EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Announces Eleventh Americas Competitiveness Exchange
Senior Officials from Across the Globe Visit Puerto Rico’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hubs From May 18-25, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and International Trade Administration (ITA), in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and the Organization of American States (OAS), will participate in the Eleventh Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) on…