Federal Independent Agencies
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from federal independent agencies.
Featured Stories
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to Close in San Diego and Spring Valley
SACRAMENTO, California, May 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release on May 14, 2024:
Francisco Sanchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration,announced today that SBA will close its San Diego and Spring Valley Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in San Diego County at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.
"SBA opened the centers to provide personalized assistance to California businesses and residents who were affected by the severe storm and flooding that occurred
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SACRAMENTO, California, May 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release on May 14, 2024:
Francisco Sanchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration,announced today that SBA will close its San Diego and Spring Valley Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in San Diego County at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.
"SBA opened the centers to provide personalized assistance to California businesses and residents who were affected by the severe storm and flooding that occurredJan. 21 - 23. Until the centers close, SBA customer service representatives will continue to be available to meet with businesses and residents to answer their questions, explain SBA's disaster loan program and close their approved disaster loans," said Sanchez.
Businesses and residents can meet with SBA representatives on the days and times as indicated below. No appointment is necessary.
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SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Mountain View Community Center
Meeting Room
641 S Boundary St.
San Diego, CA 92113
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closes at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23
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SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Spring Valley Library
836 Kempton St.
Spring Valley, CA 91977
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. 6 p.m.
Tuesdays, 12 - 6 p.m.
Fridays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closes at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23
Even though the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until Nov. 19 to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
Interest rates are 4 percent for businesses and 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2024/05/14/sba-disaster-loan-outreach-centers-close-san-diego-spring-valley
National Academy of Engineering Elects New Council Members
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The National Academy of Engineering issued the following news release on May 14, 2024:
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected a chair, home secretary, and four members to its council, announced NAE President John L. Anderson today. The NAE Council is the governing body of the NAE with oversight for general policies and programs and all funds administered by the NAE. All terms begin July 1, 2024.
Newly elected to serve a two-year term as the NAE chair is Erroll B. Davis Jr., a retired senior executive presently engaged with board, philanthropic, senior executive
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The National Academy of Engineering issued the following news release on May 14, 2024:
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected a chair, home secretary, and four members to its council, announced NAE President John L. Anderson today. The NAE Council is the governing body of the NAE with oversight for general policies and programs and all funds administered by the NAE. All terms begin July 1, 2024.
Newly elected to serve a two-year term as the NAE chair is Erroll B. Davis Jr., a retired senior executive presently engaged with board, philanthropic, senior executivecounseling, and consulting work. Davis was previously chair of the board of Alliant Energy Corporation and chancellor of the University System of Georgia, among other significant leadership roles. Davis was elected to the NAE in 2021. He succeeds Donald Winter, an independent consultant and former secretary of the Navy, who completes four years of continuous service as chair on June 30, 2024, the maximum allowed under the NAE bylaws.
Elected to serve a four-year term as the NAE home secretary is Howard Rosen, an independent consultant and adjunct professor and lecturer at Stanford University. Rosen was elected to the NAE in 2005 and has served five consecutive years as a councillor. He succeeds Carol Hall, Worley H. Clark Jr. distinguished university professor at North Carolina State University, who completes a four-year term as the NAE home secretary on June 30, 2024.
Geraldine Knatz, professor of the practice of policy and engineering at the University of Southern California and former executive director at the Port of Los Angeles, has served for one year as a councillor and has been elected to serve a three-year term. Jose G. Santiesteban, retired strategy manager for ExxonMobil, has been reelected to serve a three-year term as councillor. Newly elected to serve three-year terms as councillors are Ellen Marie Pawlikowski, an independent consultant and retired four-star general of the United States Air Force, and Roderic Pettigrew, CEO of EnHealth and executive dean of EnMed at Texas A&M University.
Retiring as councillor is Edward D. Lazowska, professor and Bill & Melinda Gates chair emeritus in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington. Lazowska will have completed six continuous years of service, the maximum allowed under the NAE bylaws.
Established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the NAE is celebrating 60 years of engineering leadership in service to the nation. The NAE, NAS, and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The NAE is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the NAS and NAM the responsibility for providing independent, objective advice to spark progress and advance science, engineering, and medicine for the benefit of society.
The mission of the NAE is to advance the welfare and prosperity of the nation by providing independent advice on matters involving engineering and technology, and by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and public appreciation of engineering.
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Original text here: https://www.nae.edu/317368/National-Academy-of-Engineering-Elects-New-Council-Members
MCC CEO Testifies Before Senate Appropriation Committee's State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Millennium Challenge Corp. issued the following news release on May 15, 2024:
Today Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alice Albright defended President Biden's fiscal year 2025 budget request for MCC during her testimony before the Senate Appropriation Committee's State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/strengthening-american-competitiveness-examining-the-roles-of-the-us-international-development-finance-corporation-export-import-bank-of-the-united-states-and-millennium-challenge-corporation).
Albright
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Millennium Challenge Corp. issued the following news release on May 15, 2024:
Today Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alice Albright defended President Biden's fiscal year 2025 budget request for MCC during her testimony before the Senate Appropriation Committee's State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/strengthening-american-competitiveness-examining-the-roles-of-the-us-international-development-finance-corporation-export-import-bank-of-the-united-states-and-millennium-challenge-corporation).
Albrightexplained that the 2025 budget request for MCC supports the U.S. government's economic and national security interests. MCC's development programs in the world's poorest countries serve as an important counter to malign influence of foreign nations by increasing U.S. government presence, building stronger relationships and trust, and helping provide a clear roadmap for democratic best practices.
"With a robust portfolio, MCC has built a track record of helping democracies deliver for their people, this includes a pipeline of strategic new programs that will be ready for approval by MCC's Board of Directors in FY25, with your support for MCC and our FY25 budget request of $937 million, the agency is poised to create building blocks for stronger and more vibrant economies around the world, and to foster greater security here at home."
MCC also seeks a bi-partisan and bi-cameral legislative change that would bring MCC's resources to bear in 30 additional Latin American, Caribbean, African, Eastern European, Asian, and Pacific Island countries.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government development agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants that pair investments in infrastructure with policy and institutional reforms to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights.
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Original text here: https://www.mcc.gov/news-and-events/release/release-051524-mcc-ceo-sacfo-testimony/
Farmer Mac Declares Quarterly Dividends, Announces Intent to Redeem Series C Preferred Stock
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Farmer Mac issued the following news release:
The board of directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac) has declared a second quarter dividend of $1.40 per share for each of Farmer Mac's three classes of common stock - Class A Voting Common Stock (NYSE: AGM.A), Class B Voting Common Stock (not listed on any exchange), and Class C Non-Voting Common Stock (NYSE: AGM). The quarterly dividend will be payable on June 28, 2024, to holders of record of common stock as of June 14, 2024.
Farmer Mac's board of directors has also declared a dividend on each
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Farmer Mac issued the following news release:
The board of directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac) has declared a second quarter dividend of $1.40 per share for each of Farmer Mac's three classes of common stock - Class A Voting Common Stock (NYSE: AGM.A), Class B Voting Common Stock (not listed on any exchange), and Class C Non-Voting Common Stock (NYSE: AGM). The quarterly dividend will be payable on June 28, 2024, to holders of record of common stock as of June 14, 2024.
Farmer Mac's board of directors has also declared a dividend on eachof Farmer Mac's five classes of preferred stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share of 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non- Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (NYSE: AGM.PR.C, "Series C Preferred Stock"), $0.35625 per share of 5.700% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D (NYSE: AGM.PR.D), $0.359375 per share of 5.750% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (NYSE: AGM.PR.E), $0.328125 per share of 5.250% Non- Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (NYSE: AGM.PR.F), and $0.3046875 per share of 4.875% Non- Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G (NYSE: AGM.PR.G), is for the period from but not including April 17, 2024 to and including July 17, 2024. These preferred stock dividends will be payable on July 17, 2024, to holders of record of those classes of preferred stock as of July 2, 2024.
Farmer Mac also announced that it intends to provide notice to the holders of its Series C Preferred Stock of the redemption of all of its outstanding 3,000,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock ($75 million). All shares of Series C Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). Farmer Mac will provide written notice of any redemption to the holders of Series C Preferred Stock between 30 and 60 days before any redemption date according to DTC's procedures. Any redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock will not affect the payment of the dividends declared on the Series C Preferred Stock on July 17, 2024 as described above.
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About Farmer Mac Farmer
Mac is driven by its mission to increase the accessibility of financing for American agriculture and rural infrastructure. As a secondary market provider for our nation's agricultural and rural infrastructure credit, we provide financial solutions to a broad spectrum of customers supporting rural America, including agricultural lenders, agribusinesses, and rural electric cooperatives. We are uniquely positioned to facilitate competitive access to financing that fuels growth, innovation, and prosperity in America's rural and agricultural communities.
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Original text here: https://www.farmermac.com/wp-content/uploads/Farmer-Mac-Declares-Quarterly-Dividends-Announces-Intent-to-Redeem-Series-C-Preferred-Stock.pdf
FHLBank San Francisco Celebrates 20th Anniversary of AHEAD Grant Program With $4 Million for Economic Vitality Initiatives in Arizona, California, and Nevada
SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 16 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, a federal district bank, issued the following news release:
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) is allocating $4 million to its annual Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) economic development program, to be distributed through grants of up to $100,000 throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada. Since the program's inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has partnered with its member financial institutions to award over $25 million in grants to about 800
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SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 16 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, a federal district bank, issued the following news release:
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) is allocating $4 million to its annual Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) economic development program, to be distributed through grants of up to $100,000 throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada. Since the program's inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has partnered with its member financial institutions to award over $25 million in grants to about 800projects that are creating economic opportunity through innovative and targeted initiatives that benefit underserved communities.
"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our AHEAD program, we are invigorated by the positive impact this funding has had in the communities we serve, boosting job creation, skills training, small business support, and other vital programs in our region," said Teresa Bryce Bazemore, president and CEO of FHLBank San Francisco. "Alongside our dedicated member institutions, we are proud that our 2024 AHEAD Program will fund another $4 million in grants and we look forward to witnessing how this program increases economic vitality in the years to come."
The AHEAD grant program supports FHLBank San Francisco's members in forging strong and productive relationships with nonprofit organizations that have specific economic and community development expertise. FHLBank San Francisco encourages its members to partner with local nonprofits, government agencies, and Tribal organizations to submit grant applications for projects that give a boost to low- to moderate-income communities by:
* Creating or preserving jobs
* Delivering job training or education programs
* Supporting small business, microlending, and microenterprise incubation for low-income entrepreneurs
* Addressing the special economic development needs of at-risk youth, veterans, persons with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated, and Tribal communities, among others.
In 2023, FHLBank San Francisco and its members awarded $4 million in AHEAD Program grants to 75 recipients including:
* $100,000 to Change Labs, Inc. in Tuba City, Arizona, alongside Oxford Life Insurance Company. Change Labs is a Native-led nonprofit organization serving the Navajo and Hopi nations and driven by a core mission of empowering the local community through entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development.
* $70,000 to Ventures in Watsonville, California, alongside Bay Federal Credit Union. Devoted to building equitable economies and community well-being, Ventures used the funding to support staff and operating costs to effectively service rural Latino working-class families on California's Central Coast through their Familias con Mas program, which coaches participants on how to budget, avoid predatory lending, improve their credit, and manage their debt.
* $100,000 to The Public Education Foundation (PEF) in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside Wells Fargo National Bank West. The funding enabled PEF to help public school students, families, and educators by supporting staff salaries and mentee stipends. In partnership with the Clark County School District, PEF expanded their Teacher Pathway workforce development program to provide 16 paraprofessional veterans with mentorship and tailored support on their path to become licensed teachers with increased salaries while also addressing the teacher shortage in Southern Nevada.
"With this program, our driving focus is to deliver funding to communities where it can make the greatest impact and provide meaningful support," said Eric Cicourel, senior vice president and community investment officer at FHLBank San Francisco. "Given the economic strain experienced by far too many people post-pandemic, we are proud that we can help ignite economic empowerment initiatives that will have a ripple effect in the communities we and our members serve."
As part of a dual mission to provide liquidity and support affordable housing and community development, each FHLBank is required to set aside 10% of its income to fund its Affordable Housing Program. FHLBank San Francisco works to exceed that requirement by voluntarily providing an additional 5% of its net income to fund supplemental programs and initiatives that foster economic vitality and community development, including its AHEAD economic development grant program, Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program, Empowering Black Homeownership grants for Housing Counseling Agencies, and a Tribal Nations Program which provides critically necessary infrastructure funding grants to increase the supply of affordable housing for Native American communities.
Applications for the AHEAD Program are now open. The deadline for FHLBank San Francisco members partnering with nonprofits, government agencies, and Tribal organizations to submit applications for grants is June 3, 2024. Grant recipients will be announced in early September.
To learn more about the AHEAD Program (http://www.fhlbsf.com/community-programs/grant-programs/ahead) and the application process, please visit fhlbsf.com.
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About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions -- commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions -- help finance affordable housing projects, propel homeownership, drive economic growth, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient and changing lives for the better.
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Original text here: https://www.fhlbsf.com/about/newsroom/fhlbank-san-francisco-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-ahead-grant-program-with-4
EPA Proposes PCBs Cleanup Plan for Spokane River
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comment (https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/spokane-river-pcb-tmdls) on its proposed plan to reduce the amount of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in the Spokane River basin.
PCBs in surface water readily accumulate in aquatic organisms, meaning even small amounts in the environment can pose health problems for people who consume fish.
The agency's plan establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load for PCBs-- often referred to as a pollution budget - to
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comment (https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/spokane-river-pcb-tmdls) on its proposed plan to reduce the amount of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in the Spokane River basin.
PCBs in surface water readily accumulate in aquatic organisms, meaning even small amounts in the environment can pose health problems for people who consume fish.
The agency's plan establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load for PCBs-- often referred to as a pollution budget - toprotect human health and aquatic life along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers of Washington and highlights the need to continue to reduce PCBs from both industries and communities in the Spokane Valley.
While PCBs were banned in 1979, they were widely used by multiple industries to lubricate and cool equipment and some of that equipment, like electrical transformers manufactured before the ban, are sources of the chemicals found in the 100 river miles of the Spokane River watershed.
For more information on how to comment on the draft plan, go to: https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/spokane-river-pcb-tmdls
EPA will be issuing the final Spokane River TMDL for PCBs by September 30, 2024.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-pcbs-cleanup-plan-spokane-river
Court Approves EPA Settlement Requiring Payment of Response Costs at Missouri Electric Works Superfund Site in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
LENEXA, Kansas, May 16 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on May 15, 2024:
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the court approval of a settlement agreement with 36 private parties and three federal agencies for payment of EPA's past and future cleanup costs at the Missouri Electric Works Superfund Site in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The settlement agreement is issued under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund.
Under the terms of the settlement,
... Show Full Article
LENEXA, Kansas, May 16 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on May 15, 2024:
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the court approval of a settlement agreement with 36 private parties and three federal agencies for payment of EPA's past and future cleanup costs at the Missouri Electric Works Superfund Site in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The settlement agreement is issued under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund.
Under the terms of the settlement,the polluting private parties will pay $6,074,739 and the federal agencies, also responsible for pollution, will pay $600,798 to the United States to satisfy EPA's past and future cleanup costs. Additionally, the private parties will pay $625,261 and the federal agencies will pay $61,839 to the state of Missouri in settlement of state response costs.
The site is an approximately 6.4-acre parcel, located in Cape Girardeau, at which the former Missouri Electric Works Inc. sold, serviced, and remanufactured transformers and other equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Releases of PCBs and volatile organic compounds from the facility resulted in soil and groundwater contamination at the site. EPA has been overseeing investigation and cleanup at the site since the 1980s.
EPA designated the property as a Superfund site in 1990. Under Superfund, EPA enforces the "polluter pays" principle, which holds responsible parties accountable for cleanup and reimbursement of EPA's oversight costs throughout a contaminated site's history.
For more information, visit the Missouri Electric Works Superfund Site Profile page (https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0701474).
Learn more (https://www.epa.gov/superfund) about the Superfund program.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/court-approves-epa-settlement-requiring-payment-response-costs-missouri-electric-works
