August Update: Progress, Possibilities & Planning for the Future

Catie Noethlich
Aug 5
2 min read

Updated: Aug 6

As summer winds down, we wanted to take a moment to share a few updates on current initiatives, grant applications, and exciting opportunities coming up in Clark County. While a few big decisions are still pending, we’ve been actively laying the groundwork for continued growth, and I am thrilled about what’s ahead.

USDA Grant - Still Pending

Earlier this year, we submitted an application for a USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) to expand Choose Clark County’s Revolving Loan Fund. The USDA initially projected award notifications would begin in June, but unfortunately, no updates have been released yet. As of now, the process is on hold at the federal level, and decisions are likely to be made closer to the end of the fiscal year in September.

If no action is taken by then, the process may reset entirely, and we’d need to reapply in 2026. While we’re hopeful, we’re also staying proactive in finding other ways to support local businesses in the meantime. (Which, don’t forget: over $12,000 is currently available in the fund right now!)

Bush Foundation Grant – Pending

We also submitted a proposal to the Bush Foundation for a major community-building grant, $250,000 in total. This is a highly competitive program that supports innovative, equity-driven work across the region. If awarded, this grant would be a game-changer for Clark County, allowing us to fund multi-faceted initiatives that directly support long-term community development.

We’ll find out on October 28, and we’ll keep you posted!

Healthy Landscapes, Healthy Communities Project - Awarded!

Here’s one we did get! The City of Clark has been selected to participate in SDSU Extension’s Healthy Landscapes, Healthy Communities program, a unique opportunity to work alongside landscape architects, planners, and community members to shape the physical future of our town.

We'll be hosting a Community Forum to introduce the project and gather input:

Wednesday, September 10

Clark Golf Course Clubhouse

5:30 PM

This session is open to everyone, and we’d love your voice in the conversation. The project will focus on things like:

Creating walkable connections between community hubs
Planning for future growth areas
Reimagining underused spaces
Enhancing quality of life through intentional design

This is about planning for the future together, so we’re ready when the next round of funding opportunities comes our way.

Community Leadership Institute – Scholarships Awarded!

We’re also proud to announce that four community members from Clark County were awarded scholarships to attend the National Community Leadership Institute this October. This program brings together teams from across the country to build leadership skills, collaborate on local challenges, and create a project plan they’ll implement back home.

All travel, lodging, and training costs are covered thanks to the support of the program, and even better, our team will bring back a grant to fund a local community project we design during the training.

Stay tuned to see what they create and how you can get involved!

In Summary:

While we wait on some big decisions, we’re not sitting still. From grant writing to community planning and leadership development, momentum is building, and we’re excited about the future of Clark County.

If you'd like to get involved in any of these initiatives, or just want to stay informed, don’t hesitate to reach out.

director@chooseclarkcounty.com