Monday, November 30, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Update - November 30, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Calendar November 30 – December 4, 2009
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MONDAY Nancy – Russellville; Mark & Susan – Helena
TUESDAY Caroline – Batesville
WEDNESDAY Caroline – Batesville; State Review Board; Susan – UCA, p.m.
THURSDAY Susan – out, a.m.; Nancy – El Dorado
FRIDAY
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Heber Press
LR/NLR 6th Most Livable Bargain City
Blytheville Money for Main Press
Hollowing Out the Middle
Talk by Urban Affairs Director
Arkansas Chambers Persevere
AR Site Selection Website Not Just for Consultants
Free Webinar on Downtowns Hosted by IDA
Grant Opportunity


Good Heber Springs Press, including a section on downtown
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=118513

LR Ranked 6th Most Livable Bargain Cities
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=118454
- nice mention of the Distinctive Dozen Destinations award which we wrote

Good Blytheville Chamber/Money for Main Press
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=118516

Hollowing Out the Middle – The Rural Brain Drain & What it Means for America
Video of a Talk by the author, Patrick Carr
http://www.booktv.org/Program/11006/Hollowing+Out+the+Middle+The+Rural+Brain+Drain+and+What+it+Means+for+America.aspx

- website of the book:
http://hollowingoutthemiddle.com/

more video of a lecture
http://forum-network.org/lecture/hollowing-out-middle-rural-brain-drain

and more video
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/id/215732

This is an interesting & important subject leaders in rural Arkansas should be addressing & learning about. Take a look at a blurb about the book:
One reason is that many small towns [are dying is they] simply aren’t regenerating, but another is that its educated young people are leaving in droves.
In Ellis, Iowa authors Carr and Kefalas met the working-class “stayers,” struggling in the region’s dying agro-industrial economy; the high-achieving and college-bound “achievers,” who often left for good; the “seekers” who head off to war to see what the world beyond offers; and the “returners,” who eventually circled back to their hometowns. What surprised them most was that adults in the community were playing a pivotal part in the town’s decline by pushing the best and brightest young people to leave, and by under-investing in those who choose to stay, even though these young people are their best chance for a future.
The emptying out of small towns is a national concern, but there are strategies for arresting the process and creating sustainable, thriving communities. Hollowing Out the Middle is a wake-up call we cannot afford to ignore-¬not only because 60 million Americans still live in rural communities and small towns, but because our nation’s economic health and future is tied to the Heartland.


Interesting Talk by Adolfo Carrion, White House Director of Urban Affairs
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/290002-5

Arkansas Chambers Persevere in Downturn

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=118509

- where does your chamber rank membership wise? Find out here:
- http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/news/print_editions/ab_chambers_list_09.pdf

Site Selection Website Not Just for Consultants
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=118487

- have you made sure your information is correct? Have you added information on your downtown buildings?
- http://www.arkansassiteselection.com/

Free Webinar - Friday, December 4, 2009 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
The Role of Downtown in Attracting and Keeping Young Talent

International Downtown Association Webcast with Rebecca Ryan

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/353523832
North American cities are engaged in an unprecedented war for people. The urban heart of a city beats with the energy of young professionals. Your downtown is your city’s showroom, and it’s what the next generation studies when deciding where to live and work. Therefore, it is imperative that governments at all levels increase their investment in downtowns. Rebecca Ryan is a human spark plug. She’s the founder of Next Generation Consulting and author of Live First, Work Second. As a sought-out communicator, Rebecca inspires thousands of audience members each year to build better places to live and work for the next generation. Get a recap of Rebecca’s presentation at IDA’s annual conference in Milwaukee. Learn how your downtown plays a critical role in attracting and retaining the well-educated, talented workforce your entire city needs.


Applications Invited for American Hiking Society's 2010 National Trails Fund

The American Hiking Society's National Trails Fund is the only privately supported national grants program that provides funding to grassroots organizations working to establish, protect, and maintain foot trails in the United States.
National Trails Fund grants are designed to give local organizations the resources they need to secure access, volunteers, tools, and materials to repair and protect America's hiking trails. To date, American Hiking has granted nearly $382,000 to 105 different trail projects across the U.S. for land acquisition, constituency building campaigns, and a variety of trail work projects.
Awards typically range from $500 to $5,000 per project.
Visit the American Hiking Web site for complete program information.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Monday, November 23, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Update - November 23, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Calendar November 23 - 27, 2009
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MONDAY Nancy – Searcy
TUESDAY Nancy – out a.m.
WEDNESDAY Mark – off
THURSDAY closed for Thanksgiving
FRIDAY office closed
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Downtown Pine Bluff News
Main Street Paragould Press
Fledgling Firms Hear the Score from Non-Profits
Hampton Inn’s Arkansas Save a Landmark Program
Arkansas Media Room Seeks Tourism Releases
Enter the Digital Age of Arkansas History
2 Grant Opportunities


Downtown Pine Bluff News
http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2009/11/13/news/news2.txt

Main Street Paragould Press
http://www.paragoulddailypress.com/articles/2009/11/16/local_news/doc4b01aded28e38968838237.txt

Fledgling Firms Hear the Score from Nonprofits
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=118354

Hampton Inn’s Save a Landmark Program – 3 Arkansas Finalist
http://www.hamptonlandmarks.com/VoteLandMarkResults.aspx?statename=Arkansas&state=4&cat=10&vote=1
- the finalists are in West Memphis, NLR & Sherwood

Arkansas Media Room Seeks Tourism Releases
The communications section of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has added a new area to the Arkansas Media Room on www.Arkansas.com entitled From the Industry. This new page is a special area for releases written by members of the Arkansas tourism industry.

Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureaus, attractions and other tourism-related businesses now have another resource to promote upcoming events, attractions and news. Articles should be submitted for consideration to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism travel writer who represents the appropriate area of the state.

• Northwest Arkansas/Arkansas River Valley: Jill Rohrbach, jill.rohrbach at cox-internet.net
• North Central/Eastern Arkansas/Delta: Kim Williams, Kimberly.j.williams at arkansas.gov
• Ouachitas/South Arkansas Timberlands: Zoie Clift, zoie.clift at gmail.com
• Central Arkansas: Kerry Kraus, Kerry.kraus at arkansas.gov

To visit this page, go to http://www.arkansasmediaroom.com/industry/. For more information, contact Dena Woerner, communications manager, at dena.woerner at arkansas.gov or 501-682-7606.

ENTER THE DIGITAL AGE OF ARKANSAS HISTORY!
Entries Accepted to January 4, 2010

Participants can enter original, short, non-fiction video or audio webcasts about Arkansas history. The competition will feature two age categories for entrants: students in grades 5–12 and adults (college and up).

Awards will be presented and entries will be featured at a special event on February 4. Prizes include myspace page-building services provided by Aristotle Interactive and cash awards.

Official rules and entry forms are available at www.ARDigitalShorts.com

National Leadership Grants

Deadline: February 1, 2010
Contact Information:
Institute of Museum and Library Services
http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/nationalLeadership.shtm
Program Overview
National Leadership Grants support projects that have the potential to elevate museum and library practice. The Institute seeks to advance the ability of museums and libraries to preserve culture, heritage and knowledge while enhancing learning. IMLS welcomes proposals that promote the skills necessary to develop 21st century communities, citizens, and workers.
Successful proposals will have national impact and generate results—new tools, research, models, services, practices, or alliances—that can be widely adapted or replicated to extend the benefit of federal investment. The Institute seeks to fund projects that have the following characteristics:
Strategic Impact—Proposals should address key needs and challenges that face libraries and museums. They should expand the boundaries within which libraries and museums operate, show the potential for far-reaching impact, and influence practice throughout the museum and/or library communities.
Innovation—Proposals should demonstrate a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge about the project area, and show how the project will advance the state of the art of museum and library service.
Collaboration—While partners are not required in all National Leadership Grant categories, the Institute has found that involving carefully chosen partners with complementary competencies and resources can create powerful synergies that extend project impact. Proposals should show understanding of the challenges of collaboration and propose means for addressing them.
Applications may be submitted in the following categories: Advancing Digital Resources, Research, Demonstration, and Library and Museum Collaboration Grants.
Collaborative Planning Grants are also available in any of the four categories to enable project teams from more than one institution to work together to plan a project for a National Leadership Grant.

For full grant information visit the IMLS website.
Cities of Service Coalition Offers Grants to Mayors for Community Service Plans
The Cities of Service Coalition was founded in September 2009 by mayors from around the United States seeking to respond to the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act's call to action by finding new and innovative ways to deploy volunteers in addressing local challenges.
With support from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Fund for Cities of Service will award ten cities $200,000 each over two years to hire Chief Service Officers to lead local efforts to develop and implement a comprehensive service plan on behalf of their mayor.
To be considered for the grant, a city's mayor must be a member of the Cities of Service coalition. Coalition members have signed a Declaration of Service that commits them to developing a comprehensive service plan for volunteers in their own cities and to work with other elected officials in promoting the service movement across the United States.
The coalition is open to all mayors who agree to the program's provisos. (Mayors interested in joining the Cities of Service Coalition should visit: http://www.citiesofservice.org for registration information.) In addition, all applicant cities must have at least 100,000 residents and be home to at least one community college or a four-year public or private university.
Applications must be submitted by the city's Office of the Mayor. Applications from nonprofits or other external groups on behalf of a mayor will not be accepted.
Visit the coalition Web site for complete program information.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Monday, November 9, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Update - November 9, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Calendar November 9- 13, 2009
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MONDAY
TUESDAY orientation - Morrilton
WEDNESDAY Veteran’s Day – office closed
THURSDAY Greg, Susan & Mark - Rogers
FRIDAY Greg, Susan & Mark – Rogers
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Making Preservation Relevant for the Next 50 Years
Paragould Attorney Breathing New Life Into Local Landmark
Murals
4 Essential Fundraising Tweaks for your Appeal in the Recession
9 Funding Opportunities



Making Preservation Relevant for the Next 50 Years

http://www.placeeconomics.com/2009/10/making-preservation-relevant-for-next_18.html


Paragould Attorney Breathing New Life Into Local Landmark

http://www.paragoulddailypress.com/articles/2009/11/02/local_news/doc4aecccc83e55e661827789.txt

Murals
http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/news/the-50-most-stunning-wall-murals-from-around-the-world/

4 Essential Fundraising Tweaks for your Appeal in the Recession

http://www.fundraising123.org/article/four-essential-tweaks-your-appeals-recession

9 Funding Opportunities


Arkansas Department of Rural Services Community Enhancement Grant Program 11/20/09 Assist rural communities with the development and improvement of local facilities Incorporated cities/towns & unincorporated communities in RURAL areas of less than 20,000/population; max award $50,000; cost sharing not required; number available varied AR Dept. of Rural Services
101 East Capitol, Suite 202
Little Rock, AR 72201
www.arkansas.gov/drs


Arkansas Department of Rural Services Rural Community Grants Program
12/11/09
03/19/10 Improvement of local fire protection & related emergency services and construction, development & improvement of local facilities Incorporated cities/towns & unincorporated communities in RURAL areas of less than 3,000 in population; cost sharing is 50/50 match; max award $15,000; number available will vary AR Dept. of Rural Services
101 East Capitol, Suite 202
Little Rock, AR 72201
www.arkansas.gov/drs


National Endowment for the Humanities Interpreting America’s Historic Places – Implementation and Planning Grants 01/13/10 Support public projects that exploit evocative power of historic places to explore stories, ideas, & beliefs that deepen our understanding of our lives and our world 501c3 organizations and state/local government entities; 18-36 month project period; cost sharing is not required; planning award range $40,000-$75,000; implementation award approximately $400,000

Division of Public Programs
National Endowment for the Humanities
Room 426
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20506
www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/IAHP_Implementation.html

Entergy Corporation Open Grants Program
OPEN Focuses on improving communities as a whole Non-profit organizations; number of awards available and amount of award will vary http://www.entergy.com/our_community/Grant_Guidelines.aspx

Kresge Foundation
OPEN Building nonprofit sustainability through capital challenge grants 501c3 organizations; amount/number of awards available will vary 3215 W. Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084 248-643-9630
www.kresge.org

The Rebsamen Fund
OPEN Arts/culture, education, health, youth dev., wildlife preservation & protection, human services Contact the foundation for specific eligibility information Rebsamen Fund
11219 Financial Centre Parkway, Suite 303
Little Rock, AR 72211

USDA/Communities Facilities Program Rural Emergency Responders
OPEN Provide fire, police and ambulatory equipment Non-profits and public bodies; max award $50,000; CAHs that need equipment upgrades in their ER department would be a high priority for grant funds if eligible Applications are processed through one of the 6 Arkansas Area Offices - www.rurdev.usda.gov/ar
www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/cf/brief_cp_grant.htm

Sunderland Foundation
OPEN Dedicated to community building (prefers capital and special projects) Publicly supported 501c3 charitable organizations; amount available varies, number available is unknown President, The Sunderland Foundation
P.O. Box 25900
Overland Park, Kansas 66225
http://www.sunderlandfoundation.org/

Verizon Foundation
OPEN To improve the quality of life in Verizon communities Non profit org., elementary/secondary schools; award amounts/# available vary http://foundation.verizon.com/grant/application.shtml

Monday, November 2, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Update - November 2, 2009

Main Street Arkansas Calendar November 2 – 6, 2009
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MONDAY Cary – out, a.m.
TUESDAY Cary - Commerce Arkansas; Susan – annual leave;
WEDNESDAY Cary – Conway, p.m.; Susan – annual leave
THURSDAY Susan – annual leave
FRIDAY
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IN THIS ISSUE:

Ozark Branding
Development District Proposed for Helena/West Helena
TN Main Street Video
Historic Hotel For Sale in Downtown Rogers
10 Small Biz Social Media Marketing Tips
3 Metro Areas on Upswing to Recover
Embrace Millennials LR Told
MSR Before Council
Article on Recent MS Session in Nashville
The Best Place to Buy an Old House
USGBC in LR
Federal Reserve Workshop
4 Grant Opportunities


Excellent Branding Results in Ozark last week. Check them out here:
http://www.downtownbranding.com/ozark/

Development District Proposed for Downtown Helena
http://www.helena-arkansas.com/homepage/x914715755/Development-district-looms-on-horizon

Check out TN Main Street’s Video Competition
http://tn.gov/ecd/tnopenforbusiness/

Historic Hotel For Sale in Downtown Rogers
http://www.4029tv.com/news/21356570/detail.html

10 Small Business Social Media Marketing Tips
http://mashable.com/2009/10/28/small-business-marketing/

Three Metro Areas On Upswing to Recovery
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.asp?aid=117742

Embrace Millennials LR Told
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.asp?aid=117822

MSR Goes Before Council
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2009/10/25/news/102609rzcouncil.txt

Article I Wrote on the Main Street Coordinators’ Meeting & Session at the NTHP Conference
http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/main-street-news/story-of-the-week/2009/main-street-coordinators-meet.html

captured live feed of our session
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc/2009-nashville/virtual-attendee/session-feeds/saturday.html

The Best Place to Buy an Old House
PreservationDirectory.com teamed up with This Old House magazine to promote their search for "The Best Places to Buy an Old House." An upcoming issue and Web feature will identify affordable—or just plain magnificent—homes in historic neighborhoods in the US. Nominations due Nov. 16. Send information outlined above to This Old House Associate Editor, Keith Pandolfi at
keith_pandolfi at timeinc.com


November 23, USGBC Chief to Speak at the Clinton School
Richard Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chairman, U.S. Green Building Council
Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
- The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering a sustainable future for America through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
*Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms at clintonschool.uasys.edu or calling 501.683.5239.
Please make plans to attend the upcoming symposium sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Little Rock Branch:

Trends and Innovation in Rental Housing - A Neighborhood Stabilization Strategy.
November 12
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(Continental breakfast will be served beginning at 8:30 a.m.)

Hilton Little Rock Metro Center
925 S. University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72204

Innovative approaches to rental housing are proving effective both for neigh¬borhood stabilization and individual asset development. This symposium will feature national, state and regional experts who will discuss the latest trends in rental housing, replicable best practices and valuable resources for implementing a sustainable rental strategy in your community.
Symposium topics:
• Low Income Housing Tax Credits,
• resident-centered development strategies,
• innovative asset development strategies, and
• rural rental housing.

Speakers will include representatives from The Housing Assistance Council, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mid-South Delta LISC, Great Lakes Capital Fund, Cornerstone Corporation for Shared Equity, The Arkansas Development Finance Authority and United Housing.



Registration fee: $25
Registration deadline: November 6
Register with a credit card online at www.stlouisfed.org/community_development.
If you prefer to pay with a check or cash, call Julie Kerr at 501-324-8296 or send an e-mail to julie.a.kerr at stls.frb.org.

4 Grant Opportunities
National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Public Programs grants
The Division of Public Programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities funds public projects at museums, libraries, historic sites, and other historical and cultural organizations. The organization offers grants that support historic site interpretation, exhibits, reading or film discussion series, symposia, and digital projects. For more information contact the Division of Public Programs, 202-606-8269 or www.neh.gov. The application deadline for funds from the America’s Historical and Cultural Organizations and Interpreting America’s Historic Places programs is January 13, 2010.

Home Depot Accepting Applications for Building Healthy Communities Grant Program
Deadline: December 15, 2009
Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded to nonprofits for materials that equip volunteers working to improve the physical health of their communities through activities that enhance green spaces and community structures....

National Endowment for the Humanities: Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
This program supports efforts to preserve large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting preventive conservation measures that mitigate deterioration and prolong the useful life of collections.
Department of Agriculture: National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program
This program provides funds to urban and community forestry projects that have national or widespread application and impact.