Monday, January 25, 2010

Main Street Arkansas Update - January 25, 2010

Reminder - February Quarterly Training

Our next quarterly training will be in Little Rock, February 9-10, 2010. You should have received both email & hard copy information about the training. Let us know if you have questions.

Main Street Arkansas Calendar January 25-29, 2010
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MONDAY
TUESDAY Greg – Jonesboro; Nancy & Mark – Mosaic Templars (African American Entrepreneurship workshop)
WEDNESDAY Nancy out – a.m.; Cary & Mark – Hardy (working with the board & city)
THURSDAY Susan & Caroline – Heber Springs (social media workshop & storefront work)
FRIDAY Susan – Paragould (working on upper story residential project)
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IN THIS ISSUE:
LR 59th Worst Commute
Video of Smart Growth Awards
Downtown Rector Press
NEA Offers Grants for Urban Design
Need for Planning in an Aging Society
Wealthy Donors Narrowed to 6 Types


LR 59th Worst Commute in the Country
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-19/americas-75-worst-commutes/full/

Video of the Smart Growth Awards
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards/sg_awards_publication_2009.htm

• A new report by Smart Growth America, done in conjunction with US PIRG and the Center for Neighborhood Technology, analyzed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act transportation spending to date. The report shows that transit investments have created more jobs dollar-for-dollar than highway spending.

Rector’s Membership in the Arkansas Downtown Network touted as Feather in Community Development Cap
http://www.claycountydemocrat.com/story/1604255.html

NEA Offers Grants for Urban Design
http://arts.hikool.com/nea-offers-grants-for-urban-design/

The Need for Planning in an Aging Society
Community design, the availability of amenities, and ease of mobility have a tremendous impact on the aging population, but the 50+ community is often ignored when these elements are being planned. AARP's Livable Communities Initiative offers guidance to planners on how to better understand, evaluate and plan for the needs of older adults.
http://www.planetizen.com/node/28644

Wealthy Donors Narrowed Down to Six Types
A new study identifies six types of high net worth donors and explains what motivates them to give. Click here for more information, or go to the following link:

http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4305

Friday, January 22, 2010

Main Street Arkansas Update, January 18, 2010

Reminder - February Quarterly Training

Our next quarterly training will be in Little Rock, February 9-10, 2010. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Presidential at the rate of $89.99. This rate has been extended until January 22, 2010. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 501.375.2100 or 866-900-7625. Please have your guests refer to the “Main Street Arkansas” group rate when making reservations, in order to receive the discount.

Main Street Arkansas Calendar January 18-22, 2010
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MONDAY office closed in honor of the MLK holiday
TUESDAY Cary – Blytheville (branding)
WEDNESDAY Cary – Blytheville (branding)
THURSDAY Cary, Caroline, Mark, Susan, Nancy – Blytheville (branding); Greg – Springdale – ADN presentation
FRIDAY
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Downtown Pine Bluff News
Five Internal Controls for Small Non Profits
Downtown LR Partnership Using SurveyMonkey.com
Help with the 990
Google City Tours
Wal Mart Begins Charging for Bags in Some Stores
“Green” is Dead
Smart Growth Visualizations
Grant Opportunity


Downtown Pine Bluff News
http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2010/01/12/news/news4.txt

Five Internal Controls for Small Non Profits
http://www.blueavocado.org/node/485

Downtown LR Partnership Using SurveyMoneky.com to Engage the Public
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2010/01/remaking_lrs_main_street.aspx
- full disclosure: Missy, Boyd & I sit on the Partnership’s Existing Structures committee

Help with Form 990 – pdf document
http://my.preservationnation.org/site/DocServer/governance_guide_sheet.pdf?docID=7941

New – Google City Tours
http://citytours.googlelabs.com/import
- what does Google say about your city?

Wal Mart Begins Charging for Bags in Some Stores
http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/walmart-charges-bags-california-2555223.html

The “Green” Brand is Dead
http://www.build2sustain.com/blog/2010/1/8/green-is-a-dead-brand.html

Smart Growth Visualizations
http://www.nrdc.org/smartGrowth/visions/FeaturedScenarios.asp

Green Building Grant 2010 Program


The USGBC- Central Arkansas Branch announces the 2010 Green Building Grant Program. The Green Building Grant is open to any applicant but preference will be given to nonprofits, schools, or government organizations who seek to build or remodel in Central Arkansas. The maximum grant is $3000. Deadline to submit a proposal is January 29, 2010.
This would be a great way to "seed" a new green project or pay LEED registration/design fees.
Jackie Jernigan, Chair of the Green Building Grant Committee states, "In today's tight economy, it is important that we support local projects that expand green building practices in our state. We hope this Green Building Grant will allow the applicant to complete a green project will have a positive impact on their community through energy efficiency, healthier buildings and low environmental impact. " Other members of the Green Building Grant Committee are Cliff McKinney, Jeff Yates and Linda K. Smith.
Complete details at www.usgbc-ar.org

Monday, January 11, 2010

Main Street Arkansas Update - January 11, 2010

February Quarterly Training Reminder

Our next quarterly training will be in Little Rock, February 8-10, 2010. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Presidential at the rate of $89.99. This rate is good until January 22, 2010. Please make your reservations prior to the 9th! Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 501-375-2100 or 866-900-7625. Please have your guests refer to the Main Street Arkansas group rate when making reservations, in order to receive the group rate. We will send out a final agenda hard copy & email this week.

MSA grant application period will open March 15 & close April 23.

The Arkansas Downtown Network application period for new communities is open through March 31. Applications can be downloaded here: http://www.arkansaspreservation.org/pdf/main_street/2010_ADN_Application.doc

Main Street Arkansas Calendar January 11 – 15, 2010
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MONDAY Caroline – (attending board meeting, prep for 2.25 White Elephant Workshop); Susan – Paragould (working with merchants)
TUESDAY Caroline – Texarkana
WEDNESDAY Susan, Caroline – Morrilton (Window Display Workshop)
THURSDAY Susan, Mark – West Memphis
FRIDAY
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Office closed – Monday, January 18 in honor of the Martin Luther King Holiday


IN THIS ISSUE:
AHPP Accepting Grant Applications
Downtown Jonesboro Press
2010 Downtown Trends
New Sites Dabble with Web Tool to Prod Local Officials
New City Hall Spurring Downtown Development?
Number of Charities in US on Rise
Rightsizing Shrinking Cities
Embracing the Economics of Preservation
Arkansas Urban Forestry Conference


AHPP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANTS

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, will accept applications for its Historic Preservation Restoration Grant and County Courthouse Restoration Subgrant programs through March 12, AHPP Director Frances McSwain announced today.
Two Historic Preservation Restoration Grant options are available for rehabilitation of historic structures in Arkansas:
• Option 1 grants of up to $10,000 are available to the owners of properties that are listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places or are non-contributing structures in National Register historic districts if the grant project will make the property eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the owner follows through with the National Register listing process
• Option 2 grants of $10,000 or more are available to the owners of properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and owned by a not-for-profit organization or a local government.
County Courthouse Restoration Subgrants are available for preservation work at county courthouse buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The program uses funds provided by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, which distributes money raised through the state Real Estate Transfer Tax.
Anyone considering applying for an AHPP Historic Preservation Restoration Grant or County Courthouse Restoration Subgrant is urged to submit a letter of intent on the project. The letter of intent form is available at http://www.arkansaspreservation.org/preservation-services/grant-programs/ .
Guidelines and applications for the Historic Preservation Restoration Grant and County Courthouse Restoration Subgrant programs can be downloaded from the AHPP web site at http://www.arkansaspreservation.org/preservation-services/grant-programs/ guidelines also can be acquired by writing AHPP Grants, 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center St., Little Rock, AR 72201. Requests also can be sent to the agency via fax at (501) 324-9184 or via e-mail at joia at arkansasheritage.org. All applications must be delivered to the AHPP office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2010; faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Downtown Jonesboro Association Press
http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=41357

2010 Downtown Trends
http://www.msmainstreet.com/index.php/events_news/news_article/533/

News Sites Dabble with Web Tool to Nudge Local Officials
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/04/business/media/04click.html

New City Hall Seen as Catalyst for Downtown Development
http://www.governing.com/column/las-vegas-rolls-dice-new-city-hall

Number of Charities in US Rise, Costing Tax Dollars
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/us/06charity.html?_r=1
- per the article, 99% of all IRS charity applications were approved last year

Rightsizing Shrinking Cities Requires Patience & Prudence
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/01/rightsizing_shrinking_cities_r.html

Embracing the Economics of Historic Preservation
http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/1218/1218rc_historicpreservation.cfm

Arkansas Urban Forestry Conference
Feb 8-10,2010 Fort Smith - For more information visit http://www.arkansastrees.org/

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Main Street Arkansas Update - January 4, 2010

February Quarterly Training Reminder

Our next quarterly training will be in Little Rock, February 8-10, 2010. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Presidential at the rate of $89.99. This rate is good until January 9, 2010. Please make your reservations prior to the 9th! Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 501-375-2100 or 866-900-7625. Please have your guests refer to the Main Street Arkansas group rate when making reservations, in order to receive the group rate. We will send out a final agenda hard copy & email this week.

MSA grant application period will open March 15 & close April 23.

Susan – out all week
Main Street Arkansas Calendar January 4 - 11
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MONDAY Mark M – out; Caroline – Blytheville
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY Greg – Jonesboro
THURSDAY Greg & Caroline – Springdale
FRIDAY
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Blytheville Press
Russellville Press
Texarkana Press
Jane Jacobs Says. . .
Dose of Reality on Unemployment
AEDC Accepting Grant Applications


MSB Flourishes
http://www.neabusinesstoday.com/view/100

MSR Press
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2010/jan/03/russellville-step-right-direction-20100103/

Main Street Texarkana Grants Press
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2009/12/27/grants-available-for-downtown-restoratio-31.php

Jane Says. . .
http://www.orton.org/blog/jane_says

thanks to Bob Wilson for this
Dose of Reality on Unemployment
http://cohort11.americanobserver.net/latoyaegwuekwe/multimediafinal.html


AEDC accepting applications for General Assistance grants

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is now accepting proposals for grant funding for General Assistance and Innovative Projects.
The grants will be administered by the Grants Management Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). To be eligible for Community Development Block Grant funds, communities must have a population of less than 50,000 and a majority of households earn low to moderate income. In addition, all projects must benefit persons of low to moderate income, help eliminate conditions of slum and blight, or assist in addressing an urgent community need.
Grants will be for an amount between $50,000 and $200,000. Priority will be given to innovative projects, to communities with lower-than-average incomes, and to projects that address priorities cited in the State’s Consolidated Plan. Funding will be provided for projects under the following categories: Public Works, Public Facilities, and Innovative Projects.
Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2010. Grant awards will be made by July 1, 2010.
To obtain an application and a copy of the application guidelines, contact the Grants Management Division at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission at (501) 682-1211 or 1-800-ARKANSAS. Applications and guidelines can be viewed and downloaded online at the AEDC website, http://www.arkansasedc.com/ .