Main Street Arkansas Update - February 28, 2011

Downtown Rector


Main Street Arkansas Calendar February 28 – March 4 , 2011
*********************************************************************************
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY Greg & Susan – Texarkana
THURSDAY Greg, Susan, Mark, Nancy – Walnut Ridge & Rector
FRIDAY
*********************************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE:

The Smart Money’s on Historic Presevation (AR Green Guide)
Rogers Frisco Festival Admission Fee
Main Street Helena Gets Grant
Historic Wood Window Repair Assistance
RFP
Grantseeking Class in NW AR

The Smart Money’s On Historic Preservation/Downtown El Dorado Presshttp://www.inarkansas.com/23679/el-dorado-preserves-its-historic-downtown - one of the cover stories for the Arkansas Green Guide. We have some nice quotes. Check it out.

Rogers’ Frisco Festival Admission Feehttp://www.nwaonline.com/news/2011/feb/22/frisco-festival-board-eyes-admission-fee/

Main Street Helena Gets Grant http://www.helena-arkansas.com/newsnow/x1596408404/Main-Street-Helena-to-get-Heritage-Month-Grant

Historic Wood Window Repair Assistance
- following up on our discussion at last week’s training, if you need help with historic wood window repair, contact Brian Driscoll in our office 501.324.9880 or brian at arkansasheritage.org

Technical Assistance to Build More Sustainable Communities, Request for ProposalsEPA's Office of Sustainable Communities is seeking proposals to create and deliver technical assistance programs to local and tribal governments facing common land use and development challenges. This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to fund up to three applicants that will provide technical assistance to multiple communities on the use of standardized, "ready to go" tools that lead to changes in local policies and development regulations. As a result of this RFP, the grantees will select and work with communities to increase their capacity to successfully implement smart growth and sustainable communities development approaches that protect the environment, improve public health, facilitate job creation and economic opportunity, and improve overall quality of life.
The maximum amount of funding for all awards under this RFP will be approximately $2.5 million, for up to three five-year assistance agreements, depending on funding availability and other applicable considerations. EPA expects to have approximately $500,000 for the first year of awards.
The closing date for receipt of hard copy proposal packages is March 31, 2011.

"GRANTSEEKING 101" CLASS – MARCH 8, Bentonville
Grantseeking 101 offers a fast-paced introduction to finding and obtaining grants for nonprofits and municipalities/counties. Discuss how to find funders, how to read guidelines, tips for strong proposals, and grant budgets. Grantseeking 101 will be held at the Compton Gardens Conference Center (312 N. Main, Bentonville) Tuesday, March 8, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm.
Registration fee: $50*/$45 for Priority Registrants
*Priority Registration: Priority and discount given to Board Member/Staff pairs from non-profits or two staff from municipalities/counties.
Size Limit: Class limited to 18 participants
To Register: E-mail Cheryl Kester at ckester at cox.net or call 479-582-1053.
Registration Deadline: March 1, 2011

Main Street Arkansas Update - February 21, 2011

Main Street Arkansas Calendar February 21 – 25 , 2011
*********************************************************************************
MONDAY Quarterly Training – 5:30 Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol
TUESDAY Quarterly Training – Mosaic Templars 501 West 9th Street
WEDNESDAY Quarterly Training – Mosaic Templars 501 West 9th Street
THURSDAY Mark – Morrilton; Susan, Nancy – Helena
FRIDAY Susan – SoMa
**********************************************************************************

IN THIS ISSUE:

Winrock BIG DEAL for Small Businesses
SBA Program for Refinancing
Eureka Springs Voted One of Coolest Towns in US
The Future of the Strip Mall: Downhill
Grant Opportunity
Green Streets: Webinar

Winrock’s BIG DEAL Program Offers Services for Small Business
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=125287

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=125459

SBA Announces Program for Refinancing Owner-Occupied Property
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/printable.aspx?aid=125485

Eureka Springs Voted One of the Coolest Towns in America
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=143988

- And take a look at the slide show ESDN put together for their annual picnic last week
http://www.slideshare.net/MoxieWorks/3rd-annual-esdn-company-picnic-2011

The Future of the Strip Mall: Downhill
http://citiwire.net/post/2517/


EPA Seeks Applicants for $1.2 Million in Environmental Justice Grants to Address Local Health and Environmental Issues

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting grant applications for $1.2 million in funding to support projects designed to research, educate, empower and enable communities to understand and address local health and environmental issues. Eligible applicants from non-profit, faith-based and tribal organizations working in the community of the proposed project are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2011.

Environmental Justice Small Grants funding is available for two categories of projects:

* 40 grants of up to $25,000 each to support projects that address a community’s local environmental issues through collaborative partnerships, and;

* 4 grants of up to $50,000 each to gather better science on the environmental and health impacts of exposure to multiple sources of pollution in communities.

More information on eligibility and how to apply: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/grants/ej-smgrants-rfp-2011.pdf

More information on the Environmental Justice Small Grant program: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html

GREEN STREETS as a Community Revitalization Strategy Webinar
Tuesday - March 1, 2011
12:00-1:30 PM Central
Register at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/968278187

Explore how Green Streets can be a sustainable stormwater management strategy that also contributes to community redevelopment. Many Midwestern cities are using ‘green street’ strategies in place of routine street rehabilitation to address stormwater, transportation, and neighborhood stabilization goals. By combining transportation choice with environmental strategies, a green street product can support redevelopment efforts from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Attendees will see a blend of planning, engineering, and neighborhood revitalization strategies from each panelist in a case study format.

This webinar will focus on several green streets pilot projects in Lansing, MI; Toledo, OH; and Chicago, IL. From the rainwater management strategies to the materials used in the street infrastructure, there are many elements of a street rehabilitation project that can ‘go green’ to assist with sustainability objectives and neighborhood stabilization.

No webinar cost, however, attendees need to reserve a webinar seat in advance at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/968278187
HUD, DOT, and EPA representatives will highlight the federal and state options to use agency funding to implement green streets projects in your community.
This free webinar is a Region 5 EPA & DOT program aimed at municipal staff, local officials, and technical consultants about the practical implementation of the Livability Principles that are the basis for the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

Main Street Arkansas Update - February 14, 2011

Historic Downtown Batesville

NEXT WEEK -Reminder – Quarterly Training February 21-23, Little Rock
I’ve sent out the schedule a few times, but as a reminder Monday is a 5:30 legislative reception at Curran Hall. Expect at least one more email on that this week.

Main Street Arkansas Calendar February 14 – , 2011
**********************************************************************************
MONDAY
TUESDAY Cary – South Main; Greg, Susan, Mark – Texarkana
WEDNESDAY Cary – Paragould (program assessment)
THURSDAY Cary – Batesville (program assessment); Nancy – Texarkana (design committee training)
FRIDAY Cary – Volunteer Commission
*********************************************************************************

IN THIS ISSUE:

Main Street El Dorado Press
Award Opportunity
Find Your Legislator
Census Data Released
Applications for 100 Best Communities Now Available

Main Street El Dorado Press
http://www.eldoradonews.com/news/localnews/2011/02/09/mini-grants-offered-to-downtown-firms-88.php

http://www.eldoradonews.com/news/localnews/2011/02/09/few-seats-remain-for-tritt-concert-84.php

ADEQ Stewardship Award
http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/poa/envy_award/envy_award_nominations.asp
- I think many of our programs can make a strong case for stewardship through revitalization & preservation

Find Your Legislator At:
http://argis.ualr.edu/website/districtfinder/viewer.htm

Census Data Released for Arkansas
http://www.talkbusiness.net/article/CENSUS-DATA-SHOWS-BIG-GROWTH-IN-NW-ARKANSAS-DRAMATIC-LOSSES-IN-DELTA/1482/
- Make sure you take a look at your area as this will change everything from legislative districting to CDBG eligibility in some places, etc.
- More infor here: http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn22.html

Applications for 100 Best Communities Now Available
America’s Promise Alliance: 2011 100 Best Communities for Young People
Is your community one of the nation’s best places for young people? If so, America’s Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation want to know about it! The 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING celebrates communities of all sizes – including cities, towns, counties and school districts – dedicated to improving life for young people and increasing graduation rates. The 100 Best Communities are intended to be representative of the nation as a whole. Each year, the winners vary dramatically in size, location, demographics, resources, and approaches to their unique challenges. Applications for the 2011 cycle are now available and are due by May 27. Please visit the America’s Promise Alliance website to learn more about the competition and to begin the application process.

Main Street Arkansas Update - February 7, 2011

Borum Building Downtown Osceola (before the fire)

Reminder – Quarterly Training February 21-23, Little Rock


Main Street Arkansas Calendar February 7 – 11, 2011
*********************************************************************************
MONDAY
TUESDAY Susan, Tom Marr – Blytheville (merchant property assistance)
WEDNESDAY Cary – Osceola (program assessment)
THURSDAY Cary – Osceola (program assessment)
FRIDAY
*********************************************************************************

IN THIS ISSUE:

Legislative Updates
Grant Opportunity
Smart Parking
Seminars on Rural Tourism
Listserv/Parking Calculation

Improvement District Legislation
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=125303

More Information on HB 1118
http://arkeco.blogspot.com/2011/01/sustainalaw-legislative-update-hb-1118.html
and
http://arkeco.blogspot.com/2011/01/arkansas-legislative-update-hb-1118-and.html

Downtown Arkansas Legislative Proposals
http://talkbusiness.net/article/A-LITTLE-LOVE-FOR-DOWNTOWN-ARKANSAS/1445/

SB 212
This bill would require re-voting every four years to re-approve Advertising & Promotions tax. Full bill text at: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB212.pdf (pdf file)


Grant Opportunity
The Arkansas Humanities Council, in cooperation with the Department of Arkansas Heritage, is accepting applications form Operating Grants for Small Museums through May 1. For more information, contact jamabest at sbcglobal.net

Smart Parking
http://www.urbandaddy.com/sfo/gear/12426/Park_Circa_Like_Zipcar_but_for_Parking_San_Francisco_SFO_Application

April Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center Workshop on Rural Tourism

In April, the ASBTDC Lead Center hosts speaker Joanne Steele for her seminar "Promoting Rural Tourism: Making the Internet Work for You, Your Business, and Your Town." Steele's 6 hour workshop will show participants how regular small town business practices such as knowing your customer, and serving his or her needs are exactly the principles that are used to create an effective internet marketing strategy. Register early to guarantee your seat for these innovative seminars!

From the mainstreet listserve last week:
what you can measure, you can manage
We figure $1250-$1500 per parking space (parallel).

It is an easy calculation. Take the annual gross sales of all of the business on one side of the street and divide that by 306 +/- (open 6 days a week less holidays). Divide that by the total number of parking spaces in front of those businesses.

Gross sales figures can be obtained from your cities taxing authority or business license office. In some places the business license tax figure is published on the business license hanging in the store. If you know the tax paid and the tax rate you can figure out a business gross sales.

I tell merchants that if their employees are parking in on street parking spaces, they can afford to pay their employees to stay home.