Main Street Arkansas Update - November 28, 2011

MSA Awards & Quarterly Training – January 11, 2012 – Little Rock (in conjunction with the Municipal League meeting)

Main Street Arkansas Calendar November 29 – December 2, 2011

********************************************************************************

MONDAY Susan – Rogers & Russellville (merchant visits)

TUESDAY Susan – Rogers & Russellville (merchant visits)

WEDNESDAY Cary, Greg, Sam – Russellville GAMSA semi- finalist meeting; Susan – Rogers & Russellville (merchant visits)

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

**********************************************************************************

IN THIS ISSUE:

Great Video on Downtown El Dorado

To Rethink Sprawl, Start with Offices

The Death of the Fringe Suburb

New Report on Economics of Outdoor Recreation, Conservation & Historic Preservation

2 Grant Opportunities

Great Video on Downtown El Dorado

http://www.ktbs.com/video/29850406/index.html

To Rethink Sprawl, Start With Offices

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/opinion/to-rethink-sprawl-start-with-offices.html?_r=1

The Death of the Fringe Suburb

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/opinion/the-death-of-the-fringe-suburb.html?src=tp

New Report on the Economics of Outdoor Recreation, Conservation and Historic Preservation

A new study on the economic impact of outdoor recreation, natural resources conservation and historic preservation was released in October. Among its findings, the combined value of these activities is 9.4 million jobs, $1.06 trillion in economic activity, and $107 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues. The study is online at http://www.preservationaction.org/Reports/TheEconomicValueofOutdoorRecreation.pdf.

EPA Requests Proposals for Urban Waters Small Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects to award between $1.8 to $3.8 million in funding for projects across the country to help restore urban waters by improving water quality and supporting community revitalization. The funding is part of EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational and employment opportunities in nearby communities.

The goal of the Urban Waters Small Grants program is to fund research, studies, training, and demonstration projects that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities such as public health, social and economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for residents Information about Urban Waters Small Grants including the Request for Proposal (RFP) and registration links for the webinars is available at
http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding. EPA expects to award the grants in Summer 2012.

Rural Community Grant Applications Available

http://www.state.ar.us/drs/news.html

Rural Community Grant applications are now available from the

Department of Rural Services. You may download an application by clicking

on DRS Grants to the left of this page or request one by calling 1.888.787.2527.

The deadlines for Fiscal Year 2012 are December 9, 2011 (Cycle 2), and March 16, 2012 (Cycle 3).

Main Street Arkansas Update - November 21, 2011

MSA Awards & Quarterly Training – January 11, 2012 – Little Rock (in conjunction with the Municipal League meeting)

Main Street Arkansas Calendar November 21 – 25, 2011

*********************************************************************

MONDAY Cary, Greg, Nancy - Rogers

TUESDAY Susan – Russellville; Greg – off

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY Thanksgiving, office closed

FRIDAY office closed

*******************************************************************

Architectural Review Ordinance Passed for Downtown Paragould

Main Street El Dorado Sponsors Oak Ridge Boys

Google + for your Non Profit

4 Grant Opportunities

Architectural Review Ordinance Passed for Downtown Paragould

http://www.paragoulddailypress.com/articles/2011/11/16/top_story/doc4ec2c302a1209467001867.txt

Main Street El Dorado Sponsors the Oak Ridge Boys

http://www.eldoradonews.com/news/localnews/2011/11/09/main-street-el-dorado-focuses-on-oak-rid-66.php

hat tip to National Trust Main Street Center

How to Create a Google+ Account for your Non-Profit

http://nonprofitorgs.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/how-to-create-a-google-page-for-your-nonprofit/

Professional Expertise for Cities Worldwide
IBM Smarter Cities Challenge
The Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year IBM Corporate Citizenship initiative to enable up to 100 cities around the world to become smarter by enhancing their capacity to address some of the critical challenges facing urban areas today. Each city participating in the Challenge will receive the time and expertise of IBM top experts from different business units and geographies. For three weeks these experts will work closely with city leaders and deliver recommendations on how to make the city smarter and more effective. The application deadline is December 16, 2011. Visit the Smarter Cities Challenge to learn more about the initiative and submit an online application.

Grants Enhance Public Hiking Trails
American Hiking Society: National Trails Fund
The National Trails Fund, sponsored by American Hiking Society (AHS), provides funding to grassroots nonprofit organizations throughout the country working toward establishing, protecting, and maintaining foot trails in America. The Fund’s grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, help give local groups the resources they need to secure access, volunteers, tools, and materials to protect America's public trails. The following types of grants will be considered for the 2012 program: projects that have hikers as the primary constituency; projects that secure trail lands, including acquisition of trails and trail corridors and the costs associated with acquiring conservation easements; projects that will result in substantial ease of access, improved hiker safety, or avoidance of environmental damage; and projects that promote constituency building surrounding specific trail projects. Applying organizations must be AHS Alliance Members. The application deadline is December 15, 2011. Visit the American Hiking Society website for application guidelines as well as information on becoming an AHS Member.

Support for Revitalization Strategies to Transform Distressed Neighborhoods
Department of the Treasury
The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program provides the following types of support to promote economic revitalization in low-income communities: Financial assistance in the form of equity investments, loans, deposits, or grants is provided for financing capital, loan loss reserves, capital reserves, or operations. Technical assistance grants are awarded to build the capacity of certified CDFIs to provide affordable financial products and services to low-income communities and families. Technical assistance awards may be used for a wide range of purposes, including the purchase of equipment, materials, or supplies; consulting or contracting services; salaries and benefits of certain personnel; and/or training of staff or board members. The application deadline is January 11, 2012.

Grants Available for Arkansas Heritage Month Projects

Organizations across the state are invited to apply for grants for projects and events for May'sArkansas Heritage Month that support the theme Dreams & Determination: Arkansans at Work.

Arkansans are encouraged to plan activities that explore the jobs of the past, how particular crafts or trades left their mark on communities, and which jobs were necessary to settle towns and cities.

Applications for grants will be accepted at the Department of Arkansas Heritage through 4:30 p.m. Dec. 12.

The grants are designed to help foster awareness and enjoyment of Arkansas heritage and to assist non-profit and community groups in planning and implementing meaningful Arkansas Heritage Month projects.

An application packet is available by clicking here. Guidelines and application forms are also available from the Heritage Month Grant Coordinator, DAH, 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center St., Little Rock, 72201 or by e-mailing randy@arkansasheritage.org.

The Department of Arkansas Heritage sponsors Arkansas Heritage Month each year in May to celebrate a particular aspect of our state’s history and culture. Activities include art shows, poetry readings, nature walks, research projects and festivals that support each year’s theme.

Retrofitting Suburbia