Monday, November 28, 2011

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

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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

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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).