Main Street Arkanasas Update - October 15, 2007

Congratulations to Missy McSwain, longtime AHPP Federal Programs Manger on becoming the new Director of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. She’ll take over upon Ken Grunewald’s retirement, November 1.

October 15-19

Susan: Tuesday – Friday, Traditional Buildings Conference, New Orleans

Monday - Cary, public hearing for Confinement Camps congressional grants program, UALR
Tuesday - Greg – Batesville
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday –

Sunday – Cary, Caroline & Susan – ArtLinks in Rogers.

IN THIS ISSUE:
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YouTube Launches Nonprofit Program
Main Street in the Media
Milken Institute 2007 Best Performing Cities Index
Various Articles related to our work – couple of real good ones, please take a look
Grant Opportunities
America's Promise Alliance Launches 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People Competition
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YouTube Launches Nonprofit Program

Check out the press release announcing the launch of the YouTube Nonprofit Program!
YouTube’s 2007/2008 Clinton Global Initiative commitment enables nonprofit organizations (in the U.S. those with 501c3 tax filing status) that register for the YouTube Nonprofit Program to receive a free nonprofit specific YouTube channel where they can upload footage of their work, public service announcements, calls to action and more.
YouTube Nonprofit Program participants will receive:
• A premium channel on YouTube that serves as a nonprofit’s hub for their uploaded videos. Through the channel, people can connect with a nonprofit via messages, subscriptions, comments and more. Nonprofits will also receive enhanced channel branding features and increased upload capacity.
• Designation as a "Nonprofit" on YouTube that clearly identifies organizations as a nonprofit for YouTube community.
• The ability to embed a Google Checkout donation button on their channel and video watch pages, allowing people to quickly and securely make a contribution directly from YouTube. Starting today, nonprofits who offer Google Checkout for Non-Profits as a donation option -- whether through YouTube or on their own sites -- will receive 100 percent of donated funds, as Google has committed to processing all donations for free through at least the end of 2008.
• In the coming months, nonprofit channels will have a centralized area on YouTube, making them and their videos more easily discoverable.
HOW TO APPLY

Nonprofits can apply for a nonprofit channel type by going to youtube.com/nonprofits and filling out a short application which will be processed by their grants team.
Texarkana Press
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2007/09/28/main-street-to-bring-in-experts-to-discu-56.php

also, you can see some photos from this weekend’s Blue & BBQ at http://www.steveharrelson.com/blog/

Pro Main Street Harrison Editorial:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1815&dept_id=516931&newsid=18884838&PAG=461&rfi=9

Argenta Street Beat Press:
http://www.katv.com/news/stories/1007/461481.html
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=54135

MSA & RHDI Press:
http://www.thnews.com/article.php?id=3594

Forrest City & Main Street:
http://www.thnews.com/article.php?id=3604

Milken Institute 2007 Best Performing Cities Index
http://www.milkeninstitute.org/research/research.taf?cat=indexes&function=detail&ID=30&type=BPC

#21 Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers (down from #8 last year)
#72 Little Rock-NLR- Conway (up from #94 last year)
#103 Fort Smith (up from #154 last year)
#141 Memphis (includes the West Memphis area, up from #159 last year)

The Best Performing Cities Index is outcomes-based. Its components measure job, wage and salary, and technology growth. The Index ranks U.S. metros based on their ability to create and sustain jobs. It includes both long-term (five years) and short-term (one year) measurements of employment and salary growth. There are also four measurements of technology output growth, which are included because of technology’s crucial role in regional economic growth.

Some would note this index is based upon “trailing” indicators, as opposed to market “leading” indicators. Important differences.

$5.4 million to be spent on marketing Arkansas in Spring & Summer 2008
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/09/28/News/343476.html

Wal-Mart Era Wanes Amid Big Shifts in Retail
Rivals Find Strategies To Defeat Low Prices; World Has Changed

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB119135657404946747-lMyQjAxMDE3OTAxMzMwNTM2Wj.html

Sky's the new limit for urban living in Texas, and beyond
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-03-verticaltexas_N.htm

Small Farmers in AR Cultivating the Tourist Trade – AgriTourism in Arkansas
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Business/203730/print/

Looking for evidence that what we do is taking hold? Developers are about to tear down University Mall in LR & develop a shopping area with “a Main Street feel” “It’ll be a Main Street-type look, said Jim Strode, the center’s developer.
Let me emphasize that again – THEY’RE TEARING DOWN THE MALL TO BUILD A “MAIN STREET”
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Business/204087/print/

Remembering the Plantation Inn in West Memphis
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2007/oct/09/w-memphis-remembering-the-plantation-inn/


Grant Opportunity:
250-500 word pre-proposal for the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training’s 2008 call for proposals can be submitted here:
http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/Grants/Submit-Your-Pre-Proposal.aspx
NCPTT’s grants program supports innovative projects in architecture, historic landscapes, archeology and materials conservation. Projects are funded up to $50,000.


AT&T Foundation Announces Wireless Technology Grant Program

Deadline: October 19, 2007

The AT&T Foundation ( http://www.att.com/foundation/ ), the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. ( http://www.att.com/ ), has announced a $1.5 million competitive grant program to help nonprofits integrate wireless communications technology into educational outreach projects. Open to 501(c)(3) public charities and government instrumentalities across the United States, the program will help nonprofits deliver educational content and enhance learning opportunities in the communities they serve.

The AT&T Foundation will award one-time, education-focused, wireless technology grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 each for wireless applications and hardware. Examples of eligible projects include the enrichment of museum visits through the development of audio and video content accessible from visitors' mobile phones; the creation of AT&T Wi-FiSM hot spots for students and community members; the development of educational curriculum designed to be accessed from wireless devices; delivering supple- mental educational content via mobile phone calls, text messages, and/or Multimedia Messaging Service; and the development of community education podcasts.

To qualify for a grant, organizations must utilize the funds for projects that enhance the delivery of education through wireless technology in settings that engage youth and adults in life-long learning. Additionally, 51 percent or more of the project must target underserved populations, including racial and ethnic groups, low-income populations, seniors, youth, and/or people with disabilities.

Interested organizations can apply by downloading a copy of the Request for Proposals at the AT&T Foundation Web site.


America's Promise Alliance Launches 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People Competition
Deadline: November 2, 2007

The America's Promise Alliance ( http://www.americaspromise.org/ ) and Capital One ( http://www.capitalone.com/ ) have announced the launch of the 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People Competition with an official call for entries from communities across the United States that are the best places for young people to live and grow up. Winners will range from large urban cities to small rural towns.
The winning communities will be announced in late January 2008.

In addition to the possibility of becoming a 100 Best Community, all applicants will be eligible to apply for a total of $300,000 in grants from the alliance. (Applications for the 2008 grant program will be accepted in early February 2008.)

Winning communities will be featured prominently on the alliance’s website, in the alliance's weekly newsletter, and as part of national and local media materials. They will also be given the opportunity to participate in the Alliance's Regional Best Practice Forums, where their programs and policies will serve as a model for other cities and towns across the country. Furthermore, all winning communities are invited and provided a partial stipend to attend the Alliance's National Forum and Celebration held every fall in Washington, D.C.

DO YOU HAVE A RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN?
From the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence:
The deadline for applications for the My Risk Management Plan online tool is Wednesday, Oct. 17. This program allows your organization to create a customized risk management plan according to your needs, priorities and culture. It takes you step-by-step thought the process of creating your plan, allowing the opportunity to either select from template language or insert your own language.
If your organization is interested, please complete the attached application by Oct. 17th and fax or mail back to us.
ACE Fax: (501) 324-2236
ACE Mailing Address: 200 South Commerce St., Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72201