Main Street Arkansas Update - October 29

October 29 – November 2

Monday - STAFF PLANNING RETREAT
Tuesday - STAFF PLANNING RETREAT
Wednesday - Susan, Batesville – window display
Thursday - Susan, Batesville – window display
Friday –


From Parks & Tourism
Arkansas Festivals Grant
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism is now accepting applications for the Arkansas Festivals Grant. Applications for the grant must be the fiscal agent of the festival applicant and must be incorporated in the State of Arkansas. Festivals in existence for one year or more may make application for and qualify for funds under this program. Only capital improvement projects for a festival can be funded through this program. Applicants may apply for a minimum of $5,000 up to a maximum of $35,000. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 p.m. on December 17, 2007.

If you have questions, please contact the Tourism Development Section at 501.682.5240 or email kristine.puckett@arkansas.gov

IN THIS ISSUE
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NLR Times Pro Main Street Editorial
Argenta Street Beat Photos
Ballparks & Neighborhoods Article
Grant Opportunities
America Unchained!
Fundraising Training
Arkansas Grants Training – CDBG & Other state provided/issued funds
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NLR Times Editorial: Breathing New Life Into Downtown
http://www.nlrtimes.com/articles/2007/10/12/opinion/eddy01.txt

Pictures from the Argenta Street Beat
http://tinyurl.com/3ylghn

Home-Plate Home: Ballparks Attract Condos
http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/071011ballparks.asp

- we certainly see this in NLR. It will be interesting to see if this occurs near the new ballpark in Springfield, AR.


GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:

National Endowment for the Humanities
America's Historical and Cultural Organizations Planning Grants Grant
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=15725
http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/AHCO_PlanningGuidelines.html

National Endowment for the Humanities
America's Historical and Cultural Organizations Implementation Grants Grant
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=15726

Institute of Museum and Library Services Museum Grants for African American History and Culture Grant
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=15727
http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/AfricanAmerican.shtm

America Unchained!
Shop independent businesses on Saturday November 17, 2007
The American Independent Business Alliance invites your organization to participate in this growing national campaign that urges communities to unchain themselves (to shop only at locally owned independent businesses) for just one day.
America Unchained! puts the focus on community economics by helping citizens recognize the economic benefit of local, independent businesses and think about the impact of where they choose to spend their dollars, not only for the upcoming holiday season, but every day.

Begun in 2003 by the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA), Austin Unchained was a huge success. AIBA calculated the amount of money the local economy would gain if every citizen shopped at only locally owned businesses for one day. The number was stunning and grabbed the attention of both Austinites and local government. AIBA generated substantial local media exposure to drum up community support and participation. Through their posters, flyers, and t-shirts, word spread and the community joined in to inject millions into Austin’s economy.

AMIBA conducted the campaign nationally for the first time in 2004 with great success. Unchained is a “media darling” for its edginess and proximity to the holiday shopping season.

AMIBA provides templates for posters, a logo, button designs, press releases, and more for your use. Participants register at www.amiba.net . Registration gains them access to a library of campaign support materials and places them on a list that is provided to the media. Visit www.amiba.net for more information.
FUNDRAISING TRAINING OPPORTUNITY:
Trends in Philanthropy: Key Factors for Success in the Next Decade

Have You Identified Your Million Dollar Donors? A panel presentation by experts in development sharing successful case studies

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 11:00 am-1:30 pm
The Little Rock Chamber of Commerce 200 East Markham
$15 for members of ACE and Little Rock Chamber of Commerce; $20 for Nonmembers
www.littlerockchamber.com/nonprofit to register
Lunch provided with registration fee

Arkansas Grants Workshops

This is an application workshop on the procedures for applying for grants from the Community Resource Group, the Arkansas Department of Rural Services, Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Community Facilities Program

Tuesday, October 30 10:00 am Darragh Center, Little Rock

Thursday, November 8 1:00 pm North Arkansas Telephone Company 301 East Main, Flippin

Tuesday, November 13 10:00 am, Board of Directors Room, El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, 111 West Main, El Dorado