Monday, July 2, 2012

Main Street Arkansas Update - July 2, 2012




Main Street Arkansas Calendar – July 2 – 6, 2012 
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MONDAY                            
TUESDAY                          
WEDNESDAY                   office closed in observance of Independence Day
THURSDAY                       Mark & Sam – out                                 
FRIDAY                                Mark & Sam – out
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IN THIS ISSUE:
AR Biz City of Distinction Awards Due August 6
SoMa Biz in Running for Prize
Main Street El Dorado Press
NPR Cities
How to Market Your Biz at Festivals
AR Community Foundation Giving Tree Grants
3 More Grant Opportunities
Software/Hardware Opportunity


Reminder – AR Biz City of Distinction Awards due August 6

SoMa Biz in Running for Prize
Chase Bank and Living Social are providing grants for up to $250,000.  In order to be eligible, we need to get at least 250 votes. 

Please vote for the Empress B&B at https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com.  

Main Street El Dorado Issues Mini-Grants

NPR Cities
NPR is asking the audience input for the NPR Cities Project, where Americans across the country share more about the heart of their city. Learn how to contribute pictures and sound at npr.org/nprcities. You can also follow the project on Twitter @nprcities.

How To Market Your Biz at Festivals

Arkansas Community Foundation Giving Tree Grants
Through ARCF signature Giving Tree Grant Program, ARCF supports a broad range of projects with the potential for statewide impact and programs serving immediate local needs. Each of their 27 local offices and our central office in Little Rock offers Giving Tree grants at least once a year. Typically, these grants are available for a wide variety of charitable causes;. Check with the local office to which you’re applying for information about the current grantmaking focus.
How to Apply: Download and complete the application form at www.arcf.org between July 10 and August 15, 2012. Applications must be submitted to arcfgrants@arcf.org by 11:59 p.m. on August 15. If you need assistance, contact Chris Love, Arkansas Community Foundation’s program director, at clove@arcf.org or 501-372-1116.

Playground Equipment Grant Opportunity
The Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! are offering grants to qualifying United States-based organizations for the purchase of playground equipment that will be built using the KaBOOM! community-build model.
The program will provide grantees with a $15,000 grant to be applied toward their equipment purchase from a KaBOOM! preferred vendor; access to planning tools on the Our Dream Playground Web site; the opportunity to receive one-on-one planning support from KaBOOM! alumni; and post-build access to the KaBOOM! alumni network. Grantees will plan their project and share best practices and challenges through the Our Dream Playground Web site.
The program is open to U.S.-based municipalities, neighborhood associations, schools, day care centers, and nonprofit organizations without a playground or with existing equipment that is unsafe for children to use.

Tourism Cares Grant Opportunity
Through its Worldwide Grant Program, Tourism Cares works to make a difference at tourism-related sites of cultural, historical, and natural significance.
Nonprofit, tax-exempt public charities are invited to submit letters of inquiry online for projects to conserve, preserve, or restore a site, and/or educate visitors. Funding requests may include brick-and-mortar capital improvement projects or educational programs that enhance interpretation of the site.

NEA Design Art Works Grant Program

Here's a quick rundown on what you should know if your organization plans to apply for the August 9, 2012 deadline. Grant guidelines, additional details, and application materials are all available on www.arts.gov.

         Grant guidelines: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP13/DesignAW.html

         Eligible applicants: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; or federally recognized tribal communities with 3 years of programming history. http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP13/Eligibility.html

         Eligible design project activities: It's a long list! Everything from competitions to design commissions; design research to community workshops; exhibitions to design festivals; education to technology products that advance the field of design; and much more. Review the guidelines for a more comprehensive list.  Note: Construction costs are NOT eligible. However, NEA can support earlier phases in the project, including predevelopment and design fees.

Get Donated Software and Refurbished Hardware
TechSoup
TechSoup helps nonprofits like yours get the technology products and resources you need to operate at your full potential. With the help of our more than 40 donor partners like Microsoft and Adobe, we offer over 400 products, plus free tech learning resources including articles, blogs, webinars, community discussions, and forums led by expert hosts. Check your nonprofit’s eligibility for our donation programs and get started.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Main Street Arkansas Update - June 25, 2012


THIS WEDNESDAY – AR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY’S “LET’S PAINT THE TOWN” TRAINING.  STUTTGART 12P. FOR MORE INFO VISIT ARCDS.ORG

The 26th annual Community Development Institute is August 6-10 in Conway, Arkansas. More information at www.uca.edu/cdi

Upcoming 5-Year Preservation Plan Listening Session:
June 26 Little Rock/NLR, Tower Building, 5pm
June 28, Russellville, City Hall, 5pm 

Save the Date: 2013 National Main Streets Conference April 14-16, New Orleans

Main Street Arkansas Calendar – June 25-29, 2012
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MONDAY                            
TUESDAY                           Mark & Sam – Blytheville (interviews)
WEDNESDAY                     Mark & Susan – Ozark (merchant visits); Cary – out  
THURSDAY                        Mark & Susan – Siloam Springs (merchant visits); Sam – Harrisburg                                  
FRIDAY                                Nancy – Searcy (design consultation)
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IN THIS ISSUE:
SoMa Revitalization
New Construction in Downtown Paragould
Grants for Trails
Mission Small Business
Making the Most of Google for Non-Profits
The Fall of the Creative Class
6 More Grant Opportunities
Highway Dept Seeks Input


SoMa Revitalization


New Construction in Downtown Paragould

Grant Opportunities for Trails

due October 26

due August 1

Mission Small Business
-          $250,000 grant opportunities

Making the Most of Google for Non-Profits

The Fall of the Creative Class

Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
http://www.nps.gov/rtca
Connect your community to America's Great Outdoors! Are you trying to protect your local rivers, save an unspoiled landscape, or build trails where everyone in your community can enjoy nature? The National Park Service can help.
Every year, the National Park Service helps hundreds of locally-driven projects that create opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation, connect youth with the outdoors, and connect communities to parks. Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance from the National Park Service provides no funding, but our experienced staff can help communities plan for success.
Applications for assistance will be accepted until August 1. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their project ideas with a staff member in your area before preparing an application.


Title: Academic-Community Partnership Conference Series (walkability issues?)
Description: The purpose of this grant opportunity is to bring together academic institutions/organizations and community organizations to identify opportunities for addressing health disparities through the use of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). The objectives of meetings conducted as part of this award will be to: (1) establish and/or enhance academic-community partnerships; (2) identify community-driven research priorities, and (3) develop long-term collaborative CBPR research agendas.
Eligibility: Non-profit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status are encouraged to apply. The opportunity is also available to various governmental entities, local organizations, for-profit groups and small businesses.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last Day to Apply: October 17, 2014
Grant is administered by the: National Institutes of Health
In partnership with Americans for the Arts and guidance from the National Endowment for the Arts, Ovation has developed the innOVATION Grant Program to fund and recognize the impact of artists and the arts in communities' revitalization efforts.

innOVATION Grant Opportunity
Three $25,000 and two $10,000 innOVATION grants will be awarded to Americans for the Arts organizational members through a panel review process which will be comprised of representatives from Ovation, Americans for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, communities can compete for a "Viewers' Choice Award" of $15,000 on Ovation's Facebook page once they have applied for the program.
Through the month of June, Americans for the Arts is holding a half-off sale on select organizational memberships, so if your organization is not currently a member, find out more about our various levels and this sale at AmericansForTheArts.org/Membership.
For more information about innOVATION grants, please visit AmericansForTheArts.org/go/innOVATIONgrants.
Applications will be accepted through July 31!

Grants Improve the Quality of Life in Company Locations
Plum Creek Foundation
The Plum Creek Foundation provides support for community-based nonprofit organizations that work to improve the general welfare and quality of life in the communities that Plum Creek serves in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The Foundation’s areas of interest include community services, education, environment, and the arts. The remaining application deadlines for 2012 are July 30 and October 31. Visit the company’s website to review the grant guidelines and download the application form.

Grants Further Business Opportunities in Rural Communities
Department of Agriculture
The Rural Business Opportunity Grants Program provides support for projects designed to promote sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs. Examples of activities eligible for support include the following: community economic development, technology-based economic development, feasibility studies and business plans, leadership and entrepreneur training, rural business incubators, and long-term business strategic planning. The application deadline is August 6, 2012.

Support for Art Projects in Local Communities
National Endowment for the Arts
The Local Arts Agencies: Art Works Program provides support for projects that address one of the following outcomes: creation, including artist commissions, artist residencies, and innovative projects in the creation of new work; engagement, including performing arts events, readings, screenings, broadcasts, visual arts exhibitions, innovative projects to increase access to the arts, and collaborations that strengthen community arts journalism and arts criticism; learning, including artist residencies and education and related activities for children, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools; and livability, including enhancement of public spaces through commissioning or installation of art works. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff if they are considering livability as a primary outcome. The application deadline is August 9, 2012



ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT


June 18, 2012

NOTICE


            The Arkansas State Highway Commission announces the release of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016.  This document is prepared in response to Title 23 United States Code, Section 135 - Statewide Planning Requirements, as amended by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act:  A Legacy for Users.

            The projects listed are the State's overall highway and transit programs and encompass all areas of the State.  This program is consistent with the State's long range plan and includes roadway, bridge, traffic signal, intersection improvement, and transit projects.

            The public is invited to review and comment on the contents of this document by July 18, 2012. The STIP may be reviewed at the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department’s (AHTD) Central Office, the AHTD’s District Offices, the State Clearinghouse, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Offices, or the local Planning/Economic Development District Offices.  Copies are also available by mail by contacting AHTD's Program Administration Section at (501) 569-2483.  The STIP may be downloaded from the AHTD Internet web site at:

            With respect to urban areas greater than 50,000 in population, MPOs have included individual projects in the Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs).  For additional information on projects located within a TIP area, the MPO can be consulted.

            All comments regarding the STIP should be submitted in writing to:

                                    Ms. Lorie H. Tudor
                                    Assistant Chief Engineer - Planning
                                    Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
                                    P.O. Box 2261
                                    Little Rock, Arkansas 72203

Monday, June 18, 2012

Main Street Arkansas Update - June 18, 2012



The 26th annual Community Development Institute is August 6-10 in Conway, Arkansas. More information at www.uca.edu/cdi

Upcoming 5-Year Preservation Plan Listening Session:
June 19, Texarkana, 5pm, City Board Room

New Director Orientation June 19 – all are welcome to attend for a refresher.  Please RSVP to me.

Save the Date: 2013 National Main Streets Conference April 14-16, New Orleans

Main Street Arkansas Calendar – June 18 - 22, 2012
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MONDAY                             Nancy & Susan – out
TUESDAY                           new ED orientation – LR (all welcome, please RSVP, 10a)
WEDNESDAY                     
THURSDAY                        Susan, Greg – Eureka Springs         
FRIDAY                                Susan, Greg – Eureka Springs
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IN THIS ISSUE:
OA in SoMa Receives ArtPrize
Main Street Helena Farmers’ Market Press
June 25 Arkansas Urban Forestry Conference, Russellville
Cities with More Walkers, Bikers, Less Obese
Call for Proposals – 2013 Main Street Conference ,New Orleans
2 Grant Opportunities
Submit Your Film Locales


Oxford American in SoMa District Receives ArtPrize for Creative Placemaking

Main Street Helena Farmers’ Market Press

June 25 Arkansas Urban Forestry Conference, Russellville

Cities with More Walkers, Bikers, Less Obese

Call for Proposals – 2013 National Main Streets Conference

Funds for Healthcare Initiatives in Arkansas
Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas  
The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas is dedicated to creating a state where citizens have access to useful information and needed healthcare services that enable them to lead healthier lives. The Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations and government agencies that positively affect the health of Arkansans. Particular emphasis is given to projects affecting healthcare delivery, policy, and economics. Funded projects must demonstrate strong community, regional, or statewide support, such as co-funding by other organizations or groups. Grants generally range from $5,000 to $150,000. The deadline for submitting online applications is July 16, 2012. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the grant guidelines.
-          New Mini-Grant Program:
In addition to its regular grants program outlined on this site, the Blue & You Foundation offers a new, simpler application for $1,000 mini-grants to support health improvement projects in Arkansas. (See "Grants Eligibility Criteria" below.) Applications for mini-grants will be accepted in the months of February, April and June, with 25 mini-grants allotted for each of the three months. You may receive only one mini-grant in a 12-month period, and any organization that has received a mini-grant or regular grant from the Blue & You Foundation in the last three years is not eligible to apply for a mini-grant. You will be notified of mini-grant awards within approximately 30 days of your application. Your application will remain eligible for all three of the grant selection months (February, April and June), so there is no need to re-submit your application. If you receive a $1,000 mini-grant, you will be asked to submit a one-page report of your program results within six months.
Go to online mini-grant application.

Community Transformation Grants - CDC Small Communities Programs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is awarding approximately $70 million in grants to improve the health of small communities. Grants are awarded across a variety of sectors, including transportation, housing, education, and public health. Previous awards have been given to develop small neighborhood grocery stores in residential areas to increase access to healthier foods. CDC expects to make 25 to 50 competitive grant awards. Successful applicants will be announced in September 2012. The letter of intent is due on June 18, and the closing date for the full application is July 31, 2012. For the full announcement:
http://tinyurl.com/7e4kd8c.

The Arkansas Production Alliance (arfilm), the new, statewide film and digital content initiative of the Arkansas Film Commission, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Arkansas Council, has empowered every property owner, community, chamber, visitors bureau, county and region in Arkansas to submit and market locations to the global production industry.

Submitted Arkansas locations are now also part of a global database powered by Reel-Scout™ (
Reel-Scout.com), the industry’s leading content management system. Click here to submit a location(s).

Also, for the first time in Arkansas history, qualified resident crew and expatriates have the opportunity submit and update their contact information, credits and resumes for consideration by productions shooting in Arkansas. Click 
here to register as crew.

While the arfilm Locations Directory is immediately searchable, qualified crew have until June 30, 2012 to submit before the Crew Directory goes live. “We want our growing talent pool to have the opportunity to fully populate our Crew Directory before sharing it with the world,” said Arkansas Film Commissioner Christopher Crane. “Ultimately, our Alliance will provide producers with seamless, single contact access to everything and everyone our state has to offer.”

Monday, June 4, 2012

Main Street Arkansas Update - June 4, 2012


Upcoming 5-Year Preservation Plan Listening Session:
Tuesday, June 5, El Dorado, City Hall, 5pm 
Thursday, June 7, Rogers, City Council Chambers, 5pm

New Director Orientation June 19 – all are welcome to attend for a refresher.  Please RSVP to me.

Save the Date: 2013 National Main Streets Conference April 14-16, New Orleans

Main Street Arkansas Calendar – June 4 - 8, 2012
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MONDAY                             Sam, Mark – Batesville (program assessment)
TUESDAY                           Sam, Mark – Batesville (program assessment)
WEDNESDAY                     Mark, Susan – West Memphis (property owner visits)
THURSDAY                         Susan, Greg – Rogers (merchant visits & conference prep)  
FRIDAY                                Susan, Greg – Rogers (merchant visits & conference prep) 
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Plaques Highlight Downtown Ft Smith History
New AR Film Production Website
Coveted: Walkable, Convenient Places
Grant Opportunity
Google Local
Schedule Your Facebook Posts
Grant Opportunity


Plaques Highlight Downtown Ft Smith History

New Arkansas Film Production Website
-          here’s where you can submit location(s) from your community

Coveted: Walkable, Convenient Places

Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant

New - Google Local
It’s worth your time to see how your downtown retailers are listed. 

You Can Now Schedule Facebook Posts.  Here’s how:

Community Transformation Grant – (Farmers’ Markets other opportunities)


Monday, May 14, 2012

Main Street Arkansas Update - May 14, 2012


Main Street Arkansas Calendar – May 14 - 18, 2012
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MONDAY                             Greg, Sam, Nancy, Susan – Walnut Ridge (various site visits)
TUESDAY                           Cary – Texarkana (board meeting); Greg, Mark, Susan, Sam – Jonesboro (board training)   
WEDNESDAY                    All Staff - AR Preservation Conference – Ft Smith  
THURSDAY                        All Staff - AR Preservation Conference – Ft Smith    
FRIDAY                                All Staff - AR Preservation Conference – Ft Smith    
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IN THIS ISSUE:
MSP Builds Up Loose Caboose Fest
Downtown Monticello Cash Giveaway
MSR’s Taste of the Valley a Success
Perkins Departs MSB
Eureka Joins MSA
Grant Opportunity


Main Street Paragould Builds Up to Loose Caboose

Downtown Monticello Gives Away Cash


Main Street Russellville’s Taste of the Valley a Success

Perkins Leaving Blytheville

Eureka Springs Joins MSA

Support for Tourism Sites Throughout the World
Tourism Cares Worldwide Grant Program
Tourism Cares is a U.S.-based nonprofit IRS 501 (c)(3) public charity, supported primarily by the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry, which is dedicated to preserving the travel experience for future generations. The Tourism Cares Worldwide Grant Program provides grants to nonprofit tax-exempt, public charities throughout the world that conserve, preserve, or restore tourism-related sites of exceptional cultural, historic, or natural significance. In 2012 the program will provide twelve grants of $10,000 each for brick-and-mortar capital improvement projects or educational programs that will enhance interpretation of the site. The upcoming deadline for the letter of inquiry online application process is July 2, 2012 at 5 pm Eastern Time. Visit the Tourism Cares website for Eligibility Criteria, Grant Application Process, Frequently Asked Questions, and a link to access the online Worldwide Grant Application.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Main Street Arkansas Update - May 7, 2012





Our thoughts are with the family of Brett Blakney, the one-time Main Street Clinton executive director, who passed away this weekend.  http://arkansasmatters.com/fulltext?nxd_id=537362

Main Street Arkansas Calendar – May 7 - 11, 2012
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MONDAY                             Cary & Sam – El Dorado (program assessment); Susan – Helena (merchant visits)  
TUESDAY                           Cary & Sam – El Dorado (program assessment); Greg & Susan – Arkadelphia; (meeting with new stakeholders) Mark & Nancy – Dumas (property & biz assistance)    
WEDNESDAY                    Cary – Texarkana (succession planning); Susan – annual leave   
THURSDAY                        Cary – Blytheville (succession planning);; Susan – annual leave     
FRIDAY                                Cary – Fayetteville & Siloam Springs(speeches); Susan – annual leave     
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Hutchison Retiring from MST
Last MSP Art & Stroll ‘Best Ever’
AR Biz City of Distinction Applications
Grant Opportunity
3 Stats Every Downtown Should Live By

Hutchison Retiring from Main Street Texarkana

Latest Main Street Paragould Art & Stroll called “best ever”

Arkansas Business City of Distinction Applications

Urban Forestry Grant Opportunity

Three Statistics Every Downtown Should Live By