Designing Alabama's Future

Report Highlights 10 Years of Progress for NSBP and America's Byways Resource Center

2010-03-17T16:32:16Z

Report Highlights 10 Years of Progress for NSBP and America's Byways Resource Center

National Scenic Byways Program and America's Byways Resource Center: 10-Year Report, is now available for viewing on www.bywaysresourcecenter.org.

This December 2009 report represents the byway-specific knowledge base and resources created over the previous decade to fortify the success and sustainability of designated byways. It covers work implemented by the FHWA-National Scenic Byways Program and America's Byways Resource Center as these two complimentary organizations have progressed toward fulfilling their respective visions.

For ease of viewing this 10-year compilation, descriptions of the work follow the Introduction in four categories: Research, Training, Tools and Evaluation. Links to digital resources are provided when available.

To view the full report in HTML format, click here. For printable PDF and .txt versions of this report, click here.

Sentell: Now is the time for new photos

2010-03-17T12:54:11Z

State tourism director Lee Sentell encourages tourism representatives to photograph landmarks and other destinations THIS MONTH for future publicity needs. "The spring is the ideal time to take photos of your area's most popular attractions. Having pictures with flowers and budding trees will add a lot to your next brochure or website. Do it while the spring is at its peak," he says. He hints that a new photo contest will be announced next week.

CNN profiles Montgomery's efforts in providing opportunities for young professionals

2010-03-17T12:49:38Z

Montgomery was profiled on the CNN program "American Morning" Tuesday for the city's successful efforts in keeping its workforce of young professionals from leaving the area. Among those interviewed for the report were business owner Gerry Monroe, representatives from the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce group EMERGE Montgomery, and Mayor Todd Strange. The report featured the effect Montgomery's expanding downtown entertainment venues are having in keeping young professionals interested in staying in the area. Reporter Tom Foreman followed up the report with a live broadcast from downtown Montgomery.

To view the CNN report please see http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/16/building-up-america-keeping-young-workers-at-home/

Travel South USA gives back to Birmingham

2010-03-17T12:45:58Z

Tourism Cares, the premier charity in the travel industry dedicated to preserving the travel experience for future generations, is partnering with Travel South USA to raise funds for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail, opening this spring. Travel South USA is the marketing alliance and the Official Regional Destination Marketing Organization for the southern United States. "We are thrilled to once again partner with Tourism Cares," remarked Lee Sentell, Alabama Tourism Director and Chairman, Travel South USA. "Our two organizations have worked together on three previous projects in New Orleans, LA., (twice) and Biloxi, MS to provide funding and manpower to restore and preserve important tourism areas. This year we are combining our efforts during the 27th Annual Travel South Showcase in Birmingham to raise awareness and money that will enhance the Birmingham Civil Rights Trail and preserve stories from of an important time in our region's history."

The Birmingham Civil Rights Trail documents the events of the Civil Rights movement in Alabama in the 1960's. Signs and displays at various sites of historic significance around the city, share the story of how Birmingham helped change a segregated nation. The trail tells the stories of the past, but has a focus on showing how Americans came together around an idea that completely changed American history. The $1 million project is still in the building stages, with a few of the routes opening in the spring. Travel South USA and Tourism Cares will raise funds as part of the Travel South Gives Back campaign by selling "Tourism Cares" wristbands on site at the 2010 Travel South Showcase in Birmingham or at www.tourismcares.org. Both Travel South USA and Tourism Cares will each match all donations up to $5,000. Other companies are invited to do the same. For more information, visit the Tourism Cares website.
Travel South USA is America's oldest and largest regional travel promotion organization, formed in 1965 by resolution presented at the Southern Governor's Conference. As the Official Destination Regional Marketing Organization for the South, its mission is to promote, foster and encourage travel to and within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information please see www.tourismcares.org.

2010 Census

2010-03-05T16:27:03Z

The 2010 Decennial Census is a mere eight weeks away and the stakes couldn't be higher for local municipalities. The results of the census will determine the amount of federal funding available to local governments for the following decade. Each year the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments based on census data. These funds support tangible benefits in every community by determining funding allocations for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and other planning projects. It determines Congressional reapportionment and is used to define legislative districts, city council districts, and school districts. It is often a requirement for grant projects and even economic development projects, site analysis, and business recruitment and retention efforts.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recently reported that each of the 10 largest federal assistance programs (many of them benefiting the low income, the disabled, and minority populations which are also the segments of the population most likely to be under-counted) in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 relied at least in part on the decennial census and related data - that is data that depends on the decennial census, or statistics derived from the data such as per capita income. For fiscal year 2008, this totaled about $335 billion, representing 73 percent of total federal assistance. In fiscal year 2009, that amount increased to $478 billion, representing about 84 percent of total federal assistance. This amount included nearly $123 billion funded by the Recovery Act and about $356 billion funded by other means.

It has been estimated that for each citizen not counted in the census, a community will lose out on an average of $1,269.33 per person per year, or approximately $10,000 per person for a decade. The 2010 Census begins on April 1st. Get the word out to your fellow neighbors and BE COUNTED!

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

2010-03-05T13:11:46Z

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Improving Literacy through School Libraries program is to improve student reading skills and academic achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; and well-trained, professionally certified school library media specialists.

Application Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 20, 2010. Eligible Applicants: LEAs, including charter schools and State-administered schools that are considered LEAs under State law, in which at least 20 percent of the students served by the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty line based on the most recent satisfactory data available from the U.S. Census Bureau at the time this notice is published. These data are Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates for school districts for income year 2008. A list of LEAs with their family poverty rates (based on these Census Bureau data) is posted on our Web site at http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/eligibility.html.

Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000-$600,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $350,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 53.

Additional information is available online at: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2010-1/021910c.html

EQIP FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR ORGANIC PRODUCERS

2010-03-05T13:05:49Z

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama farmers transitioning to organic agriculture -- or those already certified organic -- may apply for assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative through March 12, according to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

While the program offers continuous sign-up, applications for 2010 funding must be received by the cut-off date.

To be eligible, producers are required to develop and carry out an Organic System Plan of conservation practices. Approved applicants may receive up to $20,000 per year, not to exceed $80,000 in a six-year period.

The NRCS offers conservation practices to assist organic producers address resource concerns related to soil condition, soil erosion, domestic animals, plant conditions, water quality and fish and wildlife.

This year the program includes funds for seasonal high tunnels, also known as ―hoop houses.

High tunnels provide significant advantages to owners of small farms, limited resource farmers and organic producers,‖ says Dr. William Puckett, Alabama State Conservationist.
Growers are given the opportunity to address existing resource concerns, such as soil and plant conditions, while providing the added benefit of expanding the growing season for locally grown crops.

Interested producers should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to determine eligibility.
Individuals are not eligible for EQIP until they have completed the Farm Bill eligibility requirements, and are urged to contact their local NRCS or Farm Service Agency Office to begin this process.

NRCS field offices are listed in the telephone directory under U.S. Department of Agriculture or on-line at offices.sc.egov.usda.gov.

Appliance Rebate Program begins in April

2010-03-05T12:59:47Z

The Appliance Rebate program received $4.473 million last week which the state plans to make available to consumers in April. For details on the state's plan, applicants should contact Karen Clifton at ADECA (334 242-5321 or karen.clifton@adeca.alabama.gov). The ADECA's website for the program is www.adeca.alabama.gov/C19/EEARP/default.aspx.

With the EECBG program, there is $454 million available on a competitive basis for the Retrofit Ramp-up program. The second deadline for the Retrofit Ramp-Up is 12/14, and that solicitation can be found here: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA- 0000148&agency=DOE and applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR LONGLEAF PINE RESTORATION

2010-03-05T12:56:55Z

The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) is currently accepting Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) applications from landowners interested in longleaf pine restoration and/or enhancement. The LIP cost-share grants are being made available to Alabama landowners thanks to a $300,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant awarded to WFF through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Through the cost-share grants, landowners can receive assistance with site preparation, seedlings, planting, native grass restoration and/or exotic control costs. For landowners to be considered eligible to receive funding, the property must be within the historic range of longleaf pine in Alabama or contain suitable soils to support longleaf pine.

Program details include: cost share at 50 percent, no minimum acreage is required, cutover sites and agricultural sites are eligible and 435 trees per acre is the maximum amount that can be planted under the program.

For application information, contact Traci George at (334) 353-0503, or
Traci.George@dcnr.alabama.gov

Top 10 Events of Alabama for March 2010 from the Alabama Tourism Department

2010-03-02T21:33:41Z

Bridge Crossing Jubilee - Mar 4-8
Commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. Highlights include a parade, pageant, symposiums, music, Voting Rights Hall of Fame induction and much more.

George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival - Mar 4-7
Nominated by Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast for the month of March, the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival is an exciting event consisting of film screenings, panels, discussions and celebrations throughout the Shoals area.

Cottontail's Village Arts, Crafts, & Gifts Festival - Mar 5-7
Mar 5-7, Birmingham Cottontail's Village Arts, Crafts, & Gifts Festival 205-836-7178. www.christmasvillagefestival.com. Admission charged. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex--With more than 450 booths of arts, crafts, gifts and food items, this is a great place and time to purchase Mother's Day gifts, graduation gifts, and spring decorations. Fri., 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Sun. noon- 5 p.m.

Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo, 53rd Anniversary - Mar 11-13
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of "The Greatest Show on Dirt." Competitions include bull riding and calf roping. Thurs. is Military Night and Fri. is "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night.

9th Annual BBQ Championship Hog Wild Festival - Mar 12-13
Each year, thousands of residents and visitors flock to the Fairgrounds for this "hog wild" benefit for the United Cerebral Palsy. Live music, children's activities, barrel racing, cooking demonstrations and barbecue.

58th Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival - Mar 19-21
More than 200 exhibitors from throughout the nation will bring their best works to show and sell at this prestigious juried show. Live entertainment is set throughout the three-day event and unique cuisine will be served in the food court. Voted as one of the 100 Best Predominantly Classic & Contemporary Craft Shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine in 2008.

Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo, 50th Annual - Mar 26-27
Weekend filled with food, children's activities, musical entertainment, snake races, buck dancing, karaoke contests, beauty queens, arts, crafts, and a headliner concert.

196th Anniversary of Battle of Horseshoe Bend - Mar 27-28
Celebrate the park's 51st anniversary and enjoy this festival of culture and history on the grounds of Alabama's first national park. Enjoy Creek hunting camps, military camps, dance, cannon fire demonstrations, exhibits, and more.

City of Talladega's 175th Anniversary Celebration - Mar 27
Celebrating its incorporation 175 years ago with a grand parade, historical play, a DVD of Talladega's history shown at our historical Ritz Theatre, bands, karaoke, and fireworks!

Siege of Bridgeport Re-enactment - Mar 27-28
Bridgeport brings history alive when almost 1,800 re-enactors thrill thousands of curious visitors and history buffs with their authentic re-creation of this fateful battle of the Civil War. Also included are period music, authentic encampment and vendors of historical objects and clothing.

Your Town AL Registration Now Open: Wednesday-Friday June 2 - 4

2010-03-01T13:52:44Z

Your Town 2010: Wednesday, June 2-Friday June 4, 2010. Camp McDowell.

Linked below is an application and general information for the annual 2010 Your Town Alabama workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, June 2 - Friday, June 4, 2010 at Camp McDowell.

This is our 12th year anniversary! Participants may only attend the workshop ONCE. Camp McDowell is located near Nauvoo, Alabama, (close to Jasper, AL) and is a delightful retreat location. The workshop consists of highly informative presentations and problem-solving activities for participants. It is also a wonderful opportunity to network with other community leaders and make contacts with presenters who work throughout Alabama in the planning, design, economic development, and resource preservation fields. The focus of the workshop aims specifically to introduce small town and rural technical assistance providers and decision makers to the role of design in community planning.

Former participants remark that the workshop is FUN and invigorating and opened their minds to many possibilities. If you or other community leaders are interested in attending this workshop, please complete the application and return by May 3, 2010.

The number of participants is limited so you are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. You can now register and securely pay online using a credit card through RegOnline.com. Visit https://www.regonline.com/2010yourtown and simply follow the instructions. If you wish to register via mail, you can download the application in Microsoft Word format here. Please print or type the application and mail it with your check payable to "Your Town Alabama" to the address on the application in the yellow highlighted box.

Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Camp McDowell. The workshop begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2 and ends at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 4. All participants are expected to stay for the entire workshop; if you can not attend the full 2 ½ days, you will need to register for the next annual workshop. Feel free to visit the Camp McDowell website at: www.campmcdowell.com for directions and to learn more about the facilities. Lodging for Wednesday and Thursday are required at Camp McDowell, however if you need overnight lodging for Tuesday, June 1, due to your travel distance, a list of local hotels in Jasper, AL is provided. Your Town Alabama participants will be housed in Miller Commons, which includes 5 cabins - each cabin includes 11 bedrooms (6 upstairs and 5 downstairs - all rooms have two queen beds/one bath).

There are no TV's, radios, alarm clocks or telephones in the cabins; but you will be surrounded by a beautiful natural environment. Feel free to bring your bicycle as we will be walking, cycling or driving to the eating facilities. Dress for the workshop is very casual (shorts/jeans/T-shirts/tennis shoes, etc.).

The cost for the workshop is $195 per participant for double occupancy (roommates will be assigned) OR $230 per participant for single occupancy. There are a limited number of single rooms; if you prefer a single room, you are encouraged to apply EARLY as they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee includes all workshop materials, lodging and "healthy" meals (lunch and dinner on Wednesday; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday; and breakfast on Friday). If you do not register on-line, please make checks payable to: "Your Town Alabama" and submit with your application - no refunds will be given after May 3, 2010. If you need additional information, call (205) 323-3592 and ask for Kay Argo, or e-mail me at Martha@yourtownalabama.org and we for respond to you.

Please feel free to duplicate this information and distribute among citizens in your community that would benefit from the workshop. Participants must apply for and be accepted to attend the Your Town Alabama workshop prior to arrival. There will be no on-site registration since extensive preparation must be made well in advance for each participant.

The workshop is sponsored by a host of organizations including the Alabama Historical Commission, the Alabama Association of Regional Councils, Appalachian Regional Commission, The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, Auburn University Urban Studio, the Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and Alabama Power Company.
Please complete the application and return via US mail or fax to: 205-348-6974 by the May 3rd deadline. If selected, an information packet will be mailed to you with more specific information. Late applications will be considered for future classes.

We look forward to a fun, challenging and rewarding workshop.

Sincerely,

Martha W. Whitson
Your Town Alabama, Inc.

]]> Local Hotels in Jasper, AL

Budget Inn - 205-221-6430
Days Inn - 205-221-7800 or 205-221-0123 (www.daysinn.com)
Hampton Inn - 205- 221-3334
Holiday Inn Express - 205-302-6400 or 800-465-4329 (www.holidayexpress.com)
Jameson Inn - 205-387-7710 (www.jamesoninns.com)
Super 8 - 205-221-3050 (www.super8.com)
Travel Rite Inn - 205-221-1161

Suggested Items to Bring to Camp

Comfortable, casual clothes
Rain gear (poncho, jacket or umbrella)
Walking shoes
Seat chair cushion - (if desired) as you will be sitting for extended periods
Personal medications
Flashlight with spare batteries
Insect Repellent
Alarm clock
Individual snack items*
Individual drinks*
Bicycle, if you prefer to cycle rather than walk to camp facilities

* Light snacks will be provided, however if you have a special snack or drink you prefer, or want your team to have specific snacks, you may want to bring your own. Vending machines are also available - bring change as we will not be able to make change.

Yes Virginia, there is a golf trail

2010-02-26T15:49:19Z

From an article in Wednesday's Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, the state's chief job-creation officer, got a lunch pail full of ideas last night about how to create more jobs in Virginia....Decrying the lack of Virginia tourism promotion money, Bolling said: "If I hear about the Robert Trent Jones golf trail one more time, I'm going to barf." The state of Alabama has been advertising the golf trail on Virginia television stations. McDonnell has proposed increasing state funding for tourism promotion.

For the complete article see http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SQUA241_20100223-231802/326465/

UNA Film Festival celebrates 25th anniversary of "Back to the Future"

2010-02-26T15:24:26Z

The University of North Alabama's 2010 George Lindsey Film Festival being held March 4-7 in Florence will host a 25th anniversary "Back to the Future" reunion. Actors Lea Thompson, James Tolkan and Claudia Wells along with screenwriter Bob Gale will be participating in the reunion. The "Back to the Future" celebration will also include public appearances of an exact working replica of the famous DeLorean time machine car, complete with flux capacitor and functional circuit displays. This year the UNA George Lindsey Film Festival is working with several partners to raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival is one of the few film festivals hosted by a university. The event was founded in 1998 in part by UNA alumnus and celebrated actor and entertainer George Lindsey. Lindsey is known internationally for his role as the character Goober Pyle on "The Andy Griffith Show."

For a complete list of film festival events and ticket information please see www.lindseyfilmfest.com

Southern Growth Policy

2010-02-25T21:23:10Z

On Monday, March 22, 2010, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities will join Design Alabama, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, and the David Mathews Center for Civic Life to sponsor a community forum on "The Road to Recovery: Making Choices for Your Community." The forum, one of several to be held around the state this spring, will run from 10 a.m. until noon in the boardroom of the Alabama State Council on the Arts offices in Montgomery (201 Monroe Street).

We invite you to join us in an open discussion on how to respond to current economic challenges in our community, while trying to position ourselves for economic success in the future. As a forum participant, you will be joining thousands of other Southerners, who are holding similar conversations across the region, to develop strategies for economic recovery. As an educator, arts programmer, museum director, librarian, or community activist, your perspective is unique and vital. Dr. Joe Sumners, director of the Economic Development Institute at Auburn University, will serve as moderator for the forum.

The Southern Growth Policies Board is a non-partisan public policy think tank based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Formed by the region's governors in 1971, SGPB develops and advances visionary economic development policies by providing a forum for collaboration among a diverse cross-section of the region's governors, legislators, business and academic leaders, and the economic and community development sectors. SGPB's research encompasses the major drivers for economic development in the South - innovation and technology, globalization, the changing nature of the workforce, and the vital role of the community. If you are interested in learning more about SGPB, its website, www.southern.org, offers a wealth of information.

Feedback from this and other Alabama forums will contribute to Southern Growth's 2010 Report on the Future of the South, a high profile policy report that is shared with Southern governors and regional leaders in business and education.

Please let us know by March 18th whether you will be able to join us for the forum. Feel free to share this with your staff and other colleagues who might like to attend. Do not hesitate to call if you have questions or need more information: 334-844-4946 or lamarja@auburn.edu.

Cities of Service Leadership Grant

2010-02-23T22:32:03Z

Founded in New York City on September 10, 2009 with 17 founding member cities, Cities of Service is a bipartisan coalition of mayors who have answered the historic Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act's call to action. Funded jointly by the Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the $2 million worth of grants will be awarded to ten cities, on a competitive basis, whose mayors have committed to increase the amount and impact of service in their communities. Each recipient city will receive $200,000 over a two-year period for the specific purpose of hiring a Chief Service Officer, an individual who will lead local efforts on behalf of their city's mayor to develop and implement a citywide plan to increase volunteerism.

To be considered for the two-year Cities of Service Leadership Grant, a city's mayor must be a member of the Cities of Service coalition and have signed and agreed to implement the coalition's Declaration of Service. Mayors interested in joining the Cities of Service Coalition should visit www.citiesofservice.org for registration. In addition, all applicant cities must have at least 100,000 residents according to the 2000 census and be home to at least one community college or a four-year public or private university.

The grant application can be found at www.citiesofservice.org and must be received no later than April 9, 2010.