Designing Alabama's Future

GETTING READY FOR MAIN STREET

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:05:34 -0600

11:30-2:45, Friday, August 27, 2010, St. James Hotel, Selma, Alabama

MAIN STREET ALABAMA AND THE ALABAMA BLACK BELT HERITAGE AREA INVITE YOU TO A HALF-DAY WORKSHOP FEATURING BOB WILSON
Director, Mississippi Main Street Association Board Member, Heritage Hills Heritage Area

The Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area has more than 50 towns that could qualify for a local Main Street Program. Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation over 25 years ago, Main Street is the nation's most effective downtown revitalization strategy. Join us in Selma to learn how this program could benefit Black Belt communities.

AGENDA All sessions held in St. James Hotel

11:30 - 12:00 Welcome and updates on the Heritage Area and Main Street Alabama

12:00 - 1:00 What Can Main Street Do for Me? Bob Wilson, Keynote Luncheon speaker

1:15 - 2:30 Concurrent Workshops

a) Getting Ready for Main Street
Bob Wilson and Main Street Alabama Board Member Sanquenetta Thompson tell you what steps to take now
b) Enhancing the Visitor Experience in Your Community
Tourism consultant Mary Jeanne Packer shares ways to use signage, existing facilities, and local people to enhance the visitor experience

2:30 - 2:45 Wrap Up

Information: Shebra Kidd, Downtown Selma Association / Main Street 334-874-2169 Wimberly Comer, Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area, 205-532-9582 Ellen Mertins, Alabama Historical Commission, 334-230-2657
PLEASE REGISTER BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2010
Download the registration form: mainstreet2010.pdf

HUD Launches Another Initiative to Solve Foreclosure Crisis

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:21:30 -0600

HUD Secretary Shawn Donovan has announced a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) that gives grantees priority for buying foreclosed Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured homes. Called FHA's First Look Sales Method, the initiative also offers NSP participants - states, localities and nonprofits - a 10-percent price discount for about 14 days from the transfer of foreclosed properties to FHA. After the 14-day period, those properties remaining will be listed for sale under FHA's standard procedure. The initiative will be effective until May 31, 2013.

''We believe FHA First Look will provide communities with a powerful tool to help them convert these vacant properties into the affordable homes families need to thrive and our local economies need to recover,'' Secretary Donovan told the National Council of La Raza Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. ''The truth is, as hard as it is right now, it's even harder to imagine what would have happened had we not acted when we took office - when we were losing 753,000 jobs a month, home prices had declined for 30 straight months and Americans had lost $6 trillion in home equity.''

Thanks largely to the joint HUD-Treasury Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and FHA's loss mitigation options, which together ''helped set a standard across the industry,'' the secretary pointed out, ''nearly 3 million borrowers have received restructured mortgages since April of 2009,'' almost three times more than lost their homes during that time. 7/12/2010

Click here to view the source article or Click here to view the source publication.

DOE Announces $30 Million for Energy-Efficient Housing Partnerships

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:09:09 -0600

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced 15 research and deployment partnerships to help dramatically improve the energy efficiency of American homes. These highly-qualified, multidisciplinary teams will receive a total of up to $30 million for the initial 18 months of the projects to deliver innovative energy-efficiency strategies to the residential market and address barriers to bringing high-efficiency homes within reach for all Americans.

A total of up to $20 million per year will also be made available for the partnerships for three potential one-year extensions. These research and deployment partnerships will provide technical assistance to retrofit projects and will leverage industry expertise and funding to support DOE's energy efficiency retrofit programs. This effort will support the Department's Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative, announced by Vice President Joe Biden in April, which brings communities, governments, private sector companies and non-profit organizations together to deliver energy-efficiency upgrades--or retrofits--to whole neighborhoods and cities.

''Home energy efficiency is one of the easiest, most immediate and most cost-effective ways to reduce carbon pollution and save money on energy bills, while creating new jobs,'' said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. ''By developing and using tools to reduce residential energy use, we will spur economic growth here in America and help homeowners make cost-cutting improvements in their homes.'' 7/20/2010

Resource(s): http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/

Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:32:13 -0600

ICMA has released a new report, "Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities," which focuses on how to adapt smart growth strategies to rural communities. Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Sustainable Communities, the report examines the challenges rural communities face, including rapid growth at metropolitan edges, declining rural populations, and the loss of working lands. It highlights smart growth strategies that can help guide rural growth while preserving the unique rural character of existing communities.

The report focuses on three central goals: 1) support the rural landscape by creating an economic climate that enhances the viability of working lands and conserves natural lands; 2) help existing places to thrive by taking care of assets and investments such as downtowns, Main Streets, existing infrastructure, and places that the community values; and 3) create great new places by building vibrant, enduring neighborhoods and communities that people, especially young people, don't want to leave. Featuring case studies from across the country, the report highlights how local governments, states, and non-profits have successfully implemented smart growth strategies to support rural lands, revitalize existing communities, and create great new places for residents and visitors.

To read the full report, visit: www.icma.org/ruralsmartgrowth. Hard copies of the report will be available later this summer. Stay posted to ICMA's website for information on ordering hard copies of the report.

Upcoming "Great Alabama Homecoming" events

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:06:54 -0600

Some 215 towns across Alabama welcome you home this year during the Great Alabama Homecoming. It's all part of the Year of Alabama Small Towns & Downtowns- a celebration of everything that is Sweet Home Alabama. There are homecoming events and festivals going on practically every weekend through mid-December. Upcoming events include:

July Fest- Vina- July 31
Harpersville Homecoming- Harpersville- July 31-Aug. 1
Fairfield Music Festival- Fairfield- Aug. 7
Cotton Mill Reunion- Valley- Aug. 7
Back-to-School Homecoming- Five Points- Aug. 13-14
Centennial Celebration- Lipscomb- Aug. 13-15
Founders Day Celebration- Hobson City- Aug. 14-15
Littleville Fun Fest- Littleville- Aug. 14
Rickwood Centennial- Birmingham- Aug. 18
Homecoming Celebration- Athens- Aug. 20-21
Founder's Day Festival- Fultondale- Aug. 21
Priceville Annual Cruise-In- Priceville- Aug. 21
Watermelon Festival- Russellville- Aug. 21
Killen Founder's Day- Killen- Aug. 27-28
A Homecoming Celebration- Wadley- Aug. 28

For a complete list of Great Alabama Homecoming Events please see www.alabama.travel/homecoming

Travel + Leisure puts Grand Hotel on list of Top 50 resorts

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:03:58 -0600

The August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine ranks the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Point Clearat No. 31 on its list of the Top 50 Resorts in the U.S. and Canada. The list is a part of Travel + Leisure magazine's annual World's Best Awards. The Grand Hotel is featured on the cover of this year's Alabama Vacation Guide as recognition of it being named the top spa for guest satisfaction by Marriott. For more information on Travel + Leisure magazine's World's Best Awards please see http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2010/hotels/resorts-us-canada/33. For more information on the Grand Hotel please see www.marriottgrand.com.

Bentley and Sparks will speak at tourism conference

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:01:13 -0600

Dr. Robert Bentley and Commissioner Ron Sparks will speak at the Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism Aug. 14-17 in Montgomery. Other conference speakers include Dr. David Bronner, CEO, Retirement Systems of Alabama; Roger Dow, President and CEO of the US Travel Association; Roger Brooks, CEO Destination Development International. Bentley and Sparks will speak during the Gubernatorial Luncheon on Aug. 17. There will also be educational sessions on how to bring travelers to your town/hotel/attraction/event/B&B/museum, managing social media, branding your entity, workshops with the state tourism department; and an update on the Alabama gulf coast. The Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism is being held at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa. Please see www.algovernorsconference.com for registration information.

National Education Association Invites Grant Applications From K-12 Teachers for Environmental Education Projects

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:58:13 -0600

The National Education Association is offering Green Across America grants of up to $1,000 each to help K-12 teachers across the United States implement their innovative education program, activity, lesson, or event to increase environmental awareness, create positive learning programs, and excite students about ways to create a better planet.

The program will award a total of $50,000, in grants of up to $1,000 each (dependent on the cost of developing the activity, lesson, or event). Information on the grantees' programs will also be posted on the NEA Member Benefits Web site for use by the education community.

The program is open to any educator employed by a public or private school (K-12) located in the fifty United States and the District of Columbia.
Grant award program applications are available at the NEA Member Benefits Web site.
Contact:
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=298900029

The Community Foundation of South Alabama Seeks Grant Proposals for Gulf Coast Oil Spill Disaster Relief

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:55:43 -0600

The CFSA has grants available for programs that address the unmet basic needs of fisherman and individuals working in the seafood industry that are struggling as a result of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. The Disaster Relief Fund will support programs that address the economic, environmental and cultural affects of the oil spill disaster by providing critical response activities and long term support to affected communities. Nonprofit organizations, located within Baldwin and Mobile counties are invited to submit a proposal.

Interested nonprofit organizations should submit a proposal using the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Disaster Relief Grant Application. Details about the requirements for submitting a proposal and the review process can be found online at www.communityendowment.com. For more information contact Janine Phillips, Program Officer, The Community Foundation of South Alabama, at 251-438-5591.

Upcoming "Great Alabama Homecoming" events

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:15:48 -0600

Some 215 towns across Alabama welcome you home this year during the Great Alabama Homecoming. It's all part of the Year of Alabama Small Towns & Downtowns- a celebration of everything that is Sweet Home Alabama. There are homecoming events and festivals going on practically every weekend through mid-December. Upcoming events include:

Mayberry Days- Graysville- July 10
Summer Celebration- Opelika- July 17
Tallassee Homecoming Weekend- Tallassee- July 17
Founders Day- Hayneville- July 17-18
Function at Tuxedo Junction- Ensley- July 23-24
July Fest- Vina- July 31
Harpersville Homecoming- Harpersville- July 31-August 1
Fairfield Music Festival- Fairfield- August 7
Cotton Mill Reunion- Valley- August 7

For a complete list of Great Alabama Homecoming Events please see www.alabamahomecoming.com

Forever Wild secures addition to the Walls of Jericho

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:05:45 -0600

The state's Forever Wild program has recently acquired hundreds of acres of biologically important forest in Jackson County, Ala. The 535-acre Sims, Swaim and Johnson addition to the Walls of Jericho Forever Wild tract was purchased in May 2010 from the Alabama Chapter of The Nature Conservancy with support from a $640,000 Forest Legacy grant from the USDA Forest Service. The land is located along the Estill Fork tributary to the Paint Rock River and isadjacent to the James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area. The Sims, Swaim and Johnson addition will be used for public recreation and conservation efforts, and will increase public access to the popular Walls of Jericho trail system located near the communities of Skyline and Hytop. State lands managers have documented more than 15,000 hiking and horse trail users annually on the growing trail system. New land acquisitions such as this ensure the public's access to the property and enhance the quality of life that state lands afford Alabamians. Considered one of the most biologically diverse and important regions in the United States, the Walls of Jericho Tract supports several species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and plants recognized under the Alabama Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy as species of highest conservation concern. As part of the Paint Rock River watershed, this area contains several springs and more than 3,000 feet of perennial stream habitat along Estill Fork Creek. The habitats within and along the Estill Fork waterway support some of the last remaining populations of several species of fish and mussels protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The plan to purchase the land was developed in 2008 through a partnership formed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Forever Wild Program, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC), the Alabama Forest Resources Center (AFRC), the Alabama Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and the State of Tennessee's Wildlife Resources Agency. Working cooperatively with the AFC to administer the Forest Legacy Program, the AFRC helped direct the project grant towards this purchase. For more information about the Forest Legacy Program, visit either the AFRC website, www.alfrc.org or the AFC website, www.forestry.alabama.gov. Forever Wild has secured more than 210,000 acres for public use and conservation efforts since its inception in 1992. The program also provides affordable and accessible hunting opportunities for all Alabamians, and helps to generate $1.4 billion of annual economic impact throughout the state. To learn more about the Forever Wild Program, visit www.alabamaforeverwild.com.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. For more information please see www.outdooralabama.com.

Webinar Today on Arts Grants Through HUD

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:08:19 -0600

Last week NASAA alerted you to new arts opportunities available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program.

HUD and the National Endowment for the Arts will be co-hosting a webinar on Wednesday July 7th to provide information for arts organizations that are interested in joining application consortia for the grants.

Please see the link to the press release below for more information and details on how to join the webinar.
http://www.nea.gov/news/news10/HUD.html

Jesse Rye
Policy and Program Associate
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Phone: 202-347-6352 ext. 118
Email: jesse.rye@nasaa-arts.org
Website: www.nasaa-arts.org

Save the Date: NASAA Assembly 2010, October 14-16

Alabama Association of Nonprofits -- Open Invite To ALL Nonprofits

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:48:06 -0600

Did you know Alabama's nonprofit sector now employs more than 126,000 people and generates $12.4 billion in annual revenue? Nonprofits in communities throughout Alabama are working each day to make a profound impact through the missions they believe in.

There is no question nonprofits play an important role in our state's overall economy, and without our sector a monumental and devastating void would occur. Thanks to the feedback of many nonprofit leaders, we believe it's time we come together, unified as one, to leverage the strength of our sector as a whole to create a greater understanding and recognition of the vital role we play at the local, state and national levels.

Please make every effort to attend a forum nearest your community. This is the defining moment for nonprofits in Alabama! This is our opportunity, working together, to demonstrate our worth and openness to excel on all levels within each of our organizations.

Come join John Stone, Association President, and Russell Jackson, Director of Member Services, as they unveil several new initiatives of the Alabama Association of Nonprofits. This is open to the public and we encourage you to invite your top volunteers and board members to attend. For more information on how you can register for a forum near you: http://www.alabamanonprofits.org/training/calendar.aspx

Register Now - Governor's Volunteer Leadership Conference - August 18th - 20th

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:45:11 -0600

Learn how to effectively engage and retain volunteers, trends in volunteer management, volunteers in disasters, new state and federal funding opportunities to expand volunteerism and service, incorporating volunteers into community preparedness, and exciting new initiatives including the Volunteer Generation Fund and Cities of Service.

The GVLC will be held at the Renaissance Ross Bridge. Registration cost is $150 / per person and the conference hotel rate is $92+ tax per night. For more information, please visit: www.ServeAlabama.gov

Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:59:26 -0600

Hosted by the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB)

Representatives from the Governor's Office on Disability (GOOD) and the Federal Highway Administration (Alabama Division Office) will conduct a full day interactive workshop providing an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and associated policies, rules and design guidelines for street crossings, sidewalks and shared use trails.

Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010

Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Place: Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
First Floor Conference Room
1731 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203

This free workshop includes lunch. Seating is limited. Registration will be handled on a first come first served basis. Anyone interested in attending should contact Cissy Edwards, mpo@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8402 and advise her of any special needs. For general questions regarding the workshop contact Tom Maxwell, tmaxwell@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8445.