Smart Growth and Schools Summit
February 19-20, 2007, Montgomery, AL Presented by The Seaside Institute and Faulkner University Jones School of Law in partnership with Envision 2020
Many communities that are reevaluating their growth patterns are also assessing how and where they spend their education dollars. Investments in schools both respond to and influence growth. Although challenging, the boom in school construction offers an unprecedented opportunity to improve the quality of schools and communities by applying the principles of smart growth to educational facility planning. Smart growth development: conserves resources and land; offers choices in housing, transportation, shopping, recreation, and jobs; encourages community collaborations; fosters distinctive, attractive neighborhoods. These same principles are commonly shared by educators. Both groups believe that schools should provide quality educational programs and services. Both see community-centered schools as resources and enhancements for the entire community, not just for students. They believe schools should be located in existing neighborhoods, within walking distance of residents and services, rather than in outlying areas accessible only by car or bus. They understand that schools lodged in compact communities offer amenities that support the children they serve, their families and the community as a whole. For additional information visit: http://www.theseasideinstitute.org/net/content/go.aspx?s=45679.0.79.7801
News From Around Alabama's Communities
 |
The Alabama Tombigbee Region:
Linda Vice, Tourism Director for the Alabama Tombigbee Region, is heading up an oral history project in Wilcox County to find stories of rural life in Wilcox County that will compliment a collection of photographs taken in the early part of the 20th century. An article she wrote for the local newspaper, The Progressive Era, was picked up by the Associated Press. This is one example of how sucessful projects on the local level can be of interest to a larger audience and can build good public relations for a small town. Many calls have been received from people who have information and interest in the project from as far away as Atlanta. Involved in the training for the project are Joey Brachner from the State Arts Council Center for Traditional Culture and Joyce Cauthen, Executive Director of the Alabama Folklife Association.
Evergreen and Conecuh Counties:
Things are looking up in Evergreen and Conecuh County these days--we've got some downtown renovation and restoration projects ongoing in the historic downtown Evergreen district--some shops are relocating to the old buildings and will be re-opening soon! We're excited about this and also about some other plans to renovate the downtown area! Pride is on the rise among the stores, and others are going into business for themselves as well. The new Conecuh County Government Complex is coming right along, outside facade appears to be almost finished, as they are installing the step railings, and exterior touches; working inside, and doing paving, parking, etc The style definitely reflects the earlier structure that was torn down; and for that we are grateful that it's not too modern looking--the exterior has that soft tint to it that the older building had, and we all seem to like that!
Plans are moving right along for the Conecuh County Cultural Center to be located in the old Evergreen Elementary School; fundraisers are being scheduled and plans to renovate are being finalized. An excellent group of Conecuh citizens, businessmen and women, retired teachers, historians are all on the CCC Committee and feel like they are making progress, baby step by baby step! more news and events from Alabama's Communities.
In Brief:
Alabama Communities of Excellence's (ACE) new website: To learn more about ACE and how participating in the ACE program can help your community, visit their new website at www.alabamacommunitiesofexcellence.org.
We Need Your Photos: Please send us photos of your communities! We need entry signs, facade improvements, anything that you'd like to share that can help us build our photo library of good planning and design. Please send them to info@yourtownalabama.org.
AIA's 10 Principles: The American Institute of Architects, Alabama Chapter, will be working with Your Town Alabama in an effort to showcase their commitment to sustainable communities. The principles include Designing on a Human Scale, Providing Choices, and Mixed Use Communities. more>>>
Funding Opportunities Abound!
Here's a list of grant opportunities that should help everyone--not all will be useful for your community, but there are many, many opportunities available for funding. (includes food banks, police, preservation, arts and humanities, Smart Growth, Planning and more>>>
Data MappingProgram coordinators and grant writers who want to convey their communities' needs with solid facts and visual impact can use a new online, interactive resource called DataPlace. Developed and maintained by the Fannie Mae Foundation, DataPlace is a source of demographic, economic, and housing data about communities, regions, and the nation. The DataPlace mapping tool produces colorful, thematic maps. DataPlace's chart and table builder creates bar and line charts, accompanied by data tables. |
Successful Strategies for Recruiting, Training, and Utilizing Volunteers HandbookThis handbook is designed for community groups and faith-based organizations seeking to maximize the skills of their volunteers, expand their services to the community, and enhance their effectiveness. Although the handbook focuses on prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance abuse and mental illness, the principles described in the handbook can be applied to any field and should help organizations understand how to implement and manage a successful volunteer program. |
Parking Not the ProblemIf you think parking problems are limiting downtown’s growth, think again. The truth is, parking has virtually nothing to do with whether or not people come downtown, says Aaron Renn, a commentator on transportation and urban planning. It is simply an easy scapegoat for people to whine about when answering surveys. People who don’t come downtown stay away because there is nothing there they want. Provide these people with real attractions and they will come, regardless of parking. The best bet for the redevelopment of still hurting sections of downtown is to make sure they are selling something people want to buy - not ensuring that they have a huge parking lot.” From Downtown Idea Exchange |
2006 CENTURY AND HERITAGE FARM PROGRAM |
Transportation Means Business Conference April 18th, Montgomery Is your community prepared to compete in the 21st century? Learn how transportation affects job growth and employment in your community; challenges and opportunities for Alabama; what other states are doing about transportation; actions we can take in Alabama. For additional information visit www.transportationmeansbusiness.com |
2007 Call for Entries. National Award for Smart Growth Achievement The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the sixth annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public-sector entities that have used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. Smart growth development practices support national environmental goals by preserving open spaces and parkland and protecting critical habitat; improving transportation choices, including walking, bicycling, and transit, which reduces emissions from automobiles; promoting brownfield redevelopment; and reducing impervious surfaces, which improves water quality. more >>> |
This year, nineteen farms qualified for the Alabama Century and Heritage Farm program. Each farm has been in operation as a family farm for over 100 years. These farms represent the rich heritage of agriculture in our state. All recipients will receive a certificate signed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Ron Sparks and Governor Bob Riley, officially designating their farm as an Alabama Century and/or Heritage Farm. This year, each family will also receive an aluminum sign with the designation for their farm printed on it. Several families received their certificates at county Farm-City Banquets last month. If you feel your family farm qualifies for this program, check the Alabama Farmers and Consumers Bulletin next summer for an announcement that applications are available for the 2007 program. The publication is available on-line at 