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<p class="MsoNormal">Happy Friday. I just saw this today about the AARP Community Challenge Grant, and thought some of you might be interested.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#333333"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#333333">The application period for the 2020 AARP Community Challenge is open!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<span style="background:white">The </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00A1BA;background:white">AARP Community Challenge</span></a><span style="color:#333333;background:white"> provides
small grants to fund "quick-action" projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are being accepted for projects to improve housing, transportation, public space, technology ("smart cities"), civic engagement
and more.</span><span style="color:#333333"><br>
<br>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#333333">Important Dates<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#333333;background:white">April 1, 2020: Applications are due by 11:59 pm (ET)</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#333333"><br>
<span style="background:white">May 26, 2020: Applicants will be notified of their status this week</span><br>
<span style="background:white">July 15, 2020: The selected grantees will be announced to the public — and the project work can begin — on or around this date</span><br>
<span style="background:white">November 9, 2020: All funded projects must be completed</span><br>
<span style="background:white">December 11, 2020: Deadline for after-action reports</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Link to article from NMSC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.mainstreet.org/blogs/national-main-street-center/2020/02/19/aarp-community-challenge-2020?CommunityKey=c40a84d1-46b2-465c-985c-c08ed69081ab&tab="><span style="color:blue">https://www.mainstreet.org/blogs/national-main-street-center/2020/02/19/aarp-community-challenge-2020?CommunityKey=c40a84d1-46b2-465c-985c-c08ed69081ab&tab=</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have a good weekend,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Buffy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Gadugi",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Buffy Hughes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">State Main Street Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Oklahoma Department of Commerce<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">E: <a href="mailto:Buffy.Hughes@okcommerce.gov">
<span style="color:blue">Buffy.Hughes@okcommerce.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">P: 405.815.5249<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">C: 405.664.1260<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:125%"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#4BACC6">OKcommerce.gov/main-street</span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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