From Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov Wed Oct 2 12:36:12 2019 From: Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov (Jeremy Zeller) Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2019 17:36:12 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] Funding, Publications, and Learning Message-ID: Not everything may pertain to your organization but you may know someone who could use the information. [cid:image001.gif at 01D5790B.2514D0E0] FUNDING 1. Intro to Applying on Grants.gov (webinar). 2. How to Register with Grants.gov (webinar). 3. Food and Farm Communications Fund's grant program Purpose: to support community-based organizations in making small-scale investments in communications training, platforms, and know-how opens soon! Limited-resource, movement-based organizations serving disenfranchised communities will receive priority. Deadline: 10/9/19. 4. USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Purpose: The purpose of the SCRI program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. Deadline: 10/15/19. 5. EPA Environmental Justice Grant Writing Basics Blog Series— Learn tips and advice for writing federal grant applications through the Grant Writing Basics Blog Series, more information here. 6. CRS Issued Updated Report: “Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs and Funding” Congressional interest in the SBA’s loan, venture capital, training, and contracting programs has increased in recent years, primarily because small businesses are viewed to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. 7. Annie’s Grants for Gardens Purpose: for the creation of school gardens. Deadline: 11/1/19. 8. Whole Kids Foundation offers School Programs & Grants Purpose: Dedicated to growing healthier kids through better nutrition. Salad Bar Grant Eligibility: Any district or independent school participating in the National School Lunch Program. Funding: See website. Deadline: See website. 9. School Fruit and Veggie Grants (Skoop and Chef Ann Foundation) Purpose: Awards school projects that help kids learn about and eat more fruits and vegetables. Sponsored by Skoop and Chef Ann Foundation. Eligibility: Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Schools with greater than 50% free and reduced eligible enrollment encouraged to apply. Funding: $2,500/school. Deadline: Available until funding is depleted. 10. The Ford Family Foundation offers the Community Building Spaces Grant Purpose: To provide funding for the development of public spaces. Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, governmental entity, or IRS-recognized tribe. Funding: $50,000 to $250,000. Deadline: Rolling. 11. The Ford Family Foundation offers The Good Neighbor Grant Purpose: To provide small grants to organizations in response to unexpected needs or simple projects. Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, governmental entity, or IRS-recognized tribe. Funding: $1,000 to $10,000. Deadline: Rolling. 12. Community Facilities Fund (Rural LISC) Purpose: Rural LISC was recently approved as a USDA Community Facilities Re-lender. These loans fund construction of essential community facilities. Eligibility: Nonprofits or public entities in rural areas. Funding: $100,000 - $8 million. Deadline: Rolling. 13. Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program (USDA RD) Purpose: Provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities, including local food system facilities, in rural areas with populations under 20,000. Funding: Varies. Eligibility: Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, federally-recognized Tribes. Priority is given to small communities (populations of 5,500 or less) and low-income communities. Deadline: Rolling. 14. Interested in authorizing your Farmers Market/direct retail to receive SNAP? See our webpage to obtain information and to apply. 15. Rural Business Development Grant (USDA RD) Purpose: Supports development of small rural businesses, including projects related to land acquisition/development, community economic development, and feasibility studies. Funding: $10,000 to $500,000. Eligibility: governments/authorities, nonprofits, universities, federally-recognized tribes, rural cooperatives. Deadline: Applications accepted through local or state Rural Development offices once every year. 16. USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Purpose: The purpose of the SCRI program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. Deadline: 10/15/19. 17. USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Purpose: projects should prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Projects dealing with agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR topic areas. USDA SBIR's flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA's vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air, and water. Deadline: 10/23/19. 18. Organic Certification Cost Share Programs (USDA-AMS) Purpose: Helps cover organic certification-related expenses. Eligibility: Producers and handlers. Funding: Up to 75% of certification costs. Deadline: 10/31/19. 19. USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program Purpose: promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Deadline: 12/3/19. 20. New Farmers.gov Feature Connects Farmers with Farm Loans that Fit Their Operation A new online tool can help farmers and ranchers find information on USDA farm loans that best fit the needs of their operation. The tool is especially helpful to farmers who are new to farm loans and need help finding the right type of loan for their business needs. 21. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Farmer Rancher Grant Program Purpose: Funds projects that research sustainable solutions to farm management. Funding: up to $7,500 for individual projects and up to $22,500 for group projects. Deadline: Varies. 22. USDA GroupGAP: Source Local. Safely. The USDA GroupGAP program helps ensure that locally-sourced produce meets the highest standards of safety and quality through the most rigorous audit process. Each GroupGAP farm is audited multiple times per year. 23. Farm Storage Facility Loans Purpose: Provides low-interest financing to build or upgrade permanent facilities to store or process agricultural products. Most recently, these loans made available funding for refrigerated vehicles. Funding: Up to $500,000 per loan. Eligibility: Please see eligibility requirements here. Deadline: Rolling. 24. USDA Microloans (USDA-FSA) Purpose: USDA’s Farm Service Agency provides financial assistance for small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm ownership or operations. Non-traditional farm operations can include truck farms, farms, direct marketing farmers, Community Supported Agriculture, restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponics, organic, and/or vertical growing methods. Eligibility: Please see website. Funding: Maximum of $50,000. Deadline: Rolling. 25. USDA EZ Guarantee Loans (USDA-FSA) Purpose: USDA’s Farm Service Agency has streamlined this loan process for smaller scale farms and urban producers. The program provides $100,000 to help beginning, small underserved, and family farmers and ranchers to purchase farmland or finance agricultural operations. The USDA also added a new category of lenders, including microlenders. Funding: Up to $100,000. Deadline: Rolling. 26. Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program Ohio Department of Agriculture) Funding: Varies. Eligibility: Land owners with greater than 40 acres of land in the State of Ohio. Land use must remain in agricultural production. Deadline: Rolling. 27. USDA, NRCS Offers Assistance to Protect Privately-Owned Wetlands, Agricultural Lands and Grasslands. Purpose: Eligibility: Land eligible for agricultural easements includes cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forest land. Funding: up to 75% of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Deadline: see website. Click here to find more information. 28. Head Start Grow More Food Good Garden Grants Purpose: to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to more children and families in the Head Start community. Deadline: 10/11/19. 29. 2020 RWJF Culture of Health Prize. Purpose: The Prize will recognize up to 10 winning communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all with a $25,000 prize. Prize-winning communities represent diverse places throughout the country-cities, counties, tribes, and rural towns. Deadline: 11/4/19. 30. SeedMoney grants for Garden Projects Purpose: For gardens including public food garden project, including youth gardens, community gardens, food bank gardens, etc., regardless of location. Deadline: 11/12/19. 31. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Grants Purpose: Funding for many different projects including those with a focus on Climate Change, Access to Healthy and Early Learning, Supporting Local Communities, and Helping Farmers Protect the Planet and Nourish the World. Date: Rolling. 32. Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs (Economic Development Administration) Purpose: Construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments to support regional economic development strategies. Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, Native American tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, governments. Funding: $100,000 - $3 million. Deadline: Rolling. 33. How to Use CDBG for Public Service Activities, is a four-module video on the Community Development Block Grant’s eligible and ineligible public service activities, how to ensure a public service program meets a CDBG national objective, and considerations for building an effective public service program to maximize the positive impacts in a community. 34. New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC) The U.S. Department Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) opens its 2019 round of the NMTC Program which aims to break this cycle of disinvestment by attracting the private investment necessary to reinvigorate struggling local economies. NMTC Program Fact Sheet: English / Español. Introduction presentation. Application Deadline: October 28, 2019 35. Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs invests to support transportation programs in counties with fewer than seven people per square mile. Specific requirements apply. Application Deadline: October 31, 2019 36. Pre-Disaster Mitigation FEMA offers funding to implement a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program with the goal of reducing overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events. Tribal Set Asides and Flood Mitigation Assistance. Application Deadline: January 31, 2020 37. The US Economic Development Administration has made $587 million available for eligible applicants in communities affected by disasters in 2018 and 2019. Applicants should propose long-term, regionally-oriented, and collaborative strategies designed to generate economic growth and resilience. EDA will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis. For more information, click here. 38. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Program. Through the REDLG Program, USDA provides zero-interest loans and some grant funds to rural utilities, which they in turn pass through to local businesses for projects that will retain or create employment opportunities in rural communities. The funding may be used to assist with business start-up and expansion costs; business incubators; feasibility studies; advanced telecommunications and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training services; and community facilities that spur economic development. Application deadlines and more information on this program is available here. 39. The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a 2020 Census Toolkit for State and Local Officials. The toolkit provides resources designed to help increase response rates to the Census and motivate constituents to respond. The results of the Census ultimately impact federal funding and support that communities receive. Encouraging accurate and complete Census participation and results helps ensure adequate federal support for communities and regions across the country. Click here to access the toolkit. 40. The US Economic Development Administration is encouraging its economic development partners to find ways to highlight Opportunity Zones in their regions in order to attract investment and encourage public-private partnerships. EDA has created an EDA Opportunity Zones Webpage for economic development stakeholders and others to use as a resource to help them foster job creation and attract private investment. Click here to access the EDA resource page. 41. The Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy and Brookings have released a report, “The Risk of Fiscal Collapse in Coal-reliant Communities” that examines the implications of a carbon-constrained future on coal-dependent local governments in the United States. It considers the outlook for US coal production over the next decade under such conditions and explores the risk this will pose for county finances. The paper also considers the responsibilities of jurisdictions to disclose these risks, particularly when they issue bonds, and the actions leaders can take to mitigate the risks. Click here to access the report. 42. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has partnered with the Council for Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) and the Ford Foundation to develop a playbook for community partners on Opportunity Zones. This playbook is the first in a series in which LISC aims to lay out potential trajectories and best practices for the range of Opportunity Zones actors. The new playbook is available here. PUBLICATIONS 1. Seven Habits for Effective Farmers Webinar Series Dates: Thru 11/6/19. 2. FNS Farm to School E-letter. Sign up at farmtoschool at fns.usda.gov 3. National Good Food Network Webinars 4. Authors Megan Phillips Goldenberg and Ken Meter, well known for their work on food systems assessments across the country, suggest that current and common assessment tools may not be precise enough for estimating the impacts of small local food firms, and that approaches that make community linkages more visible may be more appropriate. See this article from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 5. City Innovator Connect (Living Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies) Purpose: Are you an innovator working in city government? Do you know others who are innovators in city government? Fill out this survey by Living Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies to help them tailor their new funding opportunities. Dates: Available until survey closes. 6. The Legacy Project The Northwest Cooperative Development Center, with funding provided by USDA Rural Development, Washington State Microenterprise Association, and Washington State Department of Commerce, offers this free 7 part dynamic video series on key steps for businesses to become a Cooperative or Employee Owned. 7. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): A Primer on Telehealth This Congressional Research Service publication addresses how the Veterans Health Administration (VA) is using telehealth to increase access to care for veterans and provides an overview of VA telehealth programs and requirements, the impact of the VA MISSION Act, issues for Congress to consider, and rural Veterans. 8. Along These Lines: Electric Co-Ops are fighting back NRECA podcast covers the diminishing access to health care in many of the country’s rural areas: In towns where incomes and populations are in decline, local hospitals and clinics are closing at an alarming rate, and doctors are leaving or opting to settle elsewhere, but electric co-ops are fighting back with some creative, community-focused solutions. 9. Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program (Delta Program) Health Resources and Services Administration’s Delta Program supports and encourages the development of integrated health care networks to address unmet local health care needs and prevalent health disparities in rural Delta communities. Application Deadline: December 6, 2019 10. FY 2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental U.S. Economic Development Administration assistance helps communities/regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies. Application Deadline: Ongoing 11. Virtual Living Room-Using Technology to Address Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas Grants that combine rural technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resources, and local support to help improve healthcare access for veterans in rural areas. Application Deadline: Ongoing 12. Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees USDA Rural Development Rural Utilities Services offers this program to provide financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas. Application Deadline: Ongoing EVENTS/LEARNING 1. How to Use CDBG for Public Service Activities. This is a four-module video on the Community Development Block Grant’s eligible and ineligible public service activities, how to ensure a public service program meets a CDBG national objective, and considerations for building an effective public service program to maximize the positive impacts in a community. 2. Free webinar, Capital Opportunities in Agriculture. Explore opportunities for capitalizing agriculture endeavors with Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Click here to register. 3. CFARE Webinar - Local Food Procurement: A Catalyst for Small Farm Economies? Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 from 12-12:45 p.m. EST Register here Presenters: Dawn Thilmany, Colorado State University Becca Jablonski, Colorado State University 4. National Nutrition Network (Wholesome Wave) Purpose: Connect with those involved in nutrition incentive programs, access tools to build and sustain nutrition incentive programs, and work one-on-one with Wholesome Wave’s technical assistance providers to expand programs. Dates: Rolling. 5. Farmers Market Partners. USDA facilitates a collaboration with Midwest farmer’s market coordinators to discuss challenges, successes, news, and events. Together we can learn ways to improve and increase markets. Conference calls are held every 3-4 months and info is shared via emails. Please email Penny Weaver at penny.weaver at fns.usda.gov if interested. 6. USDA Midwest Health Care Partners. FNS Midwest Public Affairs facilitates a collaboration with primarily health care partners (eg: Mayo Clinic, Blue Cross Blue Shield) and related organizations and agencies who view hunger as a health issue. FNS holds conference calls every four months and sends monthly email blasts with news, resources, grants focused on FNS nutrition assistance programs, healthy food access, and work being done by health care companies and hospitals. Please email Alan Shannon at alan.shannon at usda.gov if interested. 7. Food Survey-Local Food Safety Collaborative (LFSC). LFSC is a collaboration between National Farmers Union and the FDA. The survey is one component of a needs assessment to address the needs of small producers and processors with regards to food safety and compliance with applicable Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. 8. USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Purpose: Provides financial and technical assistance to address agriculture conservation practices related to: drinking water protection, reducing soil erosion, preserving wildlife habitats, preserving/restoring forests/wetlands, and aiding farmers whose farms are damaged by natural disasters. New CRP programs were recently announced for organic farmers and dairy farmers with 100 or fewer head of grazing dairy cows. Date: ongoing. Location: Nationwide. 9. Homegrown By Heroes Purpose: Promotes farmer veterans’ point-of-sale visibility, greater awareness of farmer veterans, business planning and food safety support from the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Dates: Annually renewable. Location: Nationwide. 10. USDA Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Purpose: Provides risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy. This insurance policy is available to farms with less than $8.5 million in total revenue. The policy is also available to specialty and/or organic commodity farms or local or regional producers. Location: Nationwide. 11. Salad Bars in Schools Purpose: Provides technical and financial support to install salad bars in schools. The initiative is jointly sponsored by United Fresh, the Center for Disease Control, and others. Location: Nationwide. 12. Rural Homecoming October 18 - 20 | Various locations This fall, communities will come together to celebrate and give current and former residents a reason to reconnect with their hometown and the innovation and unique attributes that make their community so special. Rural Homecoming was developed by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) in partnership with the LOR Foundation, and today the organizations are launching the program by inviting any rural community across the country to participate, free of charge. Sign up. 13. NORA registration open for the 2019 Regional Summit October 22, 2019 at Northeastern State University UC, Tahlequah, OK. Scholarships are available by written request to Lisa Smith. Scholarships will need to include name, organization, community and reason. Please contact Lisa Smith, Executive Director for additional questions or more information. 14. Join Recast City on October 10 at 12 p.m. ET for a free webinar on how to boost the local economy and create thriving communities through small-scale manufacturing and supporting small business entrepreneurs. Click here to learn more and to register. 15. EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization is hosting a free multi-part webinar series called RE-Development Academy for Communities that will discuss the process for redeveloping a contaminated site through the eyes of a property developer. Community members (including local governments, economic development, and environmental protection departments, community nonprofits, brownfield redevelopment agencies & other local stakeholders), technical assistance providers, and state and tribal partners are encouraged to participate. Click each of the links separately to register for the webinars: October 18 Webinar: Peering into the Crystal Ball: How the Market Decides Future Use!; November 8 Webinar: Pulling Back the Curtain: How Developers Make Money! 16. How Officials and Boards Can Be More Idea Friendly Learn more here: https://saveyour.town/officials/ In our Survey of Rural Challenges, the role of officials and boards comes up over and over for people. People tell us it’s a challenge either because they are in that role themselves or they work directly with them. And they aren’t always open to new ideas! You’ll learn practical steps you can put into action right away that changes the way you approach officials and board members approach their role to be more Idea Friendly. You’ll learn how to work with board and officials to help them be more open to new ideas. Deb Brown deb at saveyour.town cell 641-580-0103 www.saveyour.town 17. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service completed its study of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and posted a fact sheet that provides a number of insightful facts about SFSP activity. Did you know… · The largest group of SFSP sponsors are School Food Authorities (SFAs) followed by Non-Profit organizations. SFAs comprise 45 percent of SFSP operators while another 39 percent are Non-Profits. · Sponsors of SFSP manage, on average, seven feeding sites. · There is still room for growth with one out of every five SFSP sites served only lunch. More expansion can be done in breakfast or snack service for children during the summer months. · Finally, SFSP sites served up to 900 children per day! You can find these facts, and more about SFSP characteristics, online here. 18. Chef Ann Foundation Looks to “Get Schools Cooking”! The Chef Ann Foundation is a national non-profit that helps schools ensure that every child can access to fresh, healthy food. Their newest “Get Schools Cooking” initiative is a 3-year assessment and strategic planning program providing schools the operational knowledge to move from “heat and serve” to a “from scratch” cooking operational model. Chef Ann Foundation’s is now accepting applications for Get Schools Cooking through Oct. 28. This is a great opportunity for school districts ready to make the transition to a scratch cook program. Apply today and learn more about this program here. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 70 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov Fri Oct 4 15:20:50 2019 From: Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov (Kelli Yadon) Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2019 20:20:50 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] ICYMI: Ponca City in the Community Spotlight from National. Message-ID: https://www.mainstreet.org/blogs/national-main-street-center/2019/09/26/community-spotlight-ponca-city-main-street Kelli S. Yadon Oklahoma Main Street Center 900 N. Stiles Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73104 c: 405.778.9375 o: 405.815.5379 800.879.6552 (toll-free) [OKLAHOMAMAINSTREETCENTER] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 9291 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov Fri Oct 4 15:23:43 2019 From: Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov (Kelli Yadon) Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2019 20:23:43 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] FW: [External] Main Street News | October 4, 2019 In-Reply-To: <881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1.6668e99b39.20191004184747.94bb7f22be.e52c062a@mail240.atl121.mcsv.net> References: <881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1.6668e99b39.20191004184747.94bb7f22be.e52c062a@mail240.atl121.mcsv.net> Message-ID: And, our own Stephanie Gardner …as part of the #wearemainstreet campaign celebrating 40 years of Main Street. [cid:image001.png at 01D57AC7.B398E500] From: National Main Street Center Sent: Friday, October 4, 2019 1:48 PM To: Kelli Yadon Subject: [External] Main Street News | October 4, 2019 Creating People-First Streets | October 4, 2019 [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/b79d7f51-a3f8-449a-92bc-6a5828e2fee5.png] [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/58adac23-1d40-449b-8484-373aed2174d4.jpg] Quote of the Week "Streets are more than just a means of mobility. Streets themselves are critical public spaces that can lend richness to the social, civic, and economic fabric of our communities." –This week, we released "Navigating Streets as Places: A People-First Transportation Toolkit” developed in partnership with Project for Public Spaces. This toolkit features transportation best practices for rural downtowns and urban neighborhood commercial districts through three platforms: a downloadable handbook, an online resource library, and a multi-part webinar series launching on October 29! [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/03b92fe5-7529-471d-b45a-bbfa3fe0fe51.png] • Just Released! Navigating Main Streets as Places: A People-First Transportation Toolkit • #WeAreMainStreet In Action: September 2019 Roundup • Community Spotlight: Ponca City Main Street • Champion Small Business Saturday on Your Main Street • Help Main Streets Win Vital Funding: Partners in Preservation 2019 • Community Spotlight: Big Horn Basin, Wyoming • Main Streets Are for Everyone • Main Street America Institute: Take Your Leadership Skills to the Next Level • Registration Deadline Fast Approaching for the 2019 Community Transformation Workshop • Culinary Destinations as Downtown Development Engines [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/0ad0bcf3-8216-4591-b053-ea706f48a792.png] • We Are Main Street Campaign (through May 2020) • National Solar Tour (October 5-6) • Virtually Attend PastForward Preservation Conference for Free (October 10-12 in Denver, CO) • Rural Homecoming (October 18-20) • Register Now: Community Transformation Workshop (October 23-25 in Richmond, VA) • Webinar Series: Navigating Main Street as Places (Tuesdays, October 29 - Nov 15) • Part 1: Historic Real Estate Finance Certification (November 11-15 in Milwaukee, WI) • 2020 Main Street Now Conference (Registration Opens December 4) • NTCIC's Main Street Revitalization Fund Actively Seeking Projects • Share Your Story: Guest Blog for Main Street America [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/178c0104-ac97-48aa-97dd-93027328ad3c.png] [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/442d59b7-28d4-4ec8-975b-f2af0f0e7317.jpg] Heritage Consulting [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/e8764288-9511-4b2c-b471-e8c5970133d6.jpg] Our Allied Network is made up of over 70 companies and consultants that provide a wide range of products and services related to downtown revitalization and economic development. This week, we caught up with Donna Ann Harris, Principal of Heritage Consulting, an award-winning consulting firm that provides highly valued training, workshops, research, coaching, and consulting services. Check out the Q&A here > [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/ed9315cc-7ae8-47a5-9e69-e86f39c333e5.jpg] • Fremont MFG Day: Where Manufacturers open up their doors to future makers (CA) Fremont Economic Development • Charles Town gets ideas from Main Street resource team (WV) The Journal • From Blight to Bling: The Rawlins Revival Wyoming Business Report • Gage House in Painesville adds patio, tables to outdoor space (OH) The News-Herald • More cities pass laws to block dollar store chains Institute for Local Self Reliance [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/33b49b01-b6c0-4dbc-9d8b-bf97989802f7.png] Overheard on The Point • Downtown Holiday Promotion (1 reply) • Storefront Refresh Program (new discussion) #WeAreMainStreet in Action This month, Historic Downtown Liberty (MO) is highlighting their Community Leaders. Their first feature is Bruce Neidhold, the City's Public Works Operation Manager, who has helped their community immensely by supervising many different projects including snow removal, street maintenance, and all kinds of jobs that regularly pop up. "We certainly wouldn’t be able to call Liberty our proud and safe community without guys like Bruce and all of their hard work!" In case you missed it... • State of Main: Winter 2019 • Announcing the Main Street Advocacy Toolkit • Real Estate on Main Street: Q&A with NDC Trainer Corey Leon Looking for a job? Visit the Preservation Leadership Forum's Preservation Job Board [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/23a486d2-1f90-4277-94a9-961f9af2bddc.png] [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/f3632561-139c-462f-9071-b183926d2b37.jpg][https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/c40d4cfd-f5f2-4686-9567-b0e0d392674a.jpg][https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/291a8384-191c-4d54-a061-d6bbce54fb91.jpg][https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/d0d3684a-4513-4d5e-b58b-055c04163468.jpg] [Facebook] [Twitter] [Instagram] [YouTube] Copyright © 2019, National Main Street Center, Inc., All rights reserved. This email is a benefit of National Main Street Center membership. Our mailing address is: National Main Street Center 53 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 350 Chicago, IL 60604 P: 312.610.5613 F: 202.588.6050 Email: mainstreet at savingplaces.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 518321 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov Mon Oct 7 12:38:26 2019 From: Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov (Jeremy Zeller) Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2019 17:38:26 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] Reinvestment Reports Message-ID: Just a reminder that reinvestment reports are due this Friday October 11th in order to receive your quality assurance points. Thank you. Jeremy Zeller Oklahoma Main Street Oklahoma Department of Commerce Jeremy.Zeller at OKcommerce.gov 405-815-5186 | OKcommerce.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov Wed Oct 23 13:28:24 2019 From: Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov (Jeremy Zeller) Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2019 18:28:24 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] September Reinvestment Report In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The on-time rate for September was 76%. The Main Street Programs that did not submit a report were Ardmore, Collinsville, and Tulsa Rt. 66. Remember, submitting your reinvestment reports on time gets you 5 quality assurance points and missing three in a row gets you suspension from services until a reinvestment report is submitted. Milestones this Month: None 2019 Reinvestment Report Summary For the Month of September Reinvestment Summary Cumulative Current 2019 Total Month Y-T-D Private Sector Reinvestment $1,359,541,198 $3,402,544 $41,113,824 Public Improvement Projects $420,392,172 $100,000 $7,499,810 Total Reinvestment Spending $1,779,933,370 $3,502,544 $48,613,634 Number of Active Programs 25 Number of Associate Programs 4 Number of Aspiring Communities 7 Number of Outreach Activities 13 52 # of Façade Rehabilitations 5,078 7 93 # of Other Building Projects & New Constr. 9,309 19 146 # of Buildings Sold 3,386 9 71 Net Gain: Business Openings, Relocations & Expansions 5,670 9 106 Jobs 19,437 40 387 Volunteer Hours (since 2002) 1,530,502 6,487 42,884 The summary report is attached. Jeremy Zeller Main Street Oklahoma Department of Commerce 900 N. Stiles Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73104-3234 Phone: (405) 815-5186 E-mail: jeremy.zeller at commerce.ok.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: RRsum19 Sep.xlsx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet Size: 78626 bytes Desc: RRsum19 Sep.xlsx URL: From Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov Fri Oct 25 10:24:06 2019 From: Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov (Jeremy Zeller) Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:24:06 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] Funding, Publications, and Learning Message-ID: As always, not everything may pertain to you, but you may know someone who will benefit from the information. One thing I want to point out is that this is a good way to build partnerships and potentially recruit volunteers. As you receive information that may benefit someone else, a partnership is forming. FUNDING 1. The Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2020 Farm to School Grant Program is now online and available through Grants.gov. This year, FNS seeks to award up to $10 million to schools, school districts, nonprofits, State and local agencies, agricultural producers, and Indian tribal organizations to plan, and implement farm to school activities. Grants ranging in size from $20,000 to $100,000 will be available for approved proposals in FY 2020. All interested applicants are encouraged to visit the announcement here. 2. USDA Publishes Notice on Farm Bill Changes USDA publishes notice on Farm Bill changes to rural population limits and other eligibility rules for Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program and the Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan Program. 3. Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) USDA funding supports agricultural producers and rural small businesses to reduce energy costs and consumption by purchasing and installing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements in their operations. Application Deadlines: Grants Oct 31 and March 31, 2020. Loan Guarantees: Accepted year-round 4. Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas Department of Veterans Affairs grants support transportation programs in counties with fewer than seven people per square mile. Specific requirements apply. Application Deadline: October 31, 2019 5. Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program USDA grant program assists communities with water or wastewater systems through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipients. Application Deadline: December 31, 2019 6. Solid Waste Management Grant Program USDA grant program assists communities through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipient to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. Application Deadline: December 31, 2019 7. FY 2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental U.S. Economic Development Administration assistance helps communities/regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies. Application Deadline: Ongoing 8. New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC) U.S. Department of Treasury program aims to break this cycle of disinvestment by attracting the private investment necessary to reinvigorate struggling local economies. NMTC Program Fact Sheet: English / Español. Introduction presentation. Application Deadline: October 28, 2019 9. 2020 Culture of Health Prize Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recognizes communities working together to transform neighborhoods, schools, and businesses that create the opportunity for better health. Application Deadline: November 4, 2019 10. Rural Health Network Development Program Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration funding improves the access and quality of health care in rural areas through network collaboration, adapting an evidence-based service model, and promoting sustainability of rural health networks through the creation of diverse products and services. Application Deadline: November 25, 2019 11. Accelerating Promising Practices for Small Libraries (APP) Institute of Museum Library Services offers support for projects that strengthen the ability of small and/or rural libraries and archives to serve their communities and to build grantee capacity through participation in a community of practice with a focus on transforming school library practice, community memory and digital inclusion. Application Deadline: December 2, 2019 12. The Ralph K. Morris Foundation Cooperative Leadership Fund Organizational Grant Grants provide support associated with training and educational programs for emerging cooperative leaders interested in the future of cooperatives, sustainability and environmental issues related to rural communities. Application Deadline: Ongoing 13. Champions for Change Center for Native American Youth provides an opportunity for tailored training, support, and experience-based learning for youth. Applications Due October 28, 2019 14. Tribal Access Program (TAP) U.S. Department of Justice program provides federally recognized tribes with enhanced ability to access and exchange data with the national crime information databases for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes. Application Deadline: October 31, 2019 15. Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program Institute of Museum Library Services grants support Indian tribes and organizations with museum services. NOFO. Application Deadline: November 15, 2019 16. Native American Congressional Internship The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation offers a summer internship for Native American and Alaska Native students who wish to learn more about the federal government and issues affecting Indian country. Application Deadline: January 31, 2020 PUBLICATIONS 1. How do we know that 42% of schools across the country participate in farm to school? The USDA Farm to School Census, of course! The Census happens every few years, capturing schools' efforts to buy local and teach students about food, nutrition and agriculture. The last Census was in 2015...and the next one is happening now! See results from 2015 & 2012 here. For more info, see the Farm to School Census webpage. 2. For Co-op Conversions, It's All in the Timing A success story about an employee ownership conversion - turning established businesses into worker cooperatives or other kinds of employee-owned businesses. 3. You've Got Your Market Study, Now What? The Food Co-op Initiative provides free resources to individuals working to start a retail food or grocery co-op. 4. Cooperative Educators Network - ed.coop A free and open hub for educational resources for teaching and learning about cooperative enterprises. Services are offered in English, Spanish and French. 5. National Tribal Energy Summit: Recorded Sessions Access videos from the plenary sessions regarding tribal energy issues. 6. Study: Broadband a Boost for Rural Telemedicine Use A new study shows that people in counties with poor broadband access are less likely to be treated via telemedicine. EVENTS/LEARNING 1. This Webinar, "Uprooting Racism in the Food System: Seeding Sovereignty for Black and Brown Farmers," seeks to expand perspectives and provide information on institutional and grassroots approaches to engaging socially disadvantaged groups in farming and food systems. Wednesday, October 23, 2019 Time: 3:30 pm Eastern Time (12:30 pm Pacific Time) Webinar Link: https://zoom.us/j/316742630 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +16465588656 , 316742630# or +16699006833, 316742630# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 6833 2. The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to issue guidance promoting awareness of protections for donations of apparently wholesome food under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. Under the Act, nonprofit organizations and individuals donating food do not face civil or criminal liability if a donated food harms someone, assuming the food appeared wholesome and was donated in good faith, and as long as donations were made in compliance with applicable state and local laws and regulations. To read the guidance, visit this link. 3. Small & Strong Food Co-op Conference October 26, 2019 | Bloomington, MN A networking and training event for staff and board members of small and startup food co-ops offering sessions on financial training, community impact and strategies for saving the small-town grocery store through conversion to cooperative ownership. 4. Toolkit Implementation: Practical Application of Tools and Skills for Cooperative Developers November 4-7| Madison, Wisconsin A workshop that builds upon basic concepts to then dive deeper into co-op business planning tools, like feasibility, to support in stable business development. Scholarships available. 5. Utilizing USDA's Loan Guarantee Program to Finance Tribal Projects November 6, 2019 | Free Webinar Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and USDA Rural Development provide a tribal learning event to examine the USDA's Loan Guarantee Programs from a banker's perspective. 6. National Rural Economic Developers Association Annual Conference November 6-8, 2019 | Kansas City, Missouri The conference features discussions about the advancement of rural development and the achievement of social and human service objectives in rural areas. 7. National SBIR Road Tour Schedule 2019 November 13-15 | Miami, Florida and Puerto Rico Small Business Administration Road Tour connects entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country's largest source of early stage funding with a focus on next generation research and development. 8. 2019 National Homecare Cooperative Conference November 19-22|Dulles, Virginia Homecare worker cooperative members and developers from across the country will gather at the fourth annual National Homecare Cooperative Conference. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 70 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov Tue Oct 29 13:00:49 2019 From: Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov (Kelli Yadon) Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2019 18:00:49 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] =?utf-8?q?FW=3A_=5BExternal=5D_National_Park_Se?= =?utf-8?q?rvice_Awards_Main_Street_America_Funds_to_Launch_Fa=C3=A7ade_Im?= =?utf-8?q?provement_Grant_Program?= In-Reply-To: <881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1.6668e99b39.20191024184528.8cfaf56cdb.a178f33c@mail240.atl121.mcsv.net> References: <881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1.6668e99b39.20191024184528.8cfaf56cdb.a178f33c@mail240.atl121.mcsv.net> Message-ID: ICYMI, like I did…☺ From: National Main Street Center Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2019 1:46 PM To: Kelli Yadon Subject: [External] National Park Service Awards Main Street America Funds to Launch Façade Improvement Grant Program MSA will offer façade improvement grants in 12 rural Main Street communities in four states across the country. View this email in your browser [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1/images/b79d7f51-a3f8-449a-92bc-6a5828e2fee5.png] Main Street America (MSA) is pleased to announce the Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program, made possible by a $746,900 grant from the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (HRSP) as administered by the National Park Service (NPS), Department of Interior. This is the first year of funding for the HRSP. State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Certified Local Governments, and non-profits were eligible to apply for funding to support a subgrant program to fund multiple preservation projects in their rural jurisdictions. As one of nine inaugural subgrant recipients, MSA will offer façade improvement grants in 12 rural Main Street communities in four states across the country. “We are excited and honored to be one of the inaugural recipients of the Historic Revitalization Subgrant awards,” said Patrice Frey, President and CEO at Main Street America. “We have seen the impact façade improvement funds have in producing significant, positive changes in rural Main Street communities, and we are thrilled to be able to offer these funds in four more states.” The Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program will significantly expand the funds available for façade improvements in rural communities, many of which have seen years of disinvestment. In the 12 selected communities, MSA will provide Main Street building and business owners with façade improvement grants of up to $25,000 each. The Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program will demonstrate the power of coordinated, small-scale façade improvements on local economies. By reinvigorating the image of these 12 downtowns, the program will also aim to attract private investment. “Historic preservation projects have consistently proven to foster economic growth,” National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith said. “Through the support of the National Park Service, rural communities are able to preserve their historic resources, shining a light on their unique local history, and bolster economic development.” Funding for this competitive program is provided by the 2018 Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) which comes from revenue from Federal oil leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, providing assistance for a broad range of preservation projects without expending tax dollars. Applications for the Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program will open to coordinating programs in January 2020, and states and communities selected to participate will be announced in March 2020. For more information about the grants and the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/revitalization. [Facebook] [Twitter] [Instagram] [Website] [Email] Copyright © 2019 National Main Street Center, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: National Main Street Center 53 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 350 Chicago, IL 60604 P: 312.610.5613 F: 202.588.6050 Email: mainstreet at savingplaces.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov Thu Oct 31 13:39:32 2019 From: Jeremy.Zeller at okcommerce.gov (Jeremy Zeller) Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2019 18:39:32 +0000 Subject: [MainstreetTowns] Reinvestment Reports Message-ID: I just wanted to remind everyone that the reports are due next Friday, November 8th. Since there is training next week I thought I would give you this early reminder. Thank you. Jeremy Zeller Oklahoma Main Street Oklahoma Department of Commerce Jeremy.Zeller at OKcommerce.gov 405-815-5186 | OKcommerce.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: