Upcoming Webinar (2/5) – “Meet Me Downtown”: Case Studies in Small Town Economic Development

Across the country, small towns are rediscovering and reclaiming their main streets and downtowns by pursuing innovative community and economic development projects.  Once abandoned sidewalks, storefronts, and plazas are now bustling with activity as residents find their way back downtown, once again making these spaces the social, civic, and economic centers of their communities.
Join the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation on Wednesday, February 5 from 2-3:15 ET for a free webinar highlighting three small towns (Greenville, KY; Claremont, NH; and Millen, GA) that are investing in their downtowns through streetscape improvements, historic preservation, brownfields remediation, and tourism initiatives.  Learn how strong local and regional leadership, dedicated volunteers, and a mix of local, state, and federal funding can come together to transform downtowns and main streets, improving both quality-of-life and economic opportunities for residents.

Presenters:
Jason Vincent, Executive Director, Pennyrile Area Development District
Nancy Merrill, Director, Planning and Development, City of Claremont, NH
Linda Grijalva, Director of Community Development, Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission

Moderator:
Brett Schwartz, Program Manager, NADO Research Foundation
Click here to read NADO’s “Vibrant Rural Communities” case studies series, which highlights nine small town and rural communities that have embraced a variety of innovative economic development strategies.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY - Community Health Projects Related to Contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites

The ATSDR Community Health Projects (CHP) Related to Contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites purpose is to increase responsive public health actions by promoting healthy and safe environments and preventing harmful exposures related to contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites. Brownfields are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Land reuse sites are properties that are being redeveloped from their former use. EPA estimates that there are over 450,000 Brownfield sites in the United States. Addressing public health concerns and issues associated with restoration of contaminated properties is essential.

ATSDR’s mission is to serve the public through responsive public health actions to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures. Sites such as Brownfield/Land Reuse sites may have potentially harmful exposures from contamination from previous site uses. Community health projects that address impacts of contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse sites further ATSDR’s public health mission to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures. These projects will have a particular emphasis on identifying health issues prior to redevelopment and/or assessing changes in community health associated with reuse plans and redevelopment.

a. Eligible Applicants (select one): limited
b. FOA Type (select one): cooperative agreement
c. Approximate Number of Awards: 2
d. Total Project Period Funding: $300,000
e. Average One Year Award Amount: $150,000
f. Number of Years of Award: 1
g. Approximate Date When Awards will be Announced: September 1, 2014

1. Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: February 19, 2014, 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time
2. Application Deadline: March 19, 2014, 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time
3. Informational conference call for potential applicants: February 26, 2014, 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time, 1-877-462-8210 Passcode 471637

GRANT INFO

EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 4 Office in Atlanta

ATLANTA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy today announced President Barack Obama's selection of Heather McTeer Toney as regional administrator for EPA's regional office in Atlanta. EPA Region 4 includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and six tribal nations.

"Heather McTeer Toney has a proven track record and broad experience as an advocate and dedicated public servant,” said Administrator McCarthy. “I have full confidence that she’ll continue that sense of service and leadership working to protect people’s health and the environment as regional administrator in the region she was born, raised, and still calls home.”

Ms. McTeer Toney was the first African-American and first female to serve as the Mayor of Greenville, Mississippi, holding that post from 2004-2012. She joins EPA from Mississippi Valley State University, where she is the Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Student Learning. She is also the Principal Attorney at Heather McTeer, PLLC.

Ms. McTeer Toney's private-sector success is complemented by considerable experience in local and state politics. She began her career working as a member of McTeer and Associates Law Firm and handled a diverse group of cases ranging from racial discrimination to medical malpractice. Later she served as the President of the National Conference of Black Mayors and in 2009, was nominated by former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, to serve as the Chairwoman of the Local Government Advisory Committee. Heather is active in her community and an advocate for education, women’s issues, health and wellness. She is married to Dexter Toney and they have two children.

EPA regional administrators are responsible for managing the Agency's regional activities under the direction of the EPA administrator. They promote state and local environmental protection efforts and serve as a liaison to government officials. Heather is expected to begin her role as regional administrator in January.

FREE WEBINAR - FY14 Brownfield Grant Guidelines and Q&A Session

Summary:

In this session, Region 4 representatives will address Frequently Asked Questions, address changes to the ASSESSMENT, REVOLVING LOAN FUND AND CLEANUP and assist prospective applicants with preparing Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup grant proposals for the FY14 competition. We will discuss the ARC Grant changes since the FY13 competition. Please review the FY 2014 proposal guidelines/Request for Proposals (RFP) published in November 2013 when preparing for this session.

Start Date & Time:

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

1:00 PM

Guideline’s Webpage:

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm

Conference Number:

1-866-299-3188

Participant Code:

4045628534#