Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities 2016-2017 Request for Letters of Interest - Due Oct. 12th

Communities across the United States are exploring smart growth and other environmentally sustainable approaches to revitalize their economies, create jobs, protect clean air and water, prepare for climate change-related impacts, and improve quality of life. However, when trying to implement these approaches, many communities run into barriers such as outdated zoning codes and other obstacles, lack of consensus around where and how to grow, and misconceptions about the cost and complexity of environmentally sustainable approaches. Moreover, many communities lack the technical expertise to implement smart growth strategies and the resources to educate local stakeholders about the environmental, economic, health, and quality of life benefits these approaches can bring.

The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program provides quick, targeted technical assistance to selected communities using a variety of tools that have demonstrated results and widespread application. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivers the assistance using teams of experts who conduct workshops in the selected communities. The program is geared toward communities that are relatively new to environmentally sustainable approaches but have a basic understanding of smart growth principles and how they apply locally. Communities most appropriate for Building Blocks assistance can articulate their unique challenges and are trying to kick-start efforts to address a specific local issue.

Key Information

 Eligibility: The applicant can be a local, county, or tribal government, or a nonprofit organization that has the support of the local government on whose behalf they are applying.
 Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 12, 2016
 How to apply: Submit the fillable PDF letter of interest, along with a short letter of support signed by a mayor, city manager, elected official, or other representative of the community, to BuildingBlocks@epa.gov.

 Tools offered:
o Tool 1: Creating Equitable Development
o Tool 2: Planning for Infill Development
o Tool 3: Sustainable Strategies for Small Cities and Rural Areas
o Tool 4: Flood Resilience for Riverine and Coastal Communities
o Tool 5: Green and Complete Streets

 Timeframe: EPA expects to select 25 recipients by November 2016 and provide all technical assistance by July 2017.

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