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Upcoming Webinars: April 2012

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Monday, April 2, 2012, 12:30- 1:00pm ET. Housing and Urban Development Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities: Broad Stakeholder Call. RSVP here by Monday, April 2nd at 10am.

Thursday, April 5, 2012, 1:30- 3:00pm ET. New Tools in Scenario Planning: Denver Region’s Metro Vision 2040 Update. Register here.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 3:00- 4:00pm ET. Creating a Unique Public Space: The Uptown Roundabout in Normal, Illinois. No registration required. More information.

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EPA Announces 2012 Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Recipients

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The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the 2012 recipients of the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program. SGIA will provide technical assistance to five communities nationwide that request the EPA’s help in finding the best strategies for sustainable growth. As part of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, the EPA will be working along with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2012 recipients are: the state of Vermont; Madison County, NY; San Francisco, CA; Spokane Tribe of Indians, WA; and Billings, MT.

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Still time to apply for EPA's 2012 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement

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The Environmental Protection Agency is currently accepting applications for its annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, due April 6th, 2012.

The award recognizes communities nationwide that have developed successful strategies for promoting and implementing sustainable practices in the economy, housing, transportation, and the environment.

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Partnership in the News: Agencies Participate in USDA Rural Roundtable Discussion

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The Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Office recently held a roundtable discussion in Ogden, Iowa with local residents and representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency’s field offices. Bill Menner, the USDA Director of Rural Development for Iowa, described the roundtable in his blog on March 16th as, “A great opportunity to talk with rural residents, business owners, and leaders about the issues facing their communities – and the opportunities that exist.”

It was also an opportunity to speak with Steve Eggleston, HUD’s Iowa and Nebraska Field Office Director, and David Doyle, Sustainable Communities Coordinator for EPA Region 7; continuing the collaboration between USDA and Partnership agencies.

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Smart growth equips cities for business growth, job creation

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What makes a city good for business? To get a sense, we looked two prominent business magazines that recently ranked cities all across America for their business climates. Four cities made it to both lists’ top ten: Washington, D.C.; New York City, New York; Austin, Texas; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

What do these “best for business cities have in common? They’re all using smart growth strategies.

“Great neighborhoods and great cities are where employees want to be and where businesses want to move,” said Geoffrey Anderson, President and CEO of Smart Growth America, “That’s why smart growth strategies are good for economic development – it helps businesses connect with workers and customers.”

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Briefing Profiles Partnership for Sustainable Communities Grants

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In a briefing at the Capitol, Wednesday morning, a panel comprised of three Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Planning Grant recipients recognized the benefits the grants are having in each respective community. The HUD initiative, as well as HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, is a vital component of the interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

Northern Maine, southern Florida, and the Memphis, Tennessee region have been able, with the help of grants, to address the unique needs of their community. Briefing facilitator Joe McKinney, Executive Director of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council in Asheville, NC, highlighted the economic focus and long-term benefits of the HUD initiative: “The guiding force behind our program is how these things [land use, housing, and transportation] contribute to economic prosperity.”

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Ask your Senators to support the Partnership for Sustainable Communities in FY 2013

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Last November, when Congress passed the appropriations bill to fund the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for FY 2012 it did not include funding for another round of the vital Regional Planning and Community Challenge grants run by HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities. This cut hurts communities across the country as they work to address their housing, transportation, and economic needs.

President Obama’s FY 2013 budget proposal would restore $100 million in funding to for these local grants, and we need your help to see that funding through.

Ask your Senators TODAY to support the President’s Budget request for the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities: click here to send a letter to your Senators.

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Funding Opportunity: Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge

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Four federal agencies are offering $15 million in funding to spur economic growth in rural areas. The approximately 20 regions to receive funding will also be eligible for technical assistance resources from an additional nine agencies. From the U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement:

Funds awarded to the winning applicants can be used to support and accelerate a range of projects including improving rural communities’ capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or economic and community development along with creation of regional linkages that connect communities with innovation clusters and regional opportunities leading to job creation, expanded markets, and economic growth.

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