Monday Mailing
Year 20 • Issue 30 22 April 2014 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
How Can We Build Support for Affordable Housing? Mapping Trees To Figure Out Just How Good For Us They Are Business Oregon - Finance Programs FEAST Leadership Network Webinar: Food Hubs - May 7th Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit Now Online Earn Rewards for Your Volunteer Efforts! Building “Buy Local” Campaigns that Shift Culture and Spending Rural Gateway Common Grant Writing Mistakes You Can Fix Today! Wind Map 11. Free Webinars on Disaster Preparedness & Economic Recovery 1. How Can We Build Support for Affordable Housing? How can we build support for affordable housing? That’s the question at the heart of a recent report from the Center for Housing Policy, “Building Support for Affordable Homeownership and Rental Choices.” 1
Quote of the Week: "Still round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate. And though I often have passed them by a day will come at last when I shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Oregon Fast Fact: Oregon is located nearest the 45th parallel. The 45th parallel is equidistant from the North Pole and the equator and is found just north of Salem.
The report’s authors, Janet Viveiros and Rebecca Cohen, looked at the role of advocacy and communication for affordable housing through two lenses: public opinion research, and language and messaging. They examined findings from 35 research studies, as well as current data. Among the key findings — grouped by those that relate to public opinion about affordable housing, and those that relate to the language and messaging used in advocating for affordable housing — are the following… To access the full story, click here. 2. Mapping Trees To Figure Out Just How Good For Us They Are OpenTreeMap is helping cities figure out where all the trees are, so they can better judge the environmental and public health impacts of a wellplanted city. Here's a hint: The impacts are huge. Until recently, cities haven't had a good handle on their trees. Generally, they've not kept good records of where their trees are, which ones need attention, and what "ecosystem services" (say, in reducing pollution) they provide. That's changing because of OpenTreeMap, open-source software that's powering more than a dozen urban tree-inventory initiatives. Philadelphia now has PhillyTreeMap (56,884 trees and counting). Tampa has Tampa Tree Map (2,669 trees so far). And San Diego has San Diego Tree Map (340,952 trees). And more projects are on the way. To access the full story, click here.
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Business Oregon - Finance Programs The following programs are backed by lottery dollars and include direct loan and loan guarantees. Download a PDF summary table of Business Finance Programs or use the links below to view detailed program information. Oregon Business Development Fund (OBDF) provides direct loans that leverage private capital and provides incentives for businesses to expand or locate in Oregon. Program information Oregon Capital Access Program (CAP) provides a form of loan portfolio insurance so banks may make business loans that carry higher than conventional risks while complying with federal and state banking regulations. Program information Oregon Credit Enhancement Fund (CEF) provides loan guarantees to banks in order to increase capital availability to small businesses. Program information Oregon Industrial Development Bonds (IDB) are available to manufacturing projects, exempt facilities and nonprofit organizations to provide access to capital primarily for value-added manufacturing. Program information Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund (EDLF) offers direct loans to help new businesses get started. Program information Oregon Trade Promotion Program assists companies to enter into new international markets. Eligible expenses may be reimbursed up to a maximum amount per pre-approved strategic event. Program information Oregon STEP Program assists companies beginning to export, enter new markets or increase volume or value of exports to existing markets. Program information Brownfields Redevelopment Fund A brownfield is property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination. The Brownfields programs range in activities from site assessment to cleanup for properties where known or suspected environmental contamination is a barrier to redevelopment. Program information Business Retention Program (BRS) is designed to help private sector companies with multiindustry expertise in finance, marketing, operations, turnarounds, restructurings, feasibility studies, etc. Program information Beginning and Expanding Farmer Loan Program The Beginning and Expanding Farmer Loan Program (aka Aggie Bond Program) provides taxexempt financing to new farmers for financing capital purchases. Program information For more information, click here
4. FEAST Leadership Network Webinar: Food Hubs - May 7th - 10:30-11:45 AM PST Food hubs have received such praise as "Heart of the Local Food Movement", to "Sustainable Agriculture's missing link" to the solution for "Solving Local". While these impressive claims seem like reason enough to start one in every community, it's important to understand the various Page 2 of 7
incarnations of food hubs and some practical considerations before launching a food hub project of your own. For this webinar we will hear from 3 different food hub projects, from on-the-ground aggregation and distribution, to the strictly virtual: Ecotrust's FoodHub, www.food-hub.org, is an online platform that helps farmers, ranchers, fishermen and specialty producers connect directly with chefs, foodservice directors, retailers and distributors. With more than 5,000 members mostly in the Pacific Northwest, the site is a "virtual food hub" helping producers from anywhere in the region save hours of time and frustration finding the appropriate contacts to pitch their products.
Amanda Oborne is VP of the Food & Farms program at Ecotrust and helped grow the FoodHub member base from 600 to more than 5,000. She's keenly interested in helping solve the distribution bottleneck for family-scale producers, and sees FoodHub as one useful piece of a robust and integrated regional food system. Sprout! Regional Food Hub is housed in a former church in the heart of downtown Springfield, OR. The unique architecture of the space and the energy of the activities at Sprout! have brought new life to the area and are working to solidify the community food system in Lane County. Sprout! houses a year-round farmers' market, a 3000 square foot commercial kitchen, and comprehensive food business development services including technical assistance and access to capital.
Sarai Johnson is Assistant Director at NEDCO (Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation), where she
has lovingly toiled for nearly seven years. Her background is in small business management, particularly in the food industry, and in nonprofit management. She earned a Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon in 2012. Her hobbies include developing awesome programs at NEDCO (yes, she admits, it's a job, but it's too fun to just think of it as work); and playing trains with her two little boys, her husband, and her dog (who really can't play trains, but she tries anyway).
The Foodlink Food Hub maintains many of the same goals as the USDA Food Hubs, as they purchase and redistribute nearly two million pounds of local produce every year. The Foodlink Food Hub is unique, however, because our primary goal is to help underserved individuals and institutions access fresh, healthy, and affordable foods.
Mitch Gruber is the Food Access Programs Manager at Foodlink, the regional Food Bank in Rochester, NY. He manages the programs that let Foodlink shift their focus from "Food Bank to Food Hub," including the Urban Farm Stands, Curbside Markets, and Community Store Initiative. He is also completing a Ph.D. in History, with a focus on food systems, from the University of Rochester. In both program management and academic research, his work aims to show how to use existing infrastructure to create a more equitable food system. You do not need to pre-register. To join the webinar: 1. Go to: https://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/528951981 2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone: United States (Toll-free): +1 (619) 550-0003 - Access Code: 528951-981 5. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit Now Online The Oregon Department of Transportation has recently posted its “Transportation and Land Use Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Toolkit� online. The toolkit has been created to assist Page 3 of 7
local jurisdictions determine the types of actions and programs that might be implemented to help reduce GHG emissions caused by transportation. It contains a database of background information, a report on modeling and analysis tools, case studies and a communications guide. The law also calls for voluntary land use and transportation scenario planning by certain Metropolitan Planning Organizations in an effort to assist in the state’s achievement of GHG emission reduction standards by 2050. To access the toolkit, click here 6. Earn Rewards for Your Volunteer Efforts! Ever wished you could track just how much time you're putting into your volunteer activities, while generating measurable results for your efforts? Now you can use the free Reward Volunteers iPhone and web application to log your volunteer time, share your efforts on Facebook and through email and earn rewards. Sponsored by Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Reward Volunteers runs through July 7, 2012. The more volunteer hours you log between now and then, and the more you share your efforts, the more chances you'll have to win great prizes for yourself and the organizations you serve.! Prize winners are selected on the 7th of each month, with grand prize-winners drawn on July 7, 2012, so the sooner you get started the better! 7. Building “Buy Local” Campaigns that Shift Culture and Spending The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) has developed a new guide to help independent business owners, localist advocates, and local officials promote local business and community wealth building. The guide outlines strategies to build successful “Buy Local” campaigns that encourage consumers to shop at locally owned stores. It includes tips and resources for campaign content development, message framing, targeted marketing, and execution. To access this new guide, click here. 8. Rural Gateway The Rural Gateway is an information clearinghouse providing technical assistance, training workshops, and peer learning and resource sharing to support rural housing and economic development. One-on-One Technical Assistance Ask your technical assistance questions: 1-877-RURAL-26. A bilingual operator is available from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM (Eastern Time), Monday to Friday, to answer your housing, infrastructure, and economic development questions. Questions can also be submitted via email to rhed@hud.gov. Peer Learning and Resource Sharing Access funding alerts and learn more about innovative strategies. Rural Gateway resources include: • • •
Mailing lists that connect you to others engaged in rural community development across the country Conference Calls highlight model programs and provide an opportunity to ask questions and interact with your peers Case Studies illustrating common challenges and innovative strategies
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Local Training Workshops Participate in regional workshop sessions. Trainers with experience in designing, developing rural housing, infrastructure, and economic development projects will provide workshop sessions across the country. The sessions will provide participants with the tools, techniques, and resources needed to successfully engage in rural community development. For training work dates, locations, and registration materials, and other rural-related events see the Calendar of Events. For more information, click here. 9. Common Grant Writing Mistakes You Can Fix Today! There are common mistakes that many grant writers make that can hurt a proposal’s chance of being awarded. Getting over these hurdles can significantly help your organization’s application rise to the top of the pile. In this series, Alice Ruhnke, CEO of The Grant Advantage, will discuss common errors made by both novice and experienced grant writers and describe ways to avoid or fix them. To access this wonderful resource, click here 10. Wind Map This beautiful conceptualization uses wind data to weave art from science. Created by visualization specialists Fernanda Viegas and Martin Wattenberg, the map uses information from the National Digital Forecast Database to create a “living portrait” of the wind blowing through our world. Although the artists warn not to use the map to fight wildfires or fly planes, it is a lovely tool for getting a better understanding of wind movement. To access the wind map, click here 11. Free Webinars on Disaster Preparedness & Economic Recovery Join IEDC for the next two installments of the 2014 Disaster Preparedness & Economic Recovery Webinar Series in April and May. April: Long-Term Recovery: Addressing Business Failures in Years 2-5 Date: Tuesday, April 22 Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET Price: Free » Register for this web seminar The street lights are back on, the debris has all been removed, and your community is on the road to recovery. Yet businesses continue to struggle and a lasting recovery seems just out of reach. How can you, the economic developer in your community, help businesses survive beyond the initial disaster response and thrive for years to come? What are the challenges facing businesses impacted by disaster that might not manifest until years later? What can your community do today, tomorrow, and in the future to prevent business failures in the long-term following a disaster? This webinar will discuss these issues and provide practical advice on how to prepare for what happens in the longterm after your community has moved on from disaster. Speaker: Bonnie Canal Managing Partner The Resiliency Institute Bonnie Canal is a nationally recognized leader in community resilience innovations and strategies and Page 5 of 7
is the founder and Managing Partner of The Resiliency Institute. Bonnie's firm is focused on comprehensive community preparedness and resiliency by engaging the entire community's political, civic, business, and other key leadership personnel. From personal continuity, business continuity and disaster preparedness Bonnie understands that your success and future growth comes from your plan. Through practical applications across the full continuum of prevention, protection, response and recovery - TRI is your strategic partner; assisting you to see invisible opportunities and solve seemingly impossible problems that will enhance the resilience of individuals, your businesses, and your communities. Bonnie continues her resiliency consulting for communities, businesses and non-profits while traveling the US engaging in the conversation at the community level. She is a proud native of New Orleans and has worked in the field of Community Resiliency for 6 years. May: Asset Mapping & Data Collection before a Crisis Date: Wednesday, May 28 Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET Price: Free » Register for this web seminar Within minutes a disaster can turn an entire neighborhood, district, and city unrecognizable. Asset mapping and data collection before a crisis can speed up immediate, short, and long-term recovery efforts. With knowledge of the infrastructure, businesses, and community and industry assets, first responders can make quick, informed decisions to secure the area and provide the resources needed by impacted businesses. Using an accepted understanding of what existed prior to the disaster, developers can create short and long-term strategies. Attend this webinar to explore strategies for asset mapping and data collection to prepare your community for when disaster strikes. Speaker: Daniel Homsey Director of Neighborhood Resilience for the City Administrator's Office City and County of San Francisco. A fourth generation San Franciscan who has a degree in Political Science from San Francisco State University, Mr. Homsey has spent the last 25 years as a communications professional in both the private and public sector. After a long stint in the technology field, Mr. Homsey was appointed Director of The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services in 2004. In January 2008 he became the Director of Neighborhood Resilience in the City Administrator's office and is a member of the Presidio Institute's Inaugural Class of Cross Sector Leadership Fellows. Mr. Homsey is the project manager for the Neighborhood Empowerment Network initiative which is a coalition of residents, community supported organizations, non-profits, academic institutions, and government agencies with the mission to empower residents with the capacity and resources to build, and steward, strong sustainable communities. Upcoming webinars in the 2014 Disaster Preparedness and Economic Recovery Webinar Series include: • June: Using the National Emergency Grant (NEG) for Economic Recovery • July: Addressing Blight in Disaster-Impacted Neighborhoods • August: Fundraising Strategies for Economic Transformation • September: Navigating Federal Resources for Long-Term Recovery in Rural Communities Page 6 of 7
• October: Creating Successful Partnerships with the Private Sector • November: How to Write a Winning Grant Application • December: 'Open for Business': Crisis Communication About the Webinar Series With funding from a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the 2014 Disaster Preparedness and Economic Recovery Webinar Series is produced by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This training series provides practical information on key topics in disaster preparedness, recovery and resiliency for economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders concerned about the local economy.
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