January 20, 2010
Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc, in cooperation with the USDA Rural Development, is in the beginning stages of a national pilot project to document and leverage the power of rural-urban connections and resource sharing to help all Minnesota thrive. That project is:
Rurb.Mn – A State of Mind, Hearts, and Action that We are All in This Together!
January 12, 2010
JANUARY 2010 – Volume VIII, Number 1
A compendium of news, announcements, and, yes, some opinions.
Compiled and edited by Deb Miller Slipek, Ann Treacy, and Jane Leonard
—Across the Field
–Funding
—Meetings & Trainings
—Opportunities
—Miscellaneous
Across the Field – Way Across to Australia! And More on Rural Urban Connections
by Jane Leonard
Next month I will be writing this column from Australia, on a long-awaited sabbatical, from January 20 to April 20 to study and share ideas on rural development, rural urban connections, innovation, community informatics, entrepreneurship and community economic reinvention – with colleagues from across the Land Down Under.
I was supposed to do this in January 2009, but breast cancer delayed that by one year (I am doing great – recovered and on my way!). Courage, grace, gratitude were the words, actions, and feelings that sustained me and continue to do so.
They fit as well for the economic battles we all continue to wage. I don’t expect to find THE answer to economic recovery in Australia but we can learn a lot from a country that has less than a tenth of our population, a great desert and Great Plains in its mid-section, and population centers on the coasts (sound familiar?) with demographic and economic evolutions that mirror us.
It’s been crazy getting ready to be away for three months, but I think we’re crazy not to continue to be curious and connected to what’s happening in other parts of the world.
What Australia has that we don’t have yet is universal health care and the guts to make other shared social and economic infrastructure investments. They get it – especially in the face of extreme economic woes — that government can help create conditions for innovation and enterprise development to develop, to knock the economy out of its doldrums.
For example, last April the Australian government announced it was investing $43 billion ($31 billion U.S.) — in one of the world’s largest state-sponsored nationwide broadband upgrades – to every one of the 21,000 million Australians, rural and urban alike. In contrast, with over 10 times as many people to reach, the U.S. Congress has allocated $7.2 billion for U.S. upgrades.
The Aussies aren’t afraid to create a publicly owned company to stimulate the build-out, in cooperation with the private sector (which was bidding to build a slower, less expensive network with fiber-optic cables reaching as far as local nodes – about a $10 million plan).
The Australian Prime Minister pushed instead for a superior network that would deliver broadband speeds of up to 100 megabits per second — fast enough to download multiple movies simultaneously — to 90 percent of Australian buildings through fiber-optic cables that extend directly to the premises. The remaining 10 percent get upgraded wireless access.
According to a New York Times article written last April, “analysts said the state-sponsored project would be the most ambitious fiber-to-the-premises network to have been undertaken by any nation and would be watched carefully by other governments considering Internet infrastructure spending as a way to stimulate economic growth as the global economic crisis continues.” http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E5DE1E3EF93BA35757C0A96F9C8B63
Rural Urban Connections Project Underway – www.rurb.mn
In addition to the catalytic ability of common good actions like those in Australia, you have to share ideas to prime the innovation pump. That’s what I’m doing in Australia. Back on the home front, in another nod to learning more about innovation, the MRP, Inc. team is putting together the Rural Urban Connections project, now underway in cooperation with USDA Rural Development.
The simple idea is to share ideas, about rural urban connections in Minnesota – in your life and work – that help rural and urban people, places, and businesses and organizations thrive. There’s always been interdependency between rural and urban resources, producers, markets, but we don’t always deliberately call it out or intentionally build on it.
We really need an integrated approach to rural, urban, and suburban community and economic development and planning in Minnesota, if we want to thrive – not just survive. Innovation and wealth creation in social and economic enterprise in Minnesota depends on a good understanding and application of the rural urban connections we have now and into the future.
Urban (including suburban) people have to face it. Access to and sustainability of the big three –food, energy, and water resources — all depends on having an understanding and support of, and respect for the rural people and places that steward those resources.
This isn’t a new idea. In fact, back in May 1968, former Minnesota Governor and then-U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman gave a speech in Washington, D.C. to the leaders of the nation’s “rural-oriented industries” on the topic: “Rural/Urban Balance – Whose Responsibility?”
Freeman said: “We are met here today to discuss this portion [rural] of America in a period when almost all of the national conscience is focused on yet another segment of the land, the great cities.
“It is almost as if we were two Nations; one rural, one urban, with separate problems, separate solutions, separate destinies. But in fact – as well as rhetoric – we are still one Nation, indivisible, with indivisible problems, indivisible solutions; with but one destiny. And unless we recognize this, we shall never overcome the terrible strains that threaten to rend the social fabric of our land.”
Powerful words. A powerful confrontation of reality, so relevant to our challenges, and opportunities today. We’ll be sharing more of that speech in the months ahead, so stay tuned.
To answer the 2010 question of rural urban balance, we will begin simply, to collect through videoconferences and other online forms of social gatherings – the stories, examples, experiences you have of rural urban connections in businesses, food and agriculture, arts, health care, education, telecom & info technology, workforce development, energy, environment, and other areas that emerge from these conversations and idea-sharing opportunities. Check the schedule (to be posted towards the end of January) and other ways to provide your input at www.rurb.mn.
The first videoconference is in southeast Minnesota on January 19 from 4 to 5 p.m. Sites include Adams, Houston, Owatonna (pending) and the TIES offices in St. Paul. Contact Pam Matchie for specific location directions and to RSVP (pmatchie@decisionresourceassociates.com).
Along the way, with the help of our Graduate Research Assistant at the UM Center for Regional and Urban Affairs, we’ll start physically mapping those connection stories you contribute. We’ll all either be astounded at the number and depth, or worried that not enough connections exist to prime the innovation pump and sustain our state.
And, mark your calendars and please attend the University of Minnesota, Morris, Center for Small Towns’ annual Small Town Symposium, June 9-10 http://www.morris.umn.edu/services/cst/symposium/2010
At the Symposium, we’ll be hosting the Rural Urban Gathering, to share what we’ve collected between January and May 2010 on rural urban connections, and to ask you to consider joining the Rural Urban Partnering Task Force, to keep supporting existing and emerging rural urban connections.
We are co-hosting the Small Town Symposium because we believe deeply in the work of the Center. They are a catalyst for the innovations happening at the University and in and around Morris on sustainable community development. The University of Minnesota Morris was GREEN before it was fashionable. They were GREEN because they knew western Minnesota needed to figure out how to reinvent its economy and what better lab than a university town with experiment and outreach centers.
We are co-hosting the Symposium because it was cancelled last year due to the poor economy. It’s crucial that people gather face-to-face to inspire, cajole, take risks together and go out better prepared to help their own communities do the same. The worst thing we can do these days is to hunker down. We have to go out and help each other reset to a new, better normal.
So – go to www.rurb.mn to do a couple of things:
And please go to our Twitter site to join in the discussion at 140 characters or less! http://twitter.com/rurbmn
Minnesota Community Pride Contest Back for 2010!
We’ll provide more details in May, but start thinking now about entering your community in the 2010 Minnesota Community Pride contest, brought back by popular demand thanks to Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc., the Minnesota State Fair, and MinnPost.com.
All communities entered and winners will be recognized at the Minnesota State Fair on Sunday, September 5, in Carousel Park. See www.reinventingminnesota.org to see which communities were award winners last year. Share your ideas, share your pride with your neighbors statewide.
FUNDING
–Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants. The Minnesota Office of Energy Security requests proposals from Minnesota local units of government who are eligible for these stimulus program competitive grants. Funding is to reduce energy use, create or retain jobs, and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Applications are due Jan. 25. For more information go to: http://www.commerce.state.mn.us/EnergyRFP/EECBG.html
–Energy Projects in Commercial, Industrial & Non-Profit Buildings. The MN Office of Energy Security is requesting proposals for competitive funds to implement cost-effective projects that maximize energy savings, displace fossil fuel energy inputs and reduce the total energy demand of buildings. Applications are due Feb. 12. For more information go to: http://www.energy.mn.gov [select: Active RFP]
–New funding opportunities for three of Minnesota’s Regional Arts Councils! As a result of new partnerships three additional granting opportunities for residents living in the counties associated with the East Central Regional Arts Council, the Central MN Arts Board, and the Southwest MN Arts and Humanities Council are available. For more information please visit the grants page website (http://www.forecastpublicart.org/grants-program-info.php) and attend one of these upcoming workshops either in the Twin Cities or in your region! The deadline for all Forecast grants is February 6th, 2010!
· Wednesday January 13 - 6:30-8:30pm – at the Paramount in St. Cloud [ map ]
· Wednesday January 13 - 6:30-8:30pm – at SMAHC office in Marshall [ map ]
Please RSVP to melinda@forecastpublicart.org if you plan to attend a workshop and they’ll reserve a spot for you as well as keep you updated on workshop locations, parking information, and last minute changes. Also, contact Melinda Childs, if you have specific questions about these funding opportunities by email or phone 651-641-1128.
–Indian Education: Professional Development Grants are available to non-profits and Institutions of Higher Education to improve the number and quality of Native American educators who teach Native American children and youth. Deadline: February 15, 2010. For more information go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-30201.htm.
–High School Equivalency Exam (HEP) funding is available to non-profits to help migrant and seasonal farm workers and their children obtain a general education diploma (GED) that meets the guidelines for high school equivalency established by the State in which the HEP project is conducted. Deadline: February 16, 2010. For more information and to apply go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-29807.htm.
MEETINGS /TRAININGS
–The Home Grown Economy 2010 – Equipping you to Build Community-Based Food Systems conference will take place February 15-16 at SW MN State University in Marshall. Online registration is at www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu or call Toni Merdan with questions at 218-847-5056.
–Webinar Series. The Heartland Center for Leadership Development in collaboration with the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship has announced a new Webinar series with the theme Strategies for Community Prosperity. Each Webinar will start at 12:00 PM Central Time and run for one hour. The cost of each is $59.99 but you may purchase the entire series at one time for $250.00. For more details and registration information about the Webinar series go to: http://www.heartlandcenter.info/webinar_reg/. The schedule is as follows:
January 21, 2010 Rural Communities Can Thrive in the 21st Century
February 18, 2010 Entrepreneurial Coaching–From Crisis to Economic Growth
March 18, 2010 Plowing New Ground–Refreshed Leadership Development for Revitalized Economies
April 15, 2010 Energized Youth–Energized Communities
May 20, 2010 People Count–Rebuilding Rural Communities with People Attraction Strategies
–The MN Council of Nonprofits has a fantastic line-up of network lunches taking place all over the state. MCN’s network lunches are casual, one-hour long guided conversations about specific topics of interest to you and your colleagues. Network lunches are free and open to anyone who’d like to attend; no RSVPs or registrations are necessary. Just show up and join in. Go to: http://www.mncn.org/event_networklunches.htm for a schedule.
–SAVE THE DATE: June 9-10 for the Symposium on Small Towns and Rural Urban Gathering — “Finding Solutions and Redefining Communities” at the University of Minnesota, Morris. The theme for this year’s Symposium on Small Towns will focus on leadership, capacity building, and practical solutions for improving small-town communities and strengthening rural-urban connections. In tough economic times, the importance of connecting with people and ideas outside of our local situations becomes vital.
Participants in the 2010 Symposium will learn about:
The University of Minnesota, Morris Center for Small Towns and Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc. and their Rural Urban Connections project are pleased to co-host this event. The Symposium will be a one day event on June 10, 2010. The Rural-Urban Gathering will be held on the evening of June 9, 2010 hosted by Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc. and will continue as part of the June 10 program as well. The focus of the gathering will be on the development of the Minnesota Rural-Urban Partnership Task Force with its emphasis on education, workforce and entrepreneurship to increase innovation and wealth creation. Scholarships are available to those who might need assistance with the already low cost to attend. More information about the Symposium and the Rural-Urban Gathering is at http://www.morris.umn.edu/services/cst/symposium/2010 or call 320-589-6451.
OPPORTUNITIES
–Northeast Entrepreneur Fund will host a two-day Northland Flavor Marketplace in Duluth at the Holiday Inn Conference Center on Sunday, March 7, noon – 4:00 p.m. and Monday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Northland Flavor Marketplace will allow regional artists to display their products to potential retail buyers such as gift shops, bookstores, floral shops, jewelers, and similar outlets. This is a wholesale opportunity, not a retail event. Eligible artists will be provided a draped exhibit table to display their product lines to event visitors.
Potential event participants include but are not limited to crafters, visual artists, sculptors, potters, jewelry makers, photographers, musicians, specialty food producers, and writers. Cost for a two-day display table is $150. To be eligible to display at the Northland Flavor Marketplace, an artist must:
To learn more about Northland Flavor, please visit the Northland Flavor site. http://www.entrepreneurfund.org/northlandflavor.html
MISCELLANEOUS
–22 Minnesota GreenCorps Members Serving Statewide. Minnesota GreenCorps is an environmentally-focused AmeriCorps program, coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Starting in late September 2009, 18 full-time and 4 half-time AmeriCorps members are serving at host site locations throughout the state, including 4 members at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Members will be serving until the end of August 2010. The members hold one of the following five positions:
The 15 host sites include counties, cities, school districts and nonprofit organizations. A detailed listing of all the member activities and host sites can be found at the web site above. Funding for Minnesota GreenCorps was provided through the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) and ServeMinnesota.
For more information about Minnesota GreenCorps, please contact Stephanie Souter, coordinator, at 651/757-2749 or stephanie.souter@state.mn.us Another round of member and host site selection may occur in mid-2010 should the program be continued for the service year starting fall 2010.For more information go to:
http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/greencorps
–26 Minnesota GreenStep City Best Practices – in draft form for comment. Go to
http://www.MnGreenSteps.org To be formally launched at the League of Minnesota Cities conference in June 2010, GreenStep Cities is an assistance program to support, encourage and recognize implementation of sustainable development best practices by Minnesota cities, especially small and medium-sized cities. Program developers include the MN Pollution Control Agency, MN Office of Energy Security, the League of MN Cities, the MN Association of Small Cities, the Clean Energy Resource Teams, the Great Plains Institute, the Izaak Walton League-MN and the Urban Land Institute-MN.
Minnesota cities assisting in the program design/piloting to date are Pine River, Grand Rapids, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Edina, St. Louis Park, Victoria and Falcon Heights.
See a summary of draft best practices at http://www.MnGreenSteps.org organized into the categories of:
For each of 26 draft best practices, approximately 6 specific actions – options for how a city can implement the best practice – are being researched and very preliminary drafts have been posted for comment at http://www.minnesotaikes.org/sustainability/sustainability.html These actions and best practices will be changing during the next six months, but comments are welcomed on the version posted by the Minnesota Izaak Walton League. Send comments to philipp.muessig@state.mn.us
–Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Launches Foreclosure Prevention Initiative. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation offers a free tool kit of information to help homeowners and the banking industry avoid unnecessary foreclosures and to stop scams that promise false hope to consumers at risk of losing their homes. The tool kit includes a new brochure entitled, “Is Foreclosure Knocking at Your Door?,” which encourages consumers facing difficulties to contact their mortgage servicers and apply for loan modifications. Go to: http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/loans/prevention/index.html
–Financial Literacy Research Consortium is a research initiative launched by the U.S. Social Security Administration to better inform the public about retirement options. The consortium is made up of research centers at Boston College, the RAND Corporation, and the University of Wisconsin and will develop innovative materials and programs to help Americans plan for a secure retirement. Go to: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/flrc-pr.htm
–THE ASPEN INSTITUTE offers a free publication called Measuring Community Capacity Building: A Workbook in Progress for Rural Communities. The document outlines the steps, defines terms and offers and examples and strategies for measuring capacity building. Go to: http://www.aspeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/content/docs/community%20strategies%20group/MEASURING_COMMUNITY_CAPACTIY_BUILDING.PDF.
–If you’re new to – or have yet to venture into – social media recruitment, you might want to check out CareerBuilder’s recent webinar on the subject (now available on demand here http://insight24.com/clients/insight24/promo/career_builder.html). Not just a clever name, “Social Media Basics for Your Employment Brand,” gives a quick and easy-to-digest overview of what social media is and its value as an employment branding tool. Hosted by Melissa Murray, emerging media consultant for Personified, CareerBuilder’s consulting arm, the webinar also covers such topics as: how companies are using social media to impact their business; how to begin creating a social networking strategy; and various policies and etiquette to follow. There’s even an informative Q&A at the end of the session.
Click to watch the first half of the two-part webinar on demand: http://insight24.com/clients/insight24/promo/career_builder.html Or for a quick sneak peek, check out the 10 steps to getting started with your social media strategy:
10. Dedicate Time and Effort - Whatever you to, keep at it. It takes time to build a following and generate engagement - and even longer to see a return on your business, but in the long run, you will reap the rewards for your efforts.
Source: Career Builder http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/12/11/10-steps-to-getting-started-with-social-media/#more-5983
–Ever wondered how health might be linked to planning, how 20-Minute Neighborhoods could save the world, or what we can learn from the revival of a Gulf Coast town in Mississippi? These are just a handful of topics raised on the Orton Family Foundation’s new blog, Cornerstones. Check it out at: http://www.orton.org/blog
December 16, 2009
DECEMBER 2009 – Volume VII, Number 12
Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek, Ann Treacy, and Jane Leonard
It’s a big pre-holiday issue, so pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and dig in to a good read.
–Across the Field
–Funding
–Meetings-Trainings
–Opportunities
–Miscellaneous
Across the Field – The season of preparation
- by Jane Leonard
What are you doing to prepare for the holiday season and the New Year? I pulled out my mother’s flute and had it reconditioned several months ago so I could start to practice again for the first time in two years. The motivation was playing Christmas music with my niece at our family gathering. It’s been hard to practice between all the other things going on, but I have found it to be a great way to clear the cobwebs, take deep breaths, and just hear the music.
My wish for you this holiday season is that you find your music, too, and enjoy and share it with others.
Rural Urban Connections project has public launch in January, 2010.
The week of January 10, the team here at Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc. will be starting in earnest on the first phase of the Rural Urban Connections project – collecting your stories, examples, and reflections on the rural urban connections, collaborations and partnerships in your lives and work.
Why Rural Urban Connections? Minnesota has always been a place where our economy depends on rural urban interdependency – the interconnections of urban and rural people, ideas, places, resources, and enterprises. We don’t always view it that way because we’ve become so accustomed to the perception of rural –urban differences and separation. Rural urban interdependency is what has fueled our economy and community building from before statehood to the present day, from the ox-cart days of trading between Hudson Bay and St. Paul, to the rural wheat that anchored the world-class urban milling industry in Minneapolis, to the rural iron ore that powered our country through two world wars and 20th century industrial and urban development, and more.
Rural Urban Connections are critical for our future, with opportunities for innovation and wealth creation in locally available and renewable energy and food systems that create new and emerging enterprises and jobs, alongside a steady, sustainable and reliable framework of other key natural resources (water and wind, for example), lifelong education, health care, transportation and telecommunications and more.
We are setting up a series of weekly videoconferences and webinars across the state, from January through May, to gather your stories and interest, culminating in a statewide gathering in early June, to form a Rural Urban Partnering Council. The Council would provide a way for people and organizations to more intentionally share ideas and support for existing and emerging connections and partnering that could ultimately lead to increased innovation and wealth creation in Minnesota.
Check out our project website at http://rurb.wordpress.com after January 1 to see the videoconference schedule and locations. If you can’t attend the videoconferences, add your two cents via the webinars, project blog, Twitter (http://twitter.com/rurbmn) and other social media platforms to record your ideas, comments, suggestions on this evolving project.
Statehood license plates still available; funds go to restore the Capitol Building
Finally, on a personal note, it’s been nearly a year since I completed my stint as Executive Director of the Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission. The work we began continues through several channels, including the statehood commemoration license plate program. You can still buy special Sesquicentennial License Plates to commemorate Minnesota’s 150 years of statehood, with a portion of the plate fee going to help restore the Capitol Building.
Visit http://www.preservethecapitol.com to learn more about the need for and the work on the Capitol restoration.
The license plates are available at all deputy registrar offices until 2011. Cost is $35 plus an $8.50 filing fee. http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/index.html
Even though I have been in our State Capitol Building many times, I am still moved by its beauty and solemnity each time I enter. After 100 years of duty, it is falling apart. You can help fix it and show your Minnesota pride every day, like I do, by purchasing a commemorative license plate.
FUNDING
–The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology announced the creation of the Beacon Community Program, which will provide $235 million in grants for HIT incentive payments to eligible providers. Letters of intent are due on or before January 8 and applications are due February 1, 2010. Award decisions are anticipated in March and programs will last for a 36-month period.
Cooperative agreements will be awarded to 15 qualified nonprofit organizations or government entities representing diverse geographic areas, including rural and underserved communities. Eligible entities must be a U.S.-based, nonprofit organization or a government entity falling into one of the following five categories:
For purposes of this cooperative agreement, stakeholders include, but are not limited to, primary care providers (PCPs), practicing clinicians, hospitals, public and private payers, consumers, local and state public health departments, safety net providers, employers, academic institutions, charitable foundations, industry, laboratories, pharmacies, employers, quality improvement organizations, hospital associations, government entities, and medical societies. Proof of nonprofit status is required for all nonprofit applicants. Complete information is online at http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt.
–NEW PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT for the Native American New Enterprise Program, which will be able to bring opportunities for independent business success to the Midwest region. This program provides a path for developing a business and an opportunity for funds to develop the business, whether the business is just beginning or it has been operating for a few years. The best part of the program is, it is completely free to all Tribal Members in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming. This program is a partnership with the Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) and the Bold Thinking Institute.
Until May 2010, this program will be openly available and participants can sign up at anytime between now and May 2010. In addition to the educational resources, as the participants set and reach their goals, they may also have access to up to $10,000 in funds to help them grow their business. The goal is to support entrepreneurship on and off reservations through online, one-on-one mentoring along with formalized online learning modules and milestone achievements. Participants will also have the opportunity to speak and work directly with business coaches. Any questions about this program should be directed to info@boldthinking.com. Below are three links to a general program description, an announcement flyer, and a link an information page.
–2010 Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) program of the EPA. Deadline for applications is: January 8, 2010. 40 awards are available in the amount of $25,000 each, with 1-4 grants awarded in each EPA Region. The EJSG program supports communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships to help them understand and address environmental and public health issues in their communities. To see the projects funded in the last cycle, go to: http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/publications/ej/grants/ej-smgrants-recipients-2009.pdf. The Request for Applications can be downloaded at: http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/publications/ej/grants/rfa-small-grant-2010.pdf.
Pre-application conference calls will be held on December 17 (see p. 21 of the Request for Applications for times and how to RSVP).
–AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Planning Grants application deadline is January 26, 2010. These grants go directly to Tribes and Tribal organizations to assist with developing an AmeriCorps program that will be eligible to compete for a grant in the next AmeriCorps program grant cycle. The NOFA is available at: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/09_0818_nofa_acplanning.pdf.
–USDA Rural Development’s Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program is making $400 million available under the Recovery Act for refinancing Section 502 Direct and Guaranteed Loan Program borrowers. For more information, see Federal Register, 11/2/09, at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26269.pdf.
–Community Development Transportation Lending Services (CTAA) applications accepted on an ongoing basis. This funding provides loans of $2,000 to $2,000,000 to support transit services in rural areas. For an application, visit: http://www.raconline.org/pdf/TransportationApp.pdf.
–Rural Development Leadership Network accepts applications accepted on an ongoing basis. The Rural Development Leadership Network assists community leaders to strengthen their practical skills, knowledge and credentials while remaining involved in their community development work. For more information, visit: http://www.ruraldevelopment.org/studycom.html.
MEETINGS /TRAININGS
– The Nonprofit Fundraising and Economic Outlook will be held next Friday, December 18 from 9-11 a.m. at North Central States Regional Council in St. Paul. This free briefing will take a look at the factors affecting your organization, and what nonprofit are experiencing and can expect for the year ahead. The Nonprofit Fundraising and Economic Outlook speakers will illuminate information from two reports to be release that day – the 2009 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report, a new 4th Quarter Current Conditions survey report of nonprofit fundraising, as well as from the state’s November Economic Forecast to provide a comprehensive look at what boards and managers can expect from the coming year. As part of the presentation, participants will take part in a town hall meeting-style conversation about budget and personnel actions organizations are taking now, and alternative strategies.
Speakers:
For additional information contact Christine Durand at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits at 651-757-3082 or cdurand@mncn.org
–Registration for the 2010 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference – is open! Conference dates are January 26–27, 2010 at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd. The theme this year is “Achieving Success in the ‘New Normal’“- speakers and topics provide tools for responding to current market trends. Watch your mail for the conference brochure or click here for a complete schedule. Registration rates reflect the shorter schedule that you requested: “Early registration” is $169, and second (and all subsequent) attendee rate is only $149. Online registration is preferred – a link to registration and hotel information is here.
–The Home Grown Economy 2010 – Equipping You to Build Community Based Food Systems, will be held at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, on February 15th and 16th. Interactive Video Sessions will be held on Tuesday, February 16th at the following campuses: University of Minnesota, Crookston – University of Minnesota, Morris – Bemidji State University and Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls. Watch for further details at: http://collinpeterson.house.gov
–Northeast Entrepreneur Fund will host a two-day Northland Flavor Marketplace in Duluth at the Holiday Inn Conference Center: Sunday, March 7, noon – 4:00 p.m. and Monday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Northland Flavor Marketplace will allow regional artists to display their products to potential retail buyers such as gift shops, bookstores, floral shops, restaurants, jewelers, and similar outlets. To apply for the Northland Flavor Marketplace event, or to register for one or more of the preparatory sessions, go to www.entrepreneurfund.org/northlandflavor . For more information on Northland Flavor, contact Suzanne Semborski, NEF Special Projects Manager, suzannes@entrepreneurfund.org or call 218-623-5729.
–Save the Date! –The 2010 Nonprofit Technology and Communications Conference will be taking place on Wednesday, March 24 in Minneapolis.
–Save the Date! 2010 Minnesota Campus Compact’s Summit and Awards Luncheon will be Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center featured speaker will be Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page.
Minnesota Campus Compact’s 2010 Summit will convene higher education leaders from across Minnesota to celebrate powerful campus-community partnerships that produce positive results for students and for communities throughout the state – and to explore opportunities for developing even deeper partnerships, more engaged institutions and citizens, and a more just, democratic, and sustainable world.
–Save the Date for the Minnesota Rural Health Conference June 28-29, 2010. Help to plan the conference. Contact Karen Welle at karen.welle@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3865.
OPPORTUNITIES
–The State Policy Fellowship Program seeks highly-qualified candidates to serve two years as entry-level analysts. Fellows will work in a state policy organization belonging to the SFAI network, such as the Minnesota Budget Project, or at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C. Fellows will gain hands-on education and experience while working alongside experts in state policy to analyze the impact of state budget and tax policy choices on low-income residents and promote positive reforms. The program offers a competitive salary with health benefits and features professional development opportunities.
To expand the diversity of voices that speak with authority in state policy debates, the program seeks highly qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds who recently received a graduate degree in public policy, public affairs, economics, social work, public health, law, or a related field, and have an interest in state fiscal policies affecting low- and moderate-income households. Completed applications must be submitted online by January 15, 2010. Find more information or apply.
MISCELLANEOUS
–AMBER WAVES, December 2009, Vol. 7, Issue 4. Amber Waves presents the broad scope of ERS’s research and analysis. The magazine covers the economics of agriculture, food and nutrition, the food industry, trade, rural America, and farm-related environmental topics. Available on the internet and in print, Amber Waves is issued in print four times a year (March, June, September, and December). The internet edition, or “eZine,” includes links to web- only resources, such as podcasts and additional articles. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/
–Food Insecurity up in Recessionary Times. The recent economic downturn has brought a sharp increase in the number of Americans who report having difficulty meeting their food needs. In fact, in 2008, the number and percentage of U.S. households classified as “food insecure” reached the highest level recorded since Federal monitoring of food insecurity began in 1995. USDA’s food and nutrition assistance programs provide additional resources in times of rising food insecurity. In fiscal 2008, combined expenditures for all USDA food and nutrition assistance programs totaled $60.6 billion, an increase of 10 percent over expenditures in 2007. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Features/FoodInsecurity.htm
–Science, Technology, and Prospects for Growth. Recent increases in inflation-adjusted crop prices have sparked renewed interest in the potential for continued increases in crop yields, particularly since increases in crop yields could affect food security, bioenergy production, and the Nation’s response to global climate change. Although market forces and biological factors influence corn yields, research investments have been the driving force behind increasing corn yields in the past. Continued scientific advances could accelerate the rate of growth in corn yields, but achieving a nationwide yield of 300 bushels per acre by 2030 would require a tripling of the projected growth rate, and would be historically unprecedented. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Features/USCornYields.htm
–Global Economic Crisis Threatens Food Security in Lover Income Countries. Import capacity is expected to decline in many lower income countries due to the global economic downturn, with potential food security implications. Based on an ERS study, the number of food-insecure people in 70 developing countries was estimated to increase 2 percent in 2009. The highest growth in food insecurity is likely to be in Sub-Saharan Africa because domestic agricultural production is assumed to revert to average levels following above-average production in 2008 and remain the most vulnerable region through the next decade. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Features/GlobalEconomic.htm
–Removal of Government Controls Opens Peanut and Tobacco Sectors to Market Forces. Farm legislation in the early 2000s eliminated longstanding supply controls and geographic restrictions on the production of peanuts and tobacco. Adjustments to the new environment occurred rapidly as many producers decided to quit growing peanuts and tobacco, and a substantial number of producers quit farming entirely. While farm numbers declined at a different rate for peanuts and tobacco, the ensuing consolidation produced fewer, but larger, farms for each crop that are more efficient and responsive to market developments. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Features/PeanutTobacco.htm
–Debt Landscape for U.S. Farms has Shifted. Farm business debt levels have risen noticeably over the past decade, reaching a record $240 billion in 2008. But the value of farm assets has grown even faster, increasing the wealth of farm operators. Nonetheless, recent declines in farm income and falling land prices have raised concerns about the financial position of U.S. farms that rely heavily of debt. In 1986, nearly 60 percent of farms used debt financing. By the end of 2007, farm debt was more concentrated in fewer, larger farm businesses, with only 31 percent of farms owing debt. And while the unused debt repayment capacity of farm operators is much lower than it was during the 1980’s farm financial crisis, larger farms are more likely to use a high share of their debt capacity. As a result, while the farm sector as a whole is in sound financial shape, some segments of the sector could be over-extended if incomes and land prices continue to fall. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Features/DebtLandscape.htm
–Income Volatility is Rising, with Mixed Effects on Nutrition Assistance Participation. Income volatility has increased over the last four decades, with the greatest increase among those with the lowest incomes. The interaction of income volatility and program design has important implications for eligibility and participation in food and nutrition assistance programs, with some families not applying when eligible and others leaving while still eligible. In recent years, the effects of income volatility were eased when major nutrition assistance programs extended the periods for which households receive benefits. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Features/IncomeVolatility.htm
–Ethanol and a Changing Agricultural Landscape. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 established specific targets for the production of biofuel in the United States. Until advanced technologies become commercially viable, meeting these targets will increase demand for traditional agricultural commodities used to produce ethanol, resulting in land-use, production, and price changes throughout the farm sector. This report summarizes the estimated effects of meeting the EISA targets for 2015 on regional agricultural production and the environment. Meeting EISA targets for ethanol production is estimated to expand U.S. cropped acreage by nearly 5 million acres by 2015, an increase of 1.6 percent over what would otherwise be expected. Much of the growth comes from corn acreage, which increases by 3.5 percent over baseline projections. Water quality and soil carbon will also be affected, in some cases by greater percentages than suggested by changes in the amount of cropped land. The economic and environmental implications of displacing a portion of cornethanol production with ethanol produced from crop residues are also estimated. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR86/
–The Debt Finance Landscape for U.S. Farming and Farm Businesses. Income and wealth for farm businesses have changed noticeably this decade. Debt levels have been rising, asset levels have outpaced debt despite a recent fall in land prices, and equity has more than doubled for farm businesses. However, recent declines in farm income and falling land prices have raised concerns about the financial position of U.S. farms. Total farm sector debt reached a record $240 billion in 2008, a $26-billion increase over 2007. Debt is expected to decline to $234 billion in 2009. The distribution of debt among farm operators has also been changing. In 1986, nearly 60 percent of farms used debt financing. By 2007, the number had dropped to 31 percent. In essence, farm debt has become more concentrated in fewer, larger farm businesses. Lenders and farm operators indicate that real estate accounts for the largest use of farm debt. Debt repayment capacity utilization (DRCU) of farm operators has dropped since the 1980s. DRCU dropped from 27 percent in 2000 to 22 percent in 2007. Larger farms are more likely to use more of their debt capacity. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AIS87/
–The Consumer Data and Information Program: Sowing the seeds of Research. Changes in the American public’s food consumption and purchases in recent decades, together with advances in medical knowledge of dietary effects on health, have heightened awareness of the importance of understanding what people eat and where and why they eat it. Most U.S. consumers have diets that do not meet dietary guidelines’ recommendations, and rates of obesity and overweight are rising for all consumers. American food markets are dynamic in offering new products and retail outlets to consumers, changing the food choices available. At the same time, food firms have been challenged by food safety recalls, adverse consumer reactions to new technologies, and increasing mandates for nutritional quality and information. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AP/AP041
–The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released the fall 2009 edition of Community Developments focusing on bank strategies to mitigate the impacts of foreclosed properties on communities across the country. This issue of Community Developments highlights the emerging work of innovative community partnerships and the tools and resources available to help them return foreclosed properties to the productive housing stock. It describes multiple strategies for managing and renewing real estate owned properties held by national banks and other lenders, including donations, discounted sales, and property rehabilitation. It also describes how federal funds are being used to stabilize neighborhoods nationwide. In some cases, the community stabilization efforts of national banks can also receive positive CRA consideration. Community Developments can be accessed on the OCC’s Web site at: http://www.occ.gov/cdd/CD_News_fall_2009.pdf.
–Over the course of the recent recession, rural economies have held up better than their metro peers, thanks to strong rural economic gains early in the downturn. The long-term health of rural American in the twenty-first century will rest on developing policies that focus on amenity-based development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the article "Prospects for a Rural Recovery" at:
http://www.kansascityfed.org/regionalaffairs/mainstreet/mainstmain.htm?ealert=MFG1125.
--The Enduring Challenge of Concentrated Poverty in America: Case Studies from Communities Across the U.S. is a report resulting from a joint project of the Federal Reserve System and the Brookings Institution. The document contributes to an understanding of the dynamics of poor people living in poor communities, and the policies that will be needed to bring both into the economic mainstream. For the report, visit: http://www.frbsf.org/cpreport/docs/cp_fullreport.pdf.
–Community Development Resource Guide. The Center for Rural Affairs has published a resource document for accessing funding for community projects. To get the guide go to: http://www.cfra.org/files/Community-Development-Resource-Guide.pdf.
–Rural Poverty Rate Increasing Faster Than in Metropolitan Areas. In the past five years the level of poverty in rural America has increased at a rate five times that of the poverty increase in metropolitan areas. Since 2003 the rural poverty rate jumped by 17 percent, while the metropolitan poverty rate climbed by about 3 percent. The increase in rural poverty since 2003 reverses a trend from the 1990s when the gap between rural and metropolitan poverty rates decreased. To read the story, go to: http://www.dailyyonder.com/poverty-rate-jumps-rural-america/2009/11/23/2466.
–Rural Amenities. The rural outdoors has become a major asset for rural communities—and a key advantage that some rural areas have over urban areas. The rural outdoors can be enhanced through the construction of recreation facilities, but undeveloped rural landscapes have their own special appeal, both for recreation and as attractive places to live. This briefing room looks at the appeal of rural landscapes, the importance of forest landscape preferences, and the role of scenic amenities across the rural-urban continuum. To read this article, visit: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/RuralAmenities/.
–Identifying Avenues to Build Community Strength is in the November issue of the Center for Rural Affairs’ newsletter. The article offers seven activities to help community leaders create a better future for rural communities that create opportunities for rural people. To see the article go to: http://www.cfra.org/node/2361.
–The DatelinERS newsletter offers concise summaries of USDA ERS reports and events at www.ers.usda.gov/News/.
–Rural and Urban Children Lack Health Insurance More Often than Suburban Children. Analysis of new Census Bureau data underscores the need to consider health reform’s impact on children. A new brief from Marybeth J. Mattingly and Michelle L. Stransky at the Carsey Institute takes a closer look at the geographic distribution of health insurance for children. Based on recent data from the 2008 American Community Survey, the analysis shows that one in ten children are still uninsured and that insurance rates vary considerably by geographic area. In fourteen states, rural children are least likely to be insured. In another eight states, rural and urban children are insured at about the same rate, significantly lower than suburban children. Further, the data also shows rural children are least likely to be covered by private insurance and most likely to depend on public plans for their health care. Go to: http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publications/IB-Mattingly-HeathInsuranceChild-09.pdf
November 17, 2009
NOVEMBER 2009 – Volume VII, Number 11
Compiled and edited by Deb Miller Slipek, Ann Treacy & Jane Leonard
–Across the Field
–Funding
–Meetings/Trainings
–Opportunities
–Miscellaneous
ACROSS THE FIELD – Tis the season: Be strategic and compassionate. Give to the Max! by Jane Leonard
A new day dawns in Minnesota today, November 17 — Give to the Max Day. Give online at www.GiveMN.org.
Here at Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc. we’re taking a different twist on this special day. We’re not asking you to donate to us. We’re a policy development shop and community/economic improvement organizer. Yes we could always use more financial support. But today we’re asking you think about the organizations that are trying to help the neediest of our fellow citizens in this incredibly difficult time of economic challenges. Today, help those most in need.
Be strategic and compassionate about where you do donate, and do try to donate today because on November 17 donations will be matched. (And if you are reading this after November 17, still give if you can.)
For Give to the Max Day, the Saint Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation and Bush Foundation have committed $500,000 in matching contributions to support community needs in Minnesota and to cover transaction fees so that 100% of all donations go to the nonprofit organizations.
According to the GiveMN.org website description, every donation made during Give to the Max Day will receive a portion of the $500,000 match. Any individual may donate. Donations through the GiveMN.org site to nonprofit organizations are tax deductible and irrevocable (donations will not be refunded.) Only contributions to Minnesota-based nonprofits through the GiveMN.org site will be matched.
You can give anytime, any other day, so keep that in mind as you make your year-end giving decisions. But today, November 17, your donation through GiveMN.org will go a little further with the generous match from Minnesota’s philanthropic community.
Give your ideas and experiences: Rurb.Mn is underway
And finally, please give us your input on your own experiences and ideas for rural urban connections, via www.rurb.mn, which is the online platform (still under construction) for our new project on rural urban partnering & connections.
Rurb.MN is a state of mind, heart, and action that we are all in this together – rural, urban and suburban people, places, and organizations — helping each other and Minnesota thrive. Say it fast enough several times over (without the “dot”) and rurb.mn becomes an interesting way to express the melding of rural, suburban, and urban together.
We are making good headway getting things set up for the next 18 months of this project, with your input being the first phase, through email, and other social media, videoconferences and face-to-face meetings over the next few months, then a statewide gathering in June 2010 to share what we’ve learned and to organize a Minnesota Rural Urban Partnering Council to keep the momentum going.
If you would like to be a part of this project and/or be on the project contact list, email me at jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org, and/or leave a comment on the blog at www.rurb.mn.
FUNDING
–Minnesota Loan Forgiveness Programs for health professionals http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/loans/index.html applications are due December 1. Contact Amy Vallery at amy.vallery@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3870 for more information.
–Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/index.html#rural pre-applications are due December 14. Contact Doug Benson at doug.benson@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3842.
–The Minnesota Department of Health is offering mini grants of $2,000 or less to help clinics improve their ability to be patient-centered health care homes. The purpose of these mini-grants is to assist clinics in implementing patient-family-centered involvement in clinic re-design and to assist clinics in implementing health care home standards.
Applications are due December 15.
The expectation is that the projects will be implemented between December 2009 and May 2010. The Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is administering the grants on behalf of MDH. For a copy of the application, go to http://www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/homes/index.html.
MEETINGS /TRAININGS
–The Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Minnesota Humanities Center will host listening sessions to obtain public input for a 10-year plan and 25-year framework for the use of funds made available through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) on November 17, 2009, in the Twin Cities and November 18, 2009, in Marshall. All sessions will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. An online survey will also be available at www.ACHFMinnesota.org. The results of this collaborative planning process will be reported to the legislature by January 15, 2010.
–Blandin Foundation’s 2009 Broadband Conference will be held Wednesday, November 18 – Thursday, November 19, 2009 in Duluth. The theme of this year’s conference is: Realizing Our Broadband Future: Getting from Here to There. It will focus on the future of Minnesota communities, providing community leaders with the information and tools they need to position their communities in the future. Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Duluth MN Cost: $105. For more information and to register, click here. http://broadband.blandinfoundation.org/events/events-detail.php?intResourceID=988
–SW/WC Volunteer Connections will be hosting the following professional development event with speakers on December 7th: “A Time to be Bold: Engaging Volunteers in a Shifting Environment” presented by Mary Quirk. If you have any questions or would like to R.S.V.P., please contact Deb Mortenson at (320) 235-0850, ext. 1114 or at debm@heartlandcaa.org.
–2010 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference – “Achieving Success in the ‘New Normal’” will be held January 26-27, 2010 at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd. For more information go to: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/2010-explore-minnesota-tourism-conference/ or contact Gayle Junnila at 651 757-1852 or gayle.junnila@state.mn.us
–The Home Grown Economy 2010 – Equipping You to Build Community Based Food Systems, will be held at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, on February 15th and 16th. Interactive Video Sessions will be held on Tuesday, February 16th at the following campuses: University of Minnesota, Crookston – University of Minnesota, Morris – Bemidji State University and Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls. Watch for further details at: http://collinpeterson.house.gov
–Northeast Entrepreneur Fund will host a two-day Northland Flavor Marketplace in Duluth at the Holiday Inn Conference Center:
Sunday, March 7, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Northland Flavor Marketplace will allow regional artists to display their products to potential retail buyers such as gift shops, bookstores, floral shops, restaurants, jewelers, and similar outlets. To apply for the Northland Flavor Marketplace event, or to register for one or more of the preparatory sessions, go to: http://www.entrepreneurfund.org/nlfmp.htm. For more information on Northland Flavor, contact Suzanne Semborski, NEF Special Projects Manager, suzannes@entrepreneurfund.org or call 218-623-5729.
–Save the Date for the 2010 Nonprofit Technology and Communications Conference on Wednesday, March 24 in Minneapolis.
–Save the Date! 2010 Minnesota Campus Compact’s Summit and Awards Luncheon will be Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center featured speaker will be Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page.
Minnesota Campus Compact’s 2010 Summit will convene higher education leaders from across Minnesota to celebrate powerful campus-community partnerships that produce positive results for students and for communities throughout the state – and to explore opportunities for developing even deeper partnerships, more engaged institutions and citizens, and a more just, democratic, and sustainable world.
–Save the Date for the Minnesota Rural Health Conference http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/conf/index.html June 28-29, 2010. Help to plan the conference: Contact Karen Welle at karen.welle@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3865.
OPPORTUNITIES
–Funds Available for Students – Two $1,000 awards are available to full-time students interested in connecting their experiences in the classroom and in the community. Fill out a brief application http://www.servicebook.org by November 30th, 2009 to be considered for one of two Carter Academic Service Entrepreneur awards given to Minnesota college and university students. The awards support innovative service learning projects that feature strong partnerships between students, faculty, and community partners. To learn more, visit mncampuscompact.org.
–The 2010 Nonprofit Technology and Communications Conference will be taking place on Wednesday, March 24 in Minneapolis. The planners are seeking proposals and ideas for breakout sessions…if you would like to submit a breakout session proposal or if you have a great idea for a breakout session for the 2010 Nonprofit Technology and Communications Conference, they’d like to hear from you! Submitting a breakout session proposal or idea is easy – you can view the details and instructions at: www.mncn.org/nptech/rfp.htm. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, December 2, 2010 at 5 p.m.
–New Careers in Nursing http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20905 scholarship applications due December 15.
– ORHPC needs Rural Hospital Capital Improvement grant reviewers in January. Contact Doug Benson at doug.benson@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3842 or Cindy LaMere at cindy.lamere@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3852.
–Minority Nurse Scholarship Program http://www.minoritynurse.com/scholarships/apply-2010-minority-nurse-scholarship-program applications due February 1.
MISCELLANEOUS
–RURAL AMENITIES – The rural outdoors has become a major asset for rural communities—and a key advantage that some rural areas have over urban areas. The rural outdoors can be enhanced through the construction of recreation facilities, but undeveloped rural landscapes have appeal on their own, both for recreation and as attractive places to live. This briefing room looks at the appeal of rural landscapes, the importance of forest landscape preferences, and the role of scenic amenities across the rural-urban continuum. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/RuralAmenities/
–USDA Launches ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ Initiative to Connect Consumers with Local Producers to Create New Economic Opportunities for Communities. The initiative hopes to begin a national conversation to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. Americans are invited to join the discussion and share their ideas for ways to support local agriculture. USDA will engage in this conversation which can be viewed at USDA’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/usda . Producers and consumers can comment on the ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ YouTube playlist, as well as submit videos or provide comments on this initiative by e-mailing KnowYourFarmer@usda.gov.
Editors’ Note: If you have items of news, announcements, etc., for the next MRP Rural Round-Up (scheduled to go to press on Tuesday. Dec 15), please send them to jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org.
Jane Leonard
President
Minnesota Rural Partners
1533 Grantham St.
St. Paul, MN 55108
USA
phone (651) -303-5263
jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org
www.minnesotaruralpartners.org
October 21, 2009
OCTOBER 2009 – Volume VII, Number 10
Complied and edited by Deb Miller Slipek, Ann Treacy, and Jane Leonard
–Across the Field
–Funding
–Meetings/Trainings
–Opportunities
–Miscellaneous
Across the Field: Rural-Urban Partnering — a State of Mind, Hearts, and Action – We are All in This Together! by Jane Leonard
We received word late last month that Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc. (MRP, Inc.) will host a national pilot project with USDA Rural Development Rural Business-Cooperative Service to document and leverage the power of rural-urban connections and resource sharing to improve wealth creation opportunities. The work builds on years of efforts that MRP, Inc. has organized in resource coordination and sharing, rural entrepreneurship development, and community informatics across Minnesota.
The current project begins with engaging people and ideas to create a Minnesota Rural Urban Partnering framework (that framework being the people, places and organizations that care about and support rural – urban interdependence).
We will take those initial stories and do a more detailed online inventory and mapping of the partnering already occurring to show its strength, breadth and depth, and the economic, demographic and cultural factors at work, and spotlight opportunities for other helpful connections and partnering.
The initiative to intentionally support rural urban partnering would be an evolution from the original state rural development council function hosted by MRP starting in the mid 1990s. Our aim with more focused rural–urban coordination and resource sharing is to spur innovation and wealth creation in a host of development arenas. It would also build a solid foundation of urban allies for rural policy development and advocacy and vice-versa.
We need your help! We are collecting rural-urban partnering examples, stories, partners and interested people and organizations later this fall and winter through a series of online gatherings, culminating in a statewide face-to-face gathering, probably in June 2010. We’ll send out a schedule, invites and instructions on how to use the several methods of social media we’ll be using online in the early stages of the project. But if you have ideas right now that you are bursting to share – send them to me at jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org.
Parallel to the mapping track will be efforts to document and analyze the ways that Minnesotans currently coordinate education and workforce development pathways across rural-urban lines. And we’ll lift up for national viewing one of the more well-known ways rural and urban people connect in Minnesota, through local farm – local/regional food networks that help increase access to healthy food and balanced meals for children and adults alike, supporting healthful lifestyle choices.
The pilot project runs from this fall to April 2011.
In Minnesota in the early 21st century, as it is in many states across the nation, rural and urban lines continue to blur — spatially, culturally, and economically. Instead of continuing to treat these interdependent places, people, and economies as separate entities, we believe more can be gained – socially and economically – by intentionally building a rural-urban partnering framework that supports existing partnerships and spurs many more new connections, coordination, and collaboration for the benefit of all.
If you want to join and/or support this effort, please contact jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org or Jane at 651-303-5263.
FUNDING
–American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA): Communities Putting Prevention to Work. Deadline: 10/30/09. Grants are available for community-based prevention and wellness strategies that support specific, measurable health outcomes to reduce chronic disease rates. For more information, go to: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=9TphKzwSqSZSBdlLP9xQGJzplRnSGTR3Gmh4WNDQZzCnGW7b3T72!-1017983794?oppId=49571&mode=VIEW .
–For information on ARRA Funds, see http://www.recovery.gov/ and http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/arra/recovery-program.htm .
–Health Careers Promotion Grant – Applications will be available November 2 and due November 30. Contact Lorry Colaizy at lawrence.colaizy@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3851 for more information. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/index.html#health
–Assisted Living Conversion Program For Eligible Multifamily Housing Projects. HUD has made $20 million available in grants to eligible multifamily housing developments specified in the RFP, for conversion to assisted living facilities. The deadline is November 5, 2009. For more information, go to: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=cM91KpXQnvcPlqN9Z1Qyppmp9K7fLYmJgQK5XQjL0fhN34q01Gcg!361947375?oppId=49301&mode=VIEW
– Applications are now being accepted for the new Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These grants help local governments acquire, develop, restore and maintain parks and trails of regional or statewide significance. Funding comes from the Parks and Trails Fund, created by the Minnesota Legislature from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The overall program is called the Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program which consists of the Regional Park Legacy, Regional Trail Legacy and Solar Energy Legacy Grant Programs. More information and applications for these grant programs is available at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/recreation/index.html . The application deadline is November 13, 2009.
–Regional Trauma Advisory Committee Planning/Implementation Grant applications are due November 30. Contact Tim Held at tim.held@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3868 for more information. http://www.health.state.mn.us/traumasystem/rtac/rtacfactsheet.html
–Minnesota Loan Forgiveness Programs for health professionals applications are due December 1. Contact Amy Vallery at amy.vallery@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3870 for more information. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/loans/index.html
–Rural Veterinarian Loan Forgiveness Program . Contact Amy Vallery at amy.vallery@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3870 for more information. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/loans/vet.html
MEETINGS /TRAININGS
–Foreclosure Response Podcast Series by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Through interviews with experts on various facets of foreclosure—from neighborhood impacts, to loan modifications, to new response strategies—listeners will be engaged in understanding problems and advancing solutions. Each week, since September 24, 2009 and continuing for 10 weeks, a new interview will be released. To listen to the interviews visit: http://www.frbatlanta.org/rss/ForeclosureResp.cfm.
Podcast I: Land Banking as a Foreclosure Mitigation Strategy with Frank Alexander, Professor of Law at Emory Law School. The first interview in the series looks at land banking. The current economic and mortgage crisis has caused the number of foreclosures to swell, destabilizing neighborhoods by leaving them dotted with vacant and sometimes abandoned homes. Frank Alexander, Professor of Law at Emory Law School, discusses the issues and opportunities that land banking represents for stabilizing communities across the country.
Up next: Visit the series Web site next week for the second podcast installment with Kristopher Gerardi, an economist in the Research Division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, who will be talking about loan modifications.
–The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Leadership Institute is an opportunity to grow your leadership skills and learn to create change. The Institute is designed by and for nonprofit leaders. The nine-month intensive experience will provide you the space and structure to step back and think about the issues facing nonprofits today. It will also enhance your skills to make you a better leader in your organization, the nonprofit sector and your community. Want to know more? MCN will be offering free informational sessions around the state that will also highlight scholarship opportunities for the Leadership Institute. Please RSVP online by logging in and selecting “RSVP for Free Events, Briefings and Convenings”. http://www.mncn.org/leadershipinstitute/infosessions.htm
Marshall, October 22, 11 a.m.-noon
Hutchinson, October 23, 2-3 p.m.
Rochester, October 27, 11 a.m.- noon
Brainerd, October 28, 11 a.m.- noon
St. Cloud, October 28, 3-4 p.m.
Duluth, November 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Grand Rapids, November 11, 3-4 p.m.
St. Paul, November 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Webinar, December 10, 3-4 p.m.
Webinar, January 13, 1-2 p.m.
For more information contact Bao Vang, Program Coordinator, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
at 651-757-3087 or bao@mncn.org
–SW/WC Volunteer Connections will be hosting on December 7th: “A Time to be Bold: Engaging Volunteers in a Shifting Environment” presented by Mary Quirk. If you have any questions or would like to R.S.V.P., please contact Deb Mortenson at (320) 235-0850, ext. 1114 or at debm@heartlandcaa.org.
–Telling a Story with Social Media webinar will be Tuesday, November 3, 8-9:30AM with presenter Ann Treacy of Treacy Information Services. Everyone has a story to tell, whether you’re recruiting people or businesses to your region, selling a product or preparing a presentation on future of broadband in rural areas. Social media tools such as YouTube and podcasts can help you establish your story, social networks such as Facebook or LinkedIn help you spread the word and ongoing blogs or Twitter can help maintain the story. We’ll talk about how to tell your story with social media. For more information and to register, click here: http://broadband.blandinfoundation.org/events/events-detail.php?intResourceID=991
– Twin Cities Media Alliance Fall Forum: Networking And The New Media Landscape: Reporting News, Building Community, Making Money http://tinyurl.com/yfxo3uv. This participatory forum offers journalists, bloggers and news consumers the opportunity to make connections and share best practices for news reporting, building audiences, and raising revenue. It will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, Saturday November 7, Minneapolis Central Library. Check out the web site for Twitter hashtags and other ways to follow the conference from afar.
–Blandin Foundation’s 2009 Broadband Conference will be November 18-9, 2009 in Duluth. The theme of this year’s conference is: “Realizing Our Broadband Future: Getting from Here to There.” Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Duluth MN (http://www.hiduluth.com/) Cost: $105. For more information and to register, click here. http://broadband.blandinfoundation.org/events/events-detail.php?intResourceID=988
–Save the Date for the Minnesota Rural Health Conference June 28-29, 2010. Help to plan the conference: Contact Karen Welle at karen.welle@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3865. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/conf/index.html
OPPORTUNITIES
–The Initiative Foundation is currently looking for four communities to take part in their next Healthy Community Partnerships (HCP) program. This program provides a community team with a combination of leadership training, grant funds, technical assistance and resource referral as they work to make their community a better place. HCP is open to communities that have never participated or graduates whose core group went through the training at least five years ago. To learn more about the program you can:
read the press release, http://www.ifound.org/docs/files/News_HCPRecruitment8.31.09.pdf
visit our website, http://www.ifound.org/community_health.php
download the fact sheet http://www.ifound.org/docs/files/HCP_FactSheet.pdf
Or contact Dan Frank, Program Manager for Community Development at 320-632-9255, dfrank@ifound.org
–Health Policy Fellow applications due November 13. http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20904
–New Careers in Nursing scholarship applications due December 15. http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20905
–Minority Nurse Scholarship Program applications due February 1. http://www.minoritynurse.com/scholarships/apply-2010-minority-nurse-scholarship-program
MISCELLANEOUS
–USDA Launches ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ Initiative to Connect Consumers with Local Producers to Create New Economic Opportunities for Communities. The initiative hopes to begin a national conversation to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. Americans are invited to join the discussion and share their ideas for ways to support local agriculture. USDA will engage in this conversation which can be viewed at USDA’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/usda . Producers and consumers can comment on the ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ YouTube playlist, as well as submit videos or provide comments on this initiative by e-mailing KnowYourFarmer@usda.gov.
–The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued a waiver recently, revising their property flipping regulations for properties purchased with Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds. FHA is waiving, for one year, Section 203.37a(b)(2) of the FHA regulations, 24 CFR, with regard to sales of foreclosed or abandoned properties acquired and resold by for-profit and non-profit entities using NSP funding and performed under NSP agreements. This section provided that a mortgage secured by a property would not be eligible for insurance by FHA if the contract of sale was executed by the prospective borrower within 90 days of the previous acquisition of the property by the seller. For a copy of the waiver, go to: http://www.treia.com/clubportal/images/clubimages/999/PROPERTY%20FLIPPING%20WAIVER%20REQUEST.pdf .
–Strength Matters is a new collaborative that brings together three national networks of nonprofit owners and developers in the affordable housing field — Housing Partnership Network (HPN), NeighborWorks America and Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) — to advance the strength, productivity and profitability of their member organizations and to communicate the best practices of these owners and developers to the private, public, and philanthropic sectors. On the website: (http://www.strengthmatters.net ) there is a recording of an introductory Webinar that was hosted by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the Webinar can be downloaded from the website, as well as other documents like CFO Best Practice papers.
–CFED released the 2009-2010 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard – CFED’s research on wealth, poverty and the financial security of American families – in September. The Scorecard uses the latest data to assess the 50 states and the District of Columbia on 92 outcome and policy measures which describe how well residents are faring and what states can do to help residents build and protect assets. For more information, go to: http://www.cfed.org/focus.m?parentid=31&siteid=2471&id=2471 .
–The September 2009 issue of Leadership Guide features an article on The Four Elements of a Sustainable Organization by Don Tebbe, Executive Vice President, TransitionGuides. The article is an excerpt from a paper entitled “Building a Sustainable Organization”. To read the paper, go to: http://www.transitionguides.com/newsltr/Featured%20Articles.htm and click on the link for September 2009.
–A Compass for Understanding and Using American Community Survey (ACS) Data: What Users of Data for Rural Areas Need to Know is a guide for those who use rural social, economic, and housing data from the Census Bureau. ACS will provide updated data that will replace some of the information previously provided in the decennial Census. To get a copy, go to http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/ACSRuralAreaHandbook.pdf .
– Your Money Counts.com is a comprehensive online learning resource that helps people understand finances and make informed financial choices. This online guide to financial and credit education provides people with interactive calculators, information on current money issues, in-depth information on specific money topics, financial education booklets, and quizzes to test their financial knowledge. Go to: http://www.yourmoneycounts.com/ymc/home?WT.svl=901
–Mayo Clinic offers perspective on health care reform in the New England Journal of Medicine. http://healthcarereform.nejm.org/?p=1890&query=home
–Healthy Communities-Healthy People: A series examining care in rural America. Go to: http://files.cfra.org/pdf/Healthy-Communities-Healthy-People.pdf
–Shortage of Health Care Workforce Hits Rural America Hard in September Center for Rural Affairs newsletter. Go to: http://www.cfra.org/taxonomy/term/1533
–Suicide Prevention online, one-to-one “chat service” for veterans. The veterans tab is on the left-hand side of the site. Go to: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
–Tobacco Control in Rural America. This July 2009 publication highlights tobacco-related disparities facing rural areas and examines the unique challenges to tobacco control and prevention efforts in these areas. It also includes examples of promising interventions implemented by some of our grantees to demonstrate how organizations are addressing the issue of tobacco use in rural communities. Go to: http://www.americanlegacy.org/PDF/Tobacco_Control_in_Rural_America.pdf
–Homegrown Responses to Economic Uncertainty in Rural America - Discusses how rural communities can approach economic development by looking inward to community strengths and existing resources. Go to: http://ruralsociology.org/StaticContent/Publications/Ruralrealities/pubs/RuralRealities3-2.pdf
–Local Community Action Agency Directory - A directory of local community action agencies (CAAs) developed by VirtualCAP.org that provides contact information by either state or agency name. Go to: http://www.virtualcap.org/caalisting.cfm
If you have items for inclusion in the next Rural Round-Up, please send them to jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org.
September 17, 2009
Here’s the news on the latest Freeman Forum…
FREEMAN LECTURE – GREAT CONVERSATIONS
Featuring U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, J. Brian Atwood, Dean, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Allen Levine, Dean, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Feeding the World: At Home and Abroad
Monday, October 5 | 7:30 p.m.
Ted Mann Concert Hall
As the head of the United States Department of Agriculture, Secretary Vilsack oversees a $134 billion portfolio that includes leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development.
Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about food aid and international development, obesity and nutrition, food security, farm and foreign trade policy, and a host of other topics related to the USDA’s mission.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. (Limit of four per person.)
Please bring a non-perishable food item to help those in need.
This event is part of The Ultimate Homecoming.
September 16, 2009
SEPTEMBER 2009 – Volume VII, Number 9
Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek, Ann Treacy, and Jane Leonard
–ACROSS THE FIELD
–FUNDING
–MEETINGS/TRAING
–OPPORTUNITIES
–MISCELLANEOUS
ACROSS THE FIELD – Thank You Communities! Thank You Minnesota State Fair!
By Jane Leonard
We don’t say thank you enough. We don’t share good ideas often enough. We did both at the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” – the 2009 Minnesota State Fair — which hosted and sponsored the 25th Anniversary Community Pride Showcase on September 6.
Over 20 Minnesota communities, large and small, from across the state, took home top honors and over $15,000 in cash awards courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair. (For photos and list of winners and project descriptions, see http://www.reinventingminnesota.org/mn_pride.html).
The contest was co-sponsored by the Minnesota State Fair, MinnPost.com, the Blandin Foundation, and Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc., who worked together to organize the summer-long competition and the State Fair event as part of the Reinventing Minnesota initiative, to lift up innovations across the state that help Minnesota thrive.
“Connecting, creating, thriving” is the tagline of Reinventing Minnesota. It’s a way to think and act, to turn the current economic challenges into opportunities that encourage people to connect and share good ideas and resources to move us into a thriving future for all. It builds on Minnesota’s history of inventiveness, innovation and compassion to recognize the goodwill and good actions that communities, neighborhoods and organizations across our state are doing right now to help one another.
The purpose for the Community Pride contest first and foremost was to find a way to share the great ideas Minnesotans have for improving their communities in the midst of a challenging economic environment. So much good is happening in Minnesota’s communities that if shared, can help others across our state and country. The citizens and the projects honored at the State Fair embody the spirit of the Reinventing Minnesota initiative and the Community Pride competition.
That’s why the State Fair was the perfect venue to showcase the Minnesota Community Pride communities. Where else do all Minnesotans gather to see what improvements have been made since last year? The State Fair mission is to “educate and involve guests by providing a world-class showcase that is innovative, entertaining and fun.”
Many of the stories written about the State Fair revolve around what’s “new on a stick,” but the Fair roots go deeper than that, to 150 years of lifting up “Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry” to “present an unparalleled forum for knowledge and ideas” that now includes community improvement knowledge and ideas.
Thank you, Minnesota State Fair, for showcasing Minnesota Community Pride at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. We love you – we really do.
FUNDING
– The CHS Foundation is committed to investing in the future of rural America, agriculture, and cooperative business through education and leadership development. The Foundation supports national efforts related to its mission as well as programs within the CHS trade territory for regional, multi-state, or statewide projects. The Foundation’s funding focuses on the following program areas: Cooperative Education, Rural Youth and Leadership Development, Farm and Agricultural Safety, Returning Value to Rural Communities, and University Partnerships. All applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with the exception of Cooperative Education applications, which are due September 30, annually. Visit the Foundation’s website for a description of each grant category and online application instruction at: http://www.chsfoundation.org/
–There is an October 1 grant deadline for communities, schools, and organizations for the following arts grants. Please note that the funds for these organizational programs are only for eligible applicants in Region 7E.
Art In Our Schools Grants- Schools may apply for up to $1,000 for special art projects sponsored by the School District. The grant funds can support artist residencies, arts related field trips, or any arts focused special project. Each school district is allowed up to two Art In Our School grants per school year.
Small Grants – Grants of up to $500 are currently available for smaller arts projects for organizations. Types of projects funded in the past under the Small Grant programs have been a visual art, theatrical, musical, dance, spoken word and literary art. There is a required 1 to 1 dollar match for these grants.
To immediately access the grant applications go to: http://www.ecrdc.org/ECAC_apps_2010.htm or contact Mary Minnick-Daniels, Director East Central Regional Arts Council at: mary.minnick-daniels@ecrdc.org or 320-679-4065 ext. 30.
– The Laura Jane Musser Fund’s Rural Initiative Program encourages collaborative efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions. This program supports projects in rural regions of Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and Wyoming that target a number of civic areas including economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. The applicant community must have a population of 10,000 or fewer and must be able to demonstrate the rural characteristics of its location. Planning grants of up to $5,000 and implementation grants of up to $25,000 are provided. The application deadline is October 15, 2009. Visit the Laura Jane Musser Fund’s website for application guidelines and forms at: http://www.musserfund.org/rural.php
–Building Healthy Communities Fund. Next Deadline: December 15, 2009. Grants from the Home Depot Foundation are awarded up to $2500 for community improvement projects that include construction or refurbishment of affordable or transitional housing, building, rebuilding, painting, refurbishing, increasing energy efficiency or sustainability, landscaping, planting of native trees, community facility improvements, and the development and/or improvement of green spaces. Grants must support work completed by community volunteers in the United States. For more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/mug82r
–Community Relief Fund. Kresge Foundation is offering 24- to 36-month, interest-free program-related investment fund offering bridge loans to high-performance non-profit organizations so that they may be better able to meet the ever-increasing demand for their services. For more information, go to http://www.kresge.org/index.php/what/community_relief_fund/
–Grants.gov offered a series of Webinars on accessing grants available through the Recovery Act (ARRA). You can hear recordings of the events on their website at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/recovery_webinar.jsp.
For information on ARRA Funds, go to: http://www.recovery.gov/.
–Instrument Donations for Music Programs Nationwide – The mission of the Fender Music Foundation, formerly the Guitar Center Music Foundation, is to support nonprofit music programs across America that offer instruction so that more people can experience the joys of making music. The Foundation accepts grant applications from music academies, schools, local music programs, and national music programs throughout the country that teach people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. Almost all of the grants provided are comprised of traditional instruments and the equipment necessary to play them. Online applications may be submitted at any time and are reviewed three times per year. Visit the Foundation’s website to access program guidelines and the online grant application form at: http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/
MEETINGS /TRAININGS
–“Resilient Leaders – Resilient Organizations” will be held Tuesday, September 22, 2009 from 8:30AM – 4:00PM at the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls. Resilient Leaders – Resilient Organizations http://www.ifound.org/docs/files/HOP_Resliient%20Leaders_Aug09.pdf is a convening of nonprofit leaders who seek ways of increasing their organization’s health and resiliency during an extended economic downturn. The day will include lively activity and networking and will conclude with a preview of capacity building resources available. The goal is for you to leave ready to take action based on an increased understanding of how you can use capacity building resources to improve the health and resilience of your organization and partnerships. Who can attend? All area nonprofit organizations are welcome. Each organization is encouraged to have staff and board leadership represented (up to 3 people total).
If you are unable to attend on September 22nd in Little Falls, this convening will also be held on September 21st in Redwood Falls, (Note: at the workshop registration link you’ll see reference to follow-up capacity-building grants through the Resilient Organizations Fund – this particular funding is available only to current Blue Cross Blue Shield grantees. Other capacity-building assistance is available directly through the Initiative Foundation – http://www.ifound.org/effective_healthy.php). No cost for attendance, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required ASAP at: http://www.resilientnonprofits.org/announcing-the-convenings/. For more information, email BCBSFoundationConvenings@mapfornonprofits.org.
–14th Annual Minnesota Development Conference – Opportunity in Crisis: Reality, Reinvent, Revitalize will be held October 1-2 at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. For further information go to: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/events/DevConf.htm
–Federal Issues Briefing comes to Bemidji on Tuesday, October 6, 8:30 – 11 a.m. at the Beltrami Electric Community Meeting Room, 4111 Technology Drive NW, Bemidji. >From health care reform to climate change, from economic stimulus to tax and budget policy, Congress has a full agenda this year. The decisions made by our Minnesota Congressional delegation and their colleagues on Capitol Hill will affect all Americans for years to come. Join us for a Federal Issues Briefing: A look at what’s happening in Congress & how it will affect our clients and our communities, where we will take a closer look at what the 111th Congress is doing on these and other issues. Fee: Free, but advance registration is required. Register online now - by logging in (password assistance available) and selecting “RSVP for Free Events, Briefings and Convenings.” https://online.mncn.org/mcnssa/ssaauthmain.login_page
–Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops in Your Region. The workshops are an opportunity to learn together with others in your region to develop new ways of promoting the great arts and cultural activities in each community. Dates and locations are: Two Harbors – October 1, 2009; Saint Paul – October 5, 2009; New Ulm – October 14, 2009 and Paynesville – November 9, 2009. To register and get more details on session topics and speakers go to: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/side1/events-conferences/cultural-heritage-tourism-workshops/
–Register now for the nation’s largest convening of nonprofits and foundations - right here in Minnesota. At the Minnesota Council of No http://tinyurl.com/nvzp9d nonprofits/Minnesota Council on Foundations Joint Annual Conference, you’ll be able to rub shoulders with national leaders, award winning nonprofits and experts from across the field. Transforming Our Work: From Challenging Times to Hopeful Futures will be November 5 & 6, 2009 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. To learn more and to register, visit the Transforming Our Work website or Register Online at: http://tinyurl.com/mja6ty
OPPORTUNITIES
–The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) is inviting proposals for the spring 2010 semester for three of it’s Community Based research programs: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR), Community Assistantship Program (CAP) and Communiversity (CMV).
CURA Community Based Research Programs provide applied research assistance to community-based groups located outside of the Twin Cities area, neighborhood groups within the metro area, and other nonprofit agencies and groups. This research is administered by three separate programs: the Community Assistantship Program, which works with groups in greater Minnesota; Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization, which works with neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and first-ring suburbs; and Communiversity, which works with nonprofit organizations, particularly those serving communities of color. These community research projects typically place students in part-time research assistantships for one semester or over the summer. Students are selected by and report to the community organization. Organizations define and direct their research projects.
The goals of these programs are to:
1) Enhance the capacity of community-based groups in Minnesota to meet their goals by giving them an opportunity to accomplish relevant applied research;
2) Provide students and faculty with useful community-based applied research and learning opportunities.
Applications should come directly from community organizations. The deadline for project proposals is October 30th, 2009. Approved projects will run from January 14th, 2010 to May 30th, 2010. Please follow the link below to find out more or to apply on-line. http://www.cura.umn.edu/Programs/ApplicationProcess.php or contact Jeff Corn, CURA Community Program Coordinator, (612) 625-0744
MISCELLANEOUS
–RURAL AMERICA AT A GLANCE, 2009 Edition – Update of an annual series, the 2009 edition of Rural America At A Glance deals with effects of the major recession on rural America. Initially, effects of the recession were mitigated in nonmetro areas by high commodity prices throughout much of 2008, but as the recession deepened, prices fell. Both nonmetro and metro areas experienced rising unemployment as manufacturing and other major employment sectors contracted, and they were similarly affected by the mortgage foreclosure crisis. However, even before the current recession, nonmetro poverty rates had risen in the growth years after the 2001 recession, against the usual trend during a time of economic expansion; the nonmetro poverty rate has exceeded the national poverty rate since 2001. The nonmetro population continued to grow in 2007 and 2008, but at less than half the rate of the metro population. Nonmetro growth is largely due to a rise in births, offsetting a decline in net migration from metro to nonmetro areas. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB59/
–Broadband Internet’s Value for Rural America - As broadband—or high-speed—Internet use has spread, Internet applications requiring high transmission speeds have become an integral part of the “Information Economy,” raising concerns about those who lack broadband access. This report analyzes (1) rural broadband use by consumers, the community-at-large, and businesses; (2) rural broadband availability; and (3) broadband’s social and economic effects on rural areas. It also summarizes results from an ERS-sponsored workshop on rural broadband use, and other ERS-commissioned studies. In general, rural communities have less broadband Internet use than metro communities, with differing degrees of broadband availability across rural communities. Rural communities that had greater broadband Internet access had greater economic growth, which conforms to supplemental research on the benefits that rural businesses, consumers, and communities ascribe to broadband Internet use. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR78/
–Rural Digital Economy – This Briefing Room offers a synthesis of ERS research about the rural digital economy, including the provision of telephone and Internet services, where these services are used, and their role in economic development. This Briefing Room also explores rural Internet access, the characteristics of Internet users and their means of access, and government communication and information policy. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/Telecom/
–Baby Boom Migration and Its Impact on Rural America – Members of the baby boom cohort, now 45-63 years old, are approaching a period in their lives when moves to rural and small-town destinations increase. An analysis of age-specific, net migration during the 1990s reveals extensive shifts in migration patterns as Americans move through different life-cycle stages. Assuming similar age patterns of migration, this report identifies the types of nonmetropolitan counties that are likely to experience the greatest surge in baby boom migration during 2000-20 and projects the likely impact on the size and distribution of retirement-age populations in destination counties. The analysis finds a significant increase in the propensity to migrate to nonmetro counties as people reach their fifties and sixties and projects a shift in migration among boomers toward more isolated settings, especially those with high natural and urban amenities and lower housing costs. If baby boomers follow past migration patterns, the nonmetro population age 55-75 will increase by 30 percent between now and 2020. Go to: http://wwwers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR79/
–Full Throttle U.S. Ethanol Expansion Faces Challenges – Constraints to future growth of the ethanol industry will present challenges to meeting the ambitious mandates for expanded biofuel use set forth in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Challenges exist on both the supply and demand sides of the market. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September09/Features/EthanolExpansion.htm
–Broadband Internet Service Helping Create a Rural Digital Economy – Broadband—high speed Internet—is less commonly used in rural than urban settings due to higher provision costs and more limited availability in rural areas. Rural counties with broadband Internet service in 2000 had greater subsequent employment and income growth than similar rural counties without service. Rural citizens, businesses, and communities credit broadband Internet use with providing social and economic benefits. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September09/Features/Broadband.htm
–Taking the Pulse of Rural Health Care - Rural households have higher rates of mortality, disability, and chronic disease than urban households, after taking into account the different age distributions of the two populations. Rural households have less access than urban households to affordable, nearby, high-quality health care. Adoption of new health information technologies, promoted by a $19 billion allocation in the 2009 economic stimulus package, holds promise for improving coordination among geographically dispersed health care providers. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September09/Features/RuralHealth.htm
–Baby Boom Migration Tilts toward Rural America – The size and direction of migration patterns vary considerably by age, and baby boomers are migrating to rural destinations. If baby boomers follow migration patterns similar to their predecessors, the rural population age 55-75 will increase by 30 percent between 2010 and 2020. Local economic development strategies aimed at attracting more jobs will likely have little effect on the migration decisions of baby boomers searching for a better quality of life. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September09/Features/BabyBoom.htm
–AMBER WAVES Amber Waves presents the broad scope of ERS’s research and analysis. The magazine covers the economics of agriculture, food and nutrition, the food industry, trade, rural America, and farm-related environmental topics. Available on the internet and in print, Amber Waves is issued in print four times a year (March, June, September, and December). The internet edition, or “eZine,” includes links to web- only resources, such as podcasts and additional articles. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September09/
–Health Status and Health Care Access of Farm and Rural Populations - Rural residents have higher rates of age-adjusted mortality, disability, and chronic disease than their urban counterparts, though mortality and disability rates vary more by region than by metro status. Contributing negatively to the health status of rural residents are their lower socioeconomic status, higher incidence of both smoking and obesity, and lower levels of physical activity. Contributing negatively to the health status of farmers are the high risks from workplace hazards, which also affect other members of farm families who live on the premises and often share in the work; contributing positively are farmers’ higher socioeconomic status, lower incidence of smoking, and more active lifestyle. Both farm and rural populations experience lower access to health care along the dimensions of affordability, proximity, and quality, compared with their nonfarm and urban counterparts. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB57/
-- "Coming Home to Rural America: Demographic Shifts in the Tenth District" is now on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s website. This article examines whether rural areas should focus more on the recent trend of middle-aged families coming home to rural America. Go to: http://www.KansasCityFed.org/Publicat/Econrev/ermain.htm?ealert=ER0831
–USDA Launches New Website for Obama Administration’s Rural Tour
http://www.raconline.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=11930 The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a new website designed to enhance discussions and facilitate innovation for issues facing rural America as part of the Obama Administration’s Rural Tour. Go to: www.RuralTour.gov
--The recent recession has wounded the livestock industry. In the latest issue of the Main Street Economist, economists explore the industry's recent performance and prospects for a rebound. Go to: http://www.kansascityfed.org/pubaffrs/pressrel/prmain.htm?ealert=PR0911
August 20, 2009
Vote for the Minnesota Community Pride winners; Celebrate all Minnesota communities, September 6 at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota Community Pride? You decide! Vote for the finalists in the 25th Anniversary Minnesota Community Pride competition via the online ballot at MinnPost.com between August 19 to 26, with winners announced at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair. The contest is co-sponsored by the Minnesota State Fair, MinnPost, The Blandin Foundation, and Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc.
“The Community Pride contest attracted community entries from across Minnesota, representing cities and neighborhoods, large and small, all generously sharing their stories of connecting, creating, and thriving through the current economic challenges,” said Jane Leonard, president of Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc, one of the competition organizers. Online voting offers a chance for all Minnesotans to help determine top entries in several community improvement categories.
“Connecting, creating, thriving” is the tagline of Reinventing Minnesota, the initiative behind the contest. “It’s a way to think and act, to turn the current economic challenges into opportunities that encourage people to connect and share good ideas and resources to move us into a thriving future for all,” said Leonard. “It builds on Minnesota’s history of inventiveness, innovation and compassion to recognize the goodwill and good actions that communities, neighborhoods and organizations across our state are doing right now to help one another.”
The Community Pride competition lifts up and publicly recognizes the energy and ingenuity of Minnesota’s communities in both overall community and economic development achievement, and innovations in specific disciplines, such as education, broadband deployment and application, health care, entrepreneurship support, arts & culture, community design, housing and natural resources/environment.
Finalist communities were determined by a panel of judges reviewing the entries received earlier this summer. Winners will be selected by the public vote online via MinnPost.com. All communities will be recognized and winners announced at the Minnesota Community Pride Showcase, September 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the State Fair’s Carousel Park stage and exhibit tent.
To help celebrate this first-time event at the Fair, singer-songwriter Charlie McGuire will share his special brand of grassroots music. Minnpost will be conducting Minnesota Trivia contests and public affairs interviews with Minnesota newsmakers to highlight both our affection for and ideas and concerns across the state. Community participants will showcase their projects in the exhibit tent.
The Minnesota State Fair is providing cash awards, recognition plaques, and ribbons to winners and participants. The awards ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m. on the Carousel Park stage.
“The State Fair has always been a place and time for Minnesotans to gather together to showcase, recognize and share creative ideas and innovations. It’s the perfect venue to spotlight communities that are helping our state be the best we can be,” explained Leonard.
You can learn more about the finalist projects and vote for your favorites at http://www.reinventingminnesota.org/mn_pride.html. Check out this and other State Fair events at www.mnstatefair.org. And join us at the Great Minnesota Get-Together on September 6!
Finalists for Minnesota Community Pride online voting:
▪ Baudette (Lake of the Woods County)
▪ Caledonia (Houston County)
▪ Detroit Lakes (Becker County)
▪ East Grand Forks (Polk County)
▪ Glencoe (McLeod County)
▪ Hoffman (Grant County)
▪ Lake City (Wabasha and Goodhue Counties)
▪ Lanesboro ( Fillmore County)
▪ Madelia (Watonwan County)
▪ Mankato (Blue Earth County)
▪ Maynard (Chippewa County)
▪ Minneapolis’ Neighborhood Revitalization Program (Hennepin County)
▪ Sebeka (Wadena County)
▪ St. Louis Park (Hennepin County)
▪ Staples (Todd County)
▪ Willmar Design Center (Kandiyohi County)
August 12, 2009
ACROSS THE FIELD – Health Care Reform: Get the facts straight & think it thru. What do we need to do to be the best country in the world? By Jane Leonard.
A mild anxiety has been creeping into our lives lately. It’s frustration over the health care reform efforts, which in the heat and humidity of August have melted into embarrassing displays of rude, unproductive behavior at town meetings for the entire world to see.
Most people agree something has to change. The current system is broken, inequitable and not up to the job of keeping America ready for 21st century challenges and opportunities.
Health care reform is such a big change that it becomes open ground for every doomsayer and fear-monger. I am still waiting for one of those fear-mongers to tell me what their solution is. It’s easy and headline-grabbing to bash the ideas of their opponents. It is much harder to think through the proposals and make educated and helpful efforts towards improvements.
But that is what we must do – gets the facts and think it through. If we do not act to improve our current system, we will continue to see declines in the health and well-being of our society. We will continue to weaken the ability of our citizens, businesses, communities, states, and country to compete economically, educationally, and socially with the rest of the world.
Just imagine if obtaining affordable health care was not a worry anymore for anyone in this country. Just imagine the cost savings because people would get the preventative care they need. Just imagine the entrepreneurial and creative energy (and wealth creation) that would be unleashed because “losing my health insurance” wasn’t a risk factor for starting a new business or endeavor.
Get informed and think it thru. Here’s an interactive side-by-side comparison of major health care reform proposals, on the Kaiser Family Foundation site. It includes proposals that have been formally introduced as legislation as well as those that have been offered as principles or in White Paper form. And here’s a quick primer from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/health/policy/10facts.html?em
25th Anniversary Minnesota Community Pride Competition Showcase at the Minnesota State Fair September 6
Join your fellow Minnesotans at the Minnesota Community Pride Competition Showcase, Sunday, September 6, at the Minnesota State Fair, Carousel Park stage and exhibit tent, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Over 30 communities and neighborhoods from across the state are competing for cash awards from the Minnesota State Fair.
At the showcase, all communities that entered the competition earlier this summer will be recognized for their community improvement projects, including comprehensive community and economic development, health care, arts & culture, entrepreneurship, natural resources and the environment, green energy, housing, and broadband initiatives.
The program includes several Minnesota Trivia contests, public affairs interviews by MinnPost.com journalists with Minnesota newsmakers, Charlie Maguire’s musical entertainment, and the finale at 12:30 p.m — the Awards Ceremony. The event is co-sponsored by the Minnesota State Fair, MinnPost.com, Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc., and the Blandin Foundation.
FUNDING
–Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) – Funds for the Program are provided to MN DEED from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for the benefit of eligible non-entitlement local units of government (cities, counties, townships) through a competitive application process for a variety of community development needs. The SCDP Fact Sheet provides a detailed description of the program and how it can help your community. Completed Pre/Short Form Applications are due Thursday, September 3, 2009. For more information go to: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/SCDP/
– Minnesota Tourism Grants – Organizational Partnership Grant, Innovative Marketing Grant and Scenic Byway Grant guidelines for 2010 grants are now available. These three programs are offered to assist communities in attracting travelers to Minnesota. Information on the programs and guidelines for each type of grant are posted on the Industry Web Site at: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/grants.
If you are a Minnesota non-profit tourism or scenic byway organization and want further information about guidelines contact your Regional Manager:
–Central – Carol Altepeter 888-629-6466 or David Bergman 888-563-7777
–Metro – Gayle Junnila 800-757-1852
–Northwest – Carol Altepeter 888-629-6466 or David Bergman 888-563-7777
–Northeast – Tim Campbell 888-876-6784
–Southern – Dave Vogel 888-975-6766
OR call Explore Minnesota Tourism at 800-657-3637; 651-757-1848
–Applications for Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grants are due September 14. Applications and information are online or contact Doug Benson at doug.benson@state.mn.us of (651) 201-3842
–Water/Wastewater Funding Programs (Applications accepted throughout year)
USDA Rural Development provides a number of community facility and water/wastewater funding programs for eligible applicants including public bodies, non-profits, and Indian Tribes in rural Minnesota. If you have a project in mind, we encourage you to file an application at your local USDA Rural Development office to begin the application process.
Rural Development accepts applications for these programs at any time and is asking all rural communities, non-profits and Indian tribes with potential projects to get in touch with their local Rural Development office for more information. For further information on these funding programs, please visit the Minnesota Rural Development web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn. Once you are at the web site, click on the community programs banner for information on water/wastewater or community facilities programs. You can also learn about opportunities for housing and business programs at this site.
– The Laura Jane Musser Fund’s Rural Initiative Program encourages collaborative efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions. This program supports projects in rural regions of Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and Wyoming that target a number of civic areas including economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. The applicant community must have a population of 10,000 or fewer and must be able to demonstrate the rural characteristics of its location. Planning grants of up to $5,000 and implementation grants of up to $25,000 are provided. http://www.musserfund.org/rural.php Deadline: October 15, 2009
– Funding opportunities available at the Women’s Foundation. If you are a nonprofit group, program or project that serves women and/or girls in Minnesota, here are funds available for grants with upcoming deadlines:
–Social Change Fund (http://www.wfmn.org/grantmaking/2009SCFRFP.shtml) – October 1, 2009
–girlsBEST (http://www.wfmn.org/grantmaking/2009_girlsBEST_RFP.shtml) – October 15, 2009
MEETINGS /TRAININGS
–The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is continuing its summer road-trip – the theme of the tour is “Advancing Economic Prosperity: Partnering to Shape Our Future.” Three-hour-long sessions include Commissioner Dan McElroy’s overview of the economy, what happened in this year’s legislative session, and how federal stimulus dollars will be spent in Minnesota. Breakout sessions focus on some of the tools that DEED offers for business and community development and how the agency is preparing for the future in terms of job growth, economic development and workforce innovations. There is time for questions and answers, and a resource fair featuring representatives from state and federal agencies. Local officials, economic and workforce development leaders, educators, business leaders, legislators and the media are encouraged to attend. Registration begins 30 minutes before each event.
People who plan to attend a session are asked to send an e-mail to Mary Schneider at mary.schneider@state.mn.us . They should include their name, organization and the location of the session that they plan to attend.
Details about the road show are also available at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com . The remaining sessions are:
Duluth, Thursday, Aug. 13, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Griggs Center
1049 University Drive
St. Cloud, Monday, Aug. 17, 1 to 4 p.m.
St. Cloud Public Library
1300 W. St. Germain St.
Fergus Falls, Thursday, Aug. 20, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Legacy Hall
1414 College Way
Brainerd, Thursday, Aug. 27, 1 to 4 p.m.
Central Lakes College
501 W. College Drive
–Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops – regional workshops on how to develop partnerships around cultural heritage tourism. Get some good ideas and network with others in your community and region. Staff and volunteers from community arts organizations, art studios/galleries, history museums, heritage festivals, lodging businesses, visitor’s bureaus, chambers of commerce and other tourism marketing organizations should attend. Go to www.ontend.com to learn more. There will also be Regional Panels on the “Success Stories” of partnerships between arts/culture/heritage and tourism organizations that are bringing larger audiences and increased business to their community.
Thief River Falls: Thursday Aug 13 at Best Western Hotel from 10:00am – 4:30pm
Two Harbors: Thursday Oct 1 at Grand Superior Lodge from 9:00am – 3:30pm
New Ulm: Wednesday Oct 14 at Turner Hall from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Paynesville: Monday, Nov 9 at Bug-Bee Hive Resort from 9:00am – 3:30pm
Registration is $45 if paid one week prior to the workshop; $59 thereafter; Registration includes lunch, break and workshop materials. Register at: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/culture/ -or- print registration form and fax to: 651/296-7095.
– Agritourism Workshops – Would you like to learn what it would take to develop and run an agritourism business? What is the best way to market your agritourism enterprise? What liability, zoning, and management issues do you need to know about? How can others get involved in developing and building agritourism efforts in your community? These questions and more will be explored during two Agritourism Workshops in August. Come and learn from a panel of successful agritourism business owners as they discuss the ins and outs of agritourism. For more information about the workshops, please contact Christy James at christy@rtcinfo.org or by phone at 612-963-0467.
Tuesday, August 18, 11:00 AM – 3:00 pm
The Depot
100 Aldrich Avenue SW
Wadena, MN
Thursday, August 20, 3:30 – 6:00 PM
Old Milan School Building
404 North 4th Street
Milan, MN
–MCN and the Nonprofits Assistance Fund are offering a new training – Planning for and Managing Uncertainty: Practical Financial Management Tools and Strategies. In this two-hour training being held in two more locations across the state, you will work with a budget scenario template and a cash flow projection template. As an additional bonus, you are invited to bring your own financials and stay afterwards with any questions you might have. You can learn more about this event (and many others) at MCN’s Web site: http://www.mncn.org/event_management.htm#FinMgt
Duluth – Wednesday, August 19, 1 – 3 p.m.
This event is co-sponsored with Lake Superior Initiative
Ordean Building, Room B/C
424 West Superior Street, Duluth, 55802
Fees: $25 for MCN Members/$35 for Nonmembers
North Mankato – Thursday, August 20, 1 – 3 p.m.
South Central Service Cooperative Conference Center
2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, 56003
Fees: $25 for MCN Members/$35 for Nonmembers
–”People Protecting Manoomin, Manoomin Protecting People” A Symposium Bridging
Worldviews. August 25-27, 2009 at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center, Mahnomen, MN. Traditional Anishinaabe lifestyles and cultural identity are intimately bound to the manoomin spiritually, physically and economically. Discussion will include ways in which Anishinaabe communities are protecting and sustaining the natural wild rice beds in their lands. In recent years the natural wild rice crops in various Anishinaabe communities have been negatively affected by weather, low water tables, and other natural phenomena. The dialogue could provide a venue to exchange knowledge and promote protective measures. It is also a way to begin a process of consensus to bridge opposing worldviews. Registration is free for tribal community members. Non-Native registration is $110. To register online please go to: http://www.regonline.com/manoomin.
– Free Employer Workshop – Anatomy of an EEO Investigation: De-Mystifying the EEOC Charge and Investigative Process. A rare opportunity to hear directly from an agency insider, Maria E. Flores, Program Manager for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The workshop will be Tuesday August 25th from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Duluth Workforce Center (Government Services Bldg.) in Conference Room A. 320 W 2nd St. Ste 205, Duluth, MN. Please RSVP @ 218-529-622.
Session information includes:
* how charges are filed
* the types of charges EEOC receives
* requests for information and documentation
* onsite investigations
* types of decisions issued
* determining damages/ remedy
* benefits of settlement and mediation
* practical tips on preparing your responses
–14th Annual Minnesota Development Conference – Opportunity in Crisis: Reality, Reinvent, Revitalize will be held October 1-2 at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. For further information go to: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/events/DevConf.htm
–SAVE THE DATE – 6th Annual Native Financial Institution Convening – October 27-30, 2009, Charlotte, NC. Don’t miss this year’s Native Convening at the 2009 OFN Conference, including the Native Gathering pre-conference, Native training track, the presentation of the Native Awards and much more! Learn, share and celebrate with your peers in Native community development finance and opportunity creation. For more information on the conference and to register go to: http://www.opportunityfinance.net/knowledge/conference_resource_center/09/default.aspx?id=4120
–Register now for the nation’s largest convening of nonprofits and foundations - right here in Minnesota. At the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits/Minnesota Council on Foundations Joint Annual Conference, you’ll be able to rub shoulders with national leaders, award winning nonprofits and experts from across the field. Transforming Our Work: From Challenging Times to Hopeful Futures will be November 5 & 6, 2009 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. To learn more and to register, visit the Transforming Our Work website or Register Online at: http://www.transformingourwork.org/?utm_source=MCNemail3&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AC
OPPORTUNITIES
–The EDA (Economic Development Administration)Center’s new “Request for Assistance” for projects beginning in 2010 is now online at www.umcedacenter.org. This Request for Assistance (RFA) is designed to solicit requests from community, county and regional economic development agencies seeking direct technical assistance to support their economic development activities.
The EDA Center does not specifically define the types of assistance that economic development agencies may need. Accordingly, the EDA Center will accept and review all requests for assistance from eligible applicants. However, there are some core competencies of the University that may help guide such requests. These include: market research; technology studies; workforce development studies & support; economic impact analysis; student-supported projects and internships; product development assistance; strategic planning services; statistical studies; technology deployment planning; and support of entrepreneurial program development. Due to the constraints of EDA funding, project time lines should be 1-year or less.
Please remember that eligible applicants must be municipal, county, tribal or regional economic development agencies. Please contact Jack Geller at University of Minnesota, Crookston for more information. Phone: (218) 281-8248. Email: geller@umn.edu. The deadline is August 31, 2009.
–National Arts Strategies (NAS) chose Springboard and the Twin Cities as one of their pilot sites for this new Future Leadership program. Each participant in the Future Leadership event will receive a fellowship covering the full tuition of $500 for the leadership session (that means it’s free!) Acceptance into the program will connect participants to a national network of Future Leadership Fellows, and they will have access to management expertise and advice from National Arts Strategies and the NAS network for a year. NAS describes their target audience:
* Mid-career professionals, with 5-15 years of experience in the field interested in advancing to the next level of leadership, in part, by acquiring additional skills
* Professionals who have just come into a leadership role in a smaller organization and are interested in pursuing additional formalized training
* Professionals working their way up through larger institutions interested in understanding the politics and paths of advancement and in expanding their professional networks/mentors
For more information go to: http://www.springboardforthearts.org/AboutUs/NAS.asp and/or http://www.artstrategies.org/ and/or http://futureleadership.wordpress.com/
–In coordination with the Office of Higher Education, ORHPC will be administering a new one-time loan repayment program for large animal veterinarians who agree to practice in a designated rural underserved area and work full time in a practice that is 50 percent involved with the care of food animals. Program guidance and applications are expected to be available in the fall. For information, contact Deb Jahnke at debra.jahnke@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3845.
MISCELLANEOUS
–An interactive side-by-side comparison of major health care reform proposals is on the Kaiser Family Foundation site. It includes proposals that have been formally introduced as legislation as well as those that have been offered as principles or in White Paper form.
–The new Health Workforce Data and Information Clearinghouse site is online. ORHPC, Health Education Industry Partnership, Minnesota Hospital Association and Rural Health Resource Center assembled the health career education, employment and financial resources; general demographics; and health care professional data.
–Veterans who applied for enrollment in the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system on or after January 1, 2009, and were denied enrollment are being reconsidered. The VA is contacting nearly half a million veterans with no service-connected disability and with incomes above a certain threshold who may now be eligible for medical care. Provider information on TriCare, a component of the Military Health System for members of the military, their dependents and retirees, is on the ORHPC Resources Web site.
–The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has several small business publications available at their websites. Many of these can be downloaded or viewed electronically, and some can also be ordered on book or CD at no cost to you. Topics pertain to state laws and regulations for starting a business, franchising, employer’s guides, industry reports, and much more. Go to: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/publications/
–A steep recession and financial meltdown have led to tight credit markets in rural America. In the latest issue of the Main Street Economist, economist Brian Briggeman explores how credit conditions are evolving for rural business owners, shedding light on current credit markets and providing rural business owners information they can use to identify when credit markets turn. You can find the full article at: http://www.kansascityfed.org/home/subwebnav.cfm?level=3&theID=9825&SubWeb=12
–The U.S. government’s Web site www.mymoney.gov is dedicated to teaching all Americans about financial education. The site provides financial education resources and on-line financial tools and calculators. The site includes the new Money Math: Lessons for Life curriculum designed to teach mathematical concepts using personal finance scenarios. View the curriculum now.
–MyMoneyManagement.net is a unique industry-wide effort to provide consumers with comprehensive financial education resources to help guide their personal finance decision-making. The Web site provides information and encouragement to consumers in financial distress to contact their lenders or a U.S. Department of Justice-certified credit counselor.
–The Financial Services Roundtable’s Housing Policy Council is collaborating with NeighborWorks America, the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, and other lenders to support the 888-995-HOPE hotline and its foreclosure prevention counseling.
– Attention on Rural America This RUPRI article tells how this summer, top Obama Administration officials, including Cabinet Secretaries, will fan out across the nation to hold a series of discussions on how communities, states, and the federal government can work together to strengthen rural America. Go to: http://www.rupri.org/leftsidemore.php?selectedid=24
–HUD GIS Tool for Communities – A free downloadable GIS tool with tutorial for communities that allows users to explore HUD project data as well as design and print custom maps. Go to: http://hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewGIStoolIntro
–Rural Active Living Assessment (RALA) Tools offers the ability to assess the physical environment features and amenities, town characteristics, community programs, and policies that could potentially influence levels of physical activity among residents in rural communities. Go to: http://www.activelivingresearch.org/node/11947
Send us your items for the next Rural Round-Up Newsletter, scheduled to go to press on September 8. You can email items to jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org.
August 12, 2009
Over 30 communities are in the running for several category awards in the 25th anniversary Minnesota Community Pride competition.
Winners will be announced on September 6, 2009, at the Minnesota State Fair, Carousel Park stage, during the Community Pride showcase program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Come and share your community pride and see the great efforts of communities in Minnesota striving to connect, create and thrive right through our economic challenges.
Thanks go to the Minnesota State Fair for sponsoring this awesome event, with cash prizes and awards plaques, and MinnPost.com, which is hosting Minnesota Trivia contests and interviews with Minnesota newsmakers during the MN Community Pride Showcase program.
Singer songwriter Charlie Maguire will be on hand to serenade the crowd and communities with his memorable Minnesota songs.
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