The Land Policy Institute has released a robust and FREE guidebook: "Placemaking as an Economic Development Tool". The Placemaking Guidebook seeks to assist neighborhoods and communities with quickly reshaping their thinking and acting on how effective placemaking can greatly enhance community and economic development. The tool is a fantastic resource for communities of any size; and particularly valuable to states, regions and localities that are attempting to reshape their communities to be competitive again in the new global economy because of its emphasis on economic aspects of placemaking. The techniques and strategies discussed within can be used to drive improved "sense of place," enhance local quality of life, attract talented workers, and establish an environment for economic competitiveness. It can also assist in the redevelopment of vibrant places where people are drawn to live, work, play, shop, learn and visit. 

Tune in for a rich discussion among three leading-edge practitioners about how their programs promote wealth building, job placement and training, job creation, and increase access to financing and supports for small businesses and social enterprises. These programs respond to the needs of low-income people and people of color, and are making tangible impacts in everyday lives, helping long-marginalized families keep pace with place-based investments in their neighborhoods, and advancing equitable development more broadly in long-marginalized American communities.

Date & Time: July 20, 2016 | 1:30pm - 3:00pm EST

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting proposals for Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants to implement projects to improve or restore coastal habitat to: 1) strengthen the resilience of U.S. marine and coastal ecosystems and decrease the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather and 2) support sustainable fisheries and contribute to the recovery of protected resources. Application Deadline: August 16.

EPA has announced the availability of funding to develop an area-wide plan for brownfields assessment, cleanup, and subsequent reuse. This funding is for research and/or technical assistance activities directed to one or more brownfield site(s) located in a specific area (such as a neighborhood, downtown or business district, local commercial corridor, community waterfront or city blocks). POWER+ communities may be interested in applying for an EPA Brownfields Area Wide Planning grant because a closed or closing coal-fired power plant or related legacy brownfield site(s) is likely to quickly become a large, blighted area with associated displacement of workers. Each project funded under this grant must result in an area-wide plan which includes specific plan implementation strategies for assessing, cleaning up, and reusing the brownfields site(s) as well as related brownfields and project area revitalization strategies. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20 projects in total, funded at up to $200,000 each. Application Deadline: August 10, 2016

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development is currently soliciting applications for the FY2016 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants Program AND the Community Development Block Grants for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Together these programs provide funding for housing, community facilities, economic development and neeighborhood revitalization.

Choice Neighborhoods Application Deadline: Jun 28, 2016

CDBG Application Deadline: Jun 14, 2016

Rome Wasn't built in a day, and neither was a successful ARC grant application. That is why we at CCLR believe the ONLY sure way to increase your chances of success is to START EARLY. Join us for this short and informative webinar designed to give you the tools you need to get ahead of the curve on this year's ARC grants and gain important insight into putting together a solid application. 

This grant program is awarded to support state and local government programs that identify, address, and improve community health in revitalizing Brownfield/Land Reuse sites. Projects must pay particular attention to identifying and addressing health issues prior to redevelopment and assessing changes in community health associated with revitalization. Competitive applications will include collaborations between community organizations that will strengthen the community's ability to consider public health issues in redevelopment.

Application Deadlines: Letter of Intent - 6/3/2016;  Full Application - 7/5/2016

The EPA Brownfields Grants are awarded for the Assessment and Clean Up of Brownfield sites, and the creation of State or Tribal Revolving Loan Fund programs. Collectively these funds will aid under-served and economically disadvantaged communities through the assessment and cleanup of abandoned industrial and commercial properties and expand the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses.  CCLR provided extensive support to many applicants that were awarded funding - Congratulations to ALL!

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is holding a workshop in Phoenix, Arizona to provide cities, towns, nonprofits, and community groups with new ways of understanding, and the tools to improve public health and economic vitality. For more information CLICK HERE.And to register, CLICK HERE.

Time & Date: June 2, 2016 | 8am - 1:30pm

Location: Flinn Foundation, 1802 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ

On April 7 the Jack London Improvement District convened the latest installment of their Panel Talk Series; this evening the subject was how to support and maintain a thriving industrial sector in Jack London. As noted in the SPUR report, A Downtown for Everyone, “Preserving land zoned for industrial uses ensures a diverse supply of jobs downtown. Industrial enterprises in downtown Oakland and adjacent areas benefit from proximity to the Port of Oakland, Northern California’s major port, and are a significant source of middle-wage jobs for workers without a four year degree.” Yet, the challenges to preserving Jack London’s industry are many.