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Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update 
 September 20, 2010
In This Issue
National Great Rivers Research and Education Center Dedication
Senate Infrastructure Bank Hearing
Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference
National Great Rivers Research and Education Center Dedication

The public has been invited to the dedication of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center Confluence (NGRREC) Field Station in Alton, Illinois on October 26.  NGRREC was formed in 2002 to explore important questions about river systems, the environment and their impact on the communities, and to keep the public informed. The new Confluence Field Station will serve to enhance NGRREC'S reputation as a premier river research institution, and will be the first institution of its kind to offer a comprehensive river system research and education program.  For more information about the new, LEED-certified facility and the dedication ceremony, visit here.   More information about NGRREC can be found at www.ngrrec.org.

For more information contact Mark Gorman at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, 202-464-4015.
Senate Panel to Consider Infrastructure Bank
 
Tomorrow, September 21 at 10 a.m. in 528 Dirkson, a Senate panel will convene a hearing about a National Infrastructure Bank.  The hearing comes on the heels of President Obama's Labor Day speech where he stated the importance of investing $50 billion into a National Infrastructure Bank.  In addition, language drafted  last year by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman, James Oberstar to re-authorize surface transportation policies outlines the creation of an infrastructure bank.  
 
The Senate panel will hear testimony from five experts:
Roy Kienitz, undersecretary for policy at the Department of Transportation;
Alan Krueger, assistant secretary for economic policy for the Department of the Treasury;
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell;
Robert Wolf, chairman and CEO of UBS Americas; and
Donald Shubert, president of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association
 
The hearing is related to S. 1926, the National Infrastructure Bank Act , first introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) in 2007.  A companion bill, HR 2521 was introduced in the House by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) in 2009.
 
For more information contact Greg Lewis or Fritz Ohrenschall at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, Oct 13-15, in Cleveland
 
Help your community realize its potential by participating in the Reclaiming Vacant Properties conference!  This year's conference will be held in Cleveland, October 13-15 at the historic Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.

Join hundreds of your peers from communities from the Sunbelt to the Rustbelt, to learn about the policies, tools, and strategies to catalyze long-term, sustainable revitalization. Share your experiences and insights, and become a part of the only national network focused on building the knowledge, leadership, and momentum to reclaim vacant and abandoned properties to foster thriving neighborhoods.
This conference is sponsored by the Center for Community Progress with its principal planning partner, Neighborhood Progress, Inc.
 
For more information visit http://reclaimingvacantproperties.org/.
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