| Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update |
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| Northeast-Midwest Institute Partners with Mayors Automotive Coalition | The Northeast-Midwest Institute has partnered with the Mayors Automotive Coalition (MAC) on an initiative to boost the capacity of local government leaders to foster job creation and revitalize local economies impacted by the loss of auto manufacturers. This project, made possible by the generous support of the Surdna Foundation, will focus on three main goals: building a stronger network of auto community leaders; convening auto communities and key stakeholders for collaboration on revitalization; and producing and disseminating a "Toolkit for Auto Community Revitalization. The result of this initiative will be a lasting coalition of auto communities, the majority of which are located in the Northeast and Midwest, which provides ongoing technical assistance, peer networking, implementation tools, and a national voice that will be critical to these communities becoming self-reliant and empowered to pursue sustainable revitalization.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
| Northeast-Midwest Institute Launches Transportation Policy Project | |
The Northeast-Midwest Institute will advance sustainability and livability in the region's communities through a new project on transportation policy supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. In the 112th Congress, lawmakers will be faced with reauthorizing federal surface transportation legislation, creating important opportunities to improve the federal policy response to community needs as they pursue sustainability and livability objectives. The Northeast-Midwest Institute will provide expert informational support to EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities, coupled with outreach to Members of Congress about sustainability and livability policy options, particularly as they relate to the NEMW region's transportation infrastructure.
For more information please contact Chris Forinash, 202.403.4509 or Colleen Cain, 202.464.4003.
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| Transportation for America Releases Primer on the Federal Transportation Program | Transportation for America, a national transportation policy advocacy group, released "Transportation 101," a primer on the federal transportation program. The report was presented and distributed during a packed briefing on Capitol Hill in the Cannon House Building last week. Some notable panelists spoke at the event, including: Roy Kienitz, Under Secretary for Policy at U.S. DOT; former Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer; and Mayor Patrick Henry Hays of North Little Rock, Arkansas. The panelists opened the briefing with an overview of the federal, state and local roles in transportation policy.
The report and the full T4A press release can be found here.
For more information, contact Christopher Forinash, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
| Green Streets as a Community Revitalization Strategy Webinar | On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, from 12:00-1:45pm CST, Region 5 EPA & DOT will host a webinar: "Green Streets as a Community Revitalization Strategy."
This free webinar will focus on several green streets pilot projects in Lansing, MI; Toledo, OH; and Chicago, IL. From rainwater management strategies to the materials used in the street infrastructure, there are many elements of a street rehabilitation project that can 'go green' to assist with sustainability objectives and neighborhood stabilization.
Webinar speakers will include:
- David Leopold, City of Chicago, IL
- Chad Gamble, City of Lansing, MI
- Dan Christian, Tetra Tech
- Patekka Bannister, City of Toledo, OH
Register at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/968278187 |
| EPA Announces Application Period for 10th Annual Smarth Growth Award | The application period is now open for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 10th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. Through this award, EPA recognizes and supports communities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. Applicants may be public- or private-sector entities, but all applications must include a public-sector partner. The deadline to enter the competition is April 6, 2011. Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in December 2011.
To view the application and complete entry guidelines, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm#2011app
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