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Greetings!
Young people can bring new ideas, fresh perspectives, and youthful enthusiasm to all downtown revitalization efforts. Would you like to learn how to harness this energy in your community? Join DCI for our next Downtown Institute on April 26 in Trinidad, which will feature a session on Designing Colorado's Downtowns with Young Stakeholders. Participants will learn how young stakeholders have made a difference in design processes in many communities, how you can start to engage youth in your downtown revitalization process, and how young leaders can turn their design experience into job skills to help them contribute to their town's revitalization over the long term.
Cheers!  Katherine Correll Executive Director |
Join DCI on May 9 for
"Downtown's Role in the Region"
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In the most recent update to P.U.M.A.'s Global Trends report, a key conclusion was the need for downtowns to play a stronger role in advocacy and regional collaboration. With increasing debt and the resulting trend toward austerity, federal and state governments are retreating from their historical role in financing infrastructure, education and innovation. To remain competitive and connected to the global economy, it is up to cities and regions to work together and invest in the basics that support growth.
Downtown and Main Street organizations are becoming more important in stimulating and leading the regional dialogue for several reasons. First, downtowns are often the economic engines for regions, the hub for jobs, transportation, government, education and health institutions and other economic infrastructure. Secondly, they are becoming more important as magnets to attract young skilled workers as millennial generation college graduates prefer living and working in urban environments. Finally, in an era of declining government resources, downtowns can harness both civic energy and resources through tested public/private partnership approaches. (READ MORE)
Please join us Thursday, May 9 at Colorado Municipal League in a de-briefing on the latest Partnership Symposium, offering inspiration for the road ahead. Click here for details and to register.
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Question of the Month
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DCI is building a clearinghouse of ideas to share to identify best practices and innovative concepts for fostering creativity and growth in our member communities. Those who share will receive the complete list of ideas.
What is one way that your community has been able increase partnerships?
Respondents to this question will be entered to win a complimentary registration to the 2013 Colorado Municipal League Conference! Contest sponsored by DHM Design.
Sample Responses from Last Month:
What is the coolest or most unusual event, gathering, or promotional idea that you have attended, participated in or heard about?
- Stick Horse Show, Lake City, CO: "This event was started more than 25 years ago, an event with all the makings of a horse show: an arena, a grand entry with the Star Spangled Banner, barrels for racing, a chute ... but participants ride stick horses instead of live mounts."
- Blokes Day, Bedford, UK: "This was a Christmas shopping event for guys. They could go to the town centre and work with their choice of about 100 female shop assistants in Blokes Day t-shirts. The assistants helped the guys pick out gifts for wives, girlfriends, family, etc. Whenever they bought something, they got a token for a free beer at one of the local participating pubs!"
- Hog Happenin', Lincolnton, NC: "This was a two-day festival in a small town in North Carolina that brought two "pigs" together: Barbecue and Motorcycles. There was a BBQ cook-off around the court square, and motorcycles lining Main Street with a group ride, motorcycle games, and of course, delicious BBQ!"
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Save the Date for CCI's
Creative Districts Webinar |
April 18, 1-2pm: Finding and Building Your Market
Getting people to your district is all about creating a compelling offer, then determining the best way to tell your story and delivering it. But in order to be most effective, it's important to understand to whom you are trying to deliver your message to (i.e., your target market), how to craft a relevant message for that audience, and which marketing tools are most appropriate to help you meet your goals.
In this third webinar, learn from marketing experts on how to craft a strategic marketing approach and identify your target audience, and which tools -- both traditional and emerging -- are most effective and relevant for getting your district's story out there!
DCI Members receive a discounted registration of $15 for this webinar. The webinar will take place on April 18 from 1-2pm. To register, you must visit the member-only resource library on our website!
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| USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects |
Funding Targets Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses
USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
USDA is accepting the following applications:
- By April 30, 2013: Renewable energy system and energy-efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications
- By July 15, 2013: Renewable energy system and energy-efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications
- By April 30, 2013: Renewable energy system feasibility study grant applications
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DCI is an equal opportunity employer. DCI employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicap, veteran status and marital status. |
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2013 DCI
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Save the Date!
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Jobs & RFPs E-Notice
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Submit all job openings and RFPs by the third Tuesday of the month to ensure your notice will be included.
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| Our Sponsors | |
Thank You to Our Patron, District Partner, and Main Street Supporter Sponsors!
 
 
Interested in DCI sponsorship? Download our sponsorship brochure now! Or contact DCI at 303.282.0625.
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DCI members receive a 30% discount on Constant Contact services if you sign up through DCI! |
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