Urban Update 
The monthly newsletter of the UMass Dartmouth
Urban Initiative
September 2013
A new academic year at UMass Dartmouth means lots of new developments at the Urban Initiative: a new graduate research assistant, new collaborations with faculty and their students, and even a new web-based project that builds on our growing portfolio of work on public health issues in the SouthCoast's cities. Be sure to check out our September project update for details!
SouthCoast Indicators
With local election season in full swing, we thought this was a great time to highlight our data on voting in the SouthCoast. Did you know that...
  • turnout in Fall River's last municipal election was 35% of registered voters? 
  • last time New Bedford voters picked a mayor, 37.8% of registered voters cast ballots? 
  • for both cities, turnout for the last federal election was almost double that of the most recent municipal election? 
Learn more about voting in Fall River and New Bedford via our SouthCoast Urban Indicators Project.
From the blog
  • Meet new graduate research assistant, Katya Starostina, who replaces newly minted MPP Jason Hill (now working as a superintendent for The Trustees of Reservations in Central MA). 
  • This link isn't from the blog, but we did want to share the recent Standard Times editorial reflecting on our research related to civic infrastructure. If you haven't read our report, you can do so here
 Upcoming Events

What: Robert's Rules of Order Workshop, developed to familiarize members of the region's nonprofit and municipal boards with the procedures and language that govern meetings
When: Wednesday, October 2, 4:30-6p at UMass Law (333 Faunce Corner Rd. in North Dartmouth)
Cost: Free, but registration (at this link) required

What: New England Bike Walk Summit, a daylong conference featuring sessions on the economic impact of biking/walking, building links to public transit, and funding strategies
When: Friday, October 4 at the Providence Biltmore
Cost: $40 ($20 for students), including lunch and closing reception; register at this link

What: Connecting for Change, a 3-day event sponsored by the Marion Institute to engage a diverse audience in solutions-based conversation around creating positive change in communities
When: October 25-27 in downtown New Bedford
Cost: Varies, and scholarships are available; learn more and register here 


Let us know if you want to see your event listed in this space! 

 Grants

Citizens Bank Growing Communities Initiative - deadline: 9/19 

 Citizens Bank seeks applicants from MA cities who are working to revitalize distressed neighborhoods through economic growth. Awards will range from $15,000 to $50,000; applicants must be a 501(c)3 organization. Learn more here.  

 

Whole Kids Foundation's School Garden grant program - deadline: 10/31

Grants of $2,000 available to fund new and existing food gardens at K-12 schools that are aimed at encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption. Eligible applicants include schools and nonprofits; learn more here

 

Mass Humanities Public Squared Challenge Grant - deadline: 3/21 

One grant of up to $25,000 will be awarded to support a project that encourages dialogue around an issue facing society; project must engage new audiences and involve a collaboration between 2+ organizations. Details here.
 Job opportunities
Do you need help getting the word out about a job opportunity? Send us your announcement and we'll share it both here and on our blog.

CEDC Small Business Technical Assistance Provider
New Bedford's Community Economic Development Center seeks a part-time, preferably bilingual (Spanish or Portuguese) staff member to support area small businesses with a range of technical assistance (including start-up support, marketing, record-keeping, and technology. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by September 15.
In this issue:
SouthCoast Indicators
From the blog
Events
Grants
Jobs




 About the Urban Initiative:

 

The UI is a division of the Center for Policy Analysis that addresses challenges and opportunities in the region's smaller industrial cities, with a particular emphasis on Fall River and New Bedford.  

 

In addition to conducting applied research, evaluating programs and policies, facilitating collaborations, and providing technical assistance to cities and organizations therein, the Urban Initiative serves as a knowledge base for urban policy issues in the region.

 

Perhaps most importantly, our work to support cities supports UMass Dartmouth students. Graduate and undergraduate students enjoy the opportunity to apply their coursework in the field by serving as paid staff and interns. If you are or know of a UMass Dartmouth student who wants to work with the Urban Initiative, get in touch!


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Contact us!

 
Phone:
508-910-6407

Email: [email protected]

Mail:
285 Old Westport Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Website: http://www.umassd.edu/urbaninitiative/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbaninitiative

Twitter: @UrbanUMassD 



Urban Initiative staff


Project Manager:
Colleen Dawicki

Graduate research assistants:
Robert Golder 
Katya Starostina

Undergraduate research assistant: