October 2006 Volume IV, Number 10.5

Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek, News Finder Extraordinary & Jane Leonard, MRP President & Editor

IN THIS ISSUE:

ACROSS THE FIELD
FUNDING
MEETINGS
MISCELLANEOUS
OPPORTUNITIES

ACROSS THE FIELD, by Jane Leonard
Filling in for the giants

 As I compile this newsletter, the political campaign hype is in full swing, but I am thinking about my grandparents, Art and Hazel Berg, who met as schoolchildren in Wahkon, Minnesota, and got married there 80 years ago on October 16, 1926. They are both gone now: Grandpa in 1993, and Grandma in 1998, but they left us the farm in Isle Harbor Township and left me inspired constantly by their service to their church, community, state, and country. I wouldn’t be the person I am, or do the work I do without their guidance and example.

I thought about them when I read that Arvid Clementson, the longtime mayor of Fosston, had died this past week at age 81. I was fortunate to have known Mayor Clementson. He was one of the first community boosters I encountered as a young person working on Minnesota’s community improvement programs in the 1980s. To read of Arvid’s accomplishments is to understand the sacrifice and community love of the Greatest Generation.

I think about my grandparents and Arvid when I see that the Minnesota Historical Society is encouraging all Minnesotans to nominate people, places, events and things in Minnesota history that have significantly influenced our state and our world for use in its upcoming "MN150" exhibit for the state’s Sesquicentennial (May 11, 2008).

Art and Hazel and Arvid are all Minnesota heroes in my mind – everyday people who significantly influenced our state. They were giants who walked amidst us, steady, constant, full of grace and commitment. Are we big enough these days to fill their shoes? Can we set aside the hype that sometimes passes for leadership and just go to work helping to make our communities and our state the best they can be? I hope so. Vote on November 7 and then let’s all keep going, inspired by the giants who came before us and who taught us how to carry on.

FUNDING

--Small Cities Development Program pre-applications for 2007 are due October 24th.  This program can help with funds for projects that combine Downtown Revitalization and Housing.  The Full Application is now on SCDP's Homepage website: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/SCDP/.  All applicants must first have gone through the Pre-application process to submit a Full Application, and all proposed administrative agencies must have been determined by SCDP during the pre-application process to have the capacity to administer the proposed activities.  Any Full application that has not followed this process will not be accepted.

--The Community Assistantship Program is pleased to announce a Spring grant program.  What is CAP?  The Community Assistantship Program (CAP) provides applied research assistance to community-based groups outside the Twin Cities Metro Area. The research and technical needs of community organizations are matched with the support of talented students. The idea is simple: get the resources of a great University working with communities to address the significant issues facing the people of Minnesota. CAP projects typically place students in a community defined and directed part-time research assistantship for one semester or over the summer. Students are selected by and report to the community organization. Throughout the project students are supported by a community supervisor, faculty and community mentors. http://www.cura.umn.edu/cap.php    The CAP grant will allow rural communities to hire a University of Minnesota student to work on a project defined by those communities.  Eligible organizations include community groups, organizations, and local governments in Greater Minnesota (plus outer suburbs in the Twin Cities).  Many different types of projects can be funded, but current priorities are projects related to economic development.  Proposals are due October 30th 2006, approved projects will run from January 11 - May 27, 2007.  For details on how to apply go to: http://www.cura.umn.edu/Programs/ApplicationProcess.php

--Scenic Byway Grant Applications for 2007 Available:  For the second year, a grant program is being offered to assist communities in promoting Minnesota's scenic byways.  Grants provide 40% of the cost of a project with a 60% cash match of non-state funds required. A maximum of $2500 is available per byway.  Minnesota non-profit organizations formed for the primary purpose of scenic byway tourism promotion or having scenic byway tourism marketing as a component of their programming are eligible to apply. If a Scenic Byway Committee is not incorporated as a non-profit organization, you must work through a designated non-profit, incorporated entity such as a Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Chamber of Commerce (chamber), or other tourism organization.

The application deadline is November 1, 2006 for projects occurring between January 1 and December 31, 2007. Scenic Byway Grant Guidelines and applications are available from the Explore Minnesota Tourism Regional Managers listed below:

Southern Region:                      
Dave Vogel
507/389-2683                            
888-975-6766
Dave.vogel@state.mn.us

Northeast Region:                     
Tim Campbell
218-723-4692
888-876-6784
Tim.campbell@state.mn.us

Northcentral/West Region:         
Carol Altepeter
218-828-2334
888-629-6466
Carol.altepeter@state.mn.us

Northcentral/West Region:
David Bergman
218-681-0997
888-563-7777
David.bergman@state.mn.us

Metro & Statewide:
Gayle Junnila
651-296-5205
800-657-3637
Gayle.junnila@state.mn.us

--Loan Guarantees for Innovative Energy Projects.  The federal Department of Energy has issued a solicitation for its Loan Guarantee Program, seeking projects that employ innovative energy technologies. The total amount of funding is $2 billion.  Pre-applications are due by November 6, 2006. http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/Solicitationfinal.pdf

-- Diversifying Public Markets and Farmers Markets -- DUE: November 13, 2006 -- Project for Public Spaces, Inc. (PPS) is pleased to release its second Request for Proposals (RFP) to support individual farmers markets. This round, they will be awarding approximately $400,000 in funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Grants resulting from this RFP will be awarded in early 2007 and will be for one year. The public markets grant program aims to strategically support markets, especially in low- to moderate-income communities, to become more economically sustainable and community-centered. Available for download at:
http://www.pps.org/markets/info/regranting/rfp_2007

--Pre-applications are due November 17 for the 2007 Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program. The program helps small hospitals (50 or fewer beds) in a rural area or in a community of less than 15,000 outside the seven county metro area update, remodel or replace aging facilities and equipment. For complete go to: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/grants.htm#rural  or email Doug Benson at (651) 201-3842.

--Hamburger Helper Announces Grant Program for Local Communities Across America.  Hamburger Helper, a General Mills food brand, is looking to lend a "helping hand" to neighborhoods across the United States with its "My Hometown Helper" grant program.  Individuals from communities and organizations across America can visit the program's Web site (see link below) to submit a written essay describing how the "My Hometown Helper" grant would help improve their community project. Examples of possible community projects include: lights or bleachers for baseball, soccer, or football fields; repairs to a band shell; computers for the local school or library; playground equipment for a park; holiday decorations for Main Street; money for choir, band, or science trips; new uniforms for Little League teams; clean-up projects; and training for volunteer firefighters. Applicants can request a one-time award of between $500 and $15,000 during any single month. All requests for funding must be sponsored by a municipal or civic organization or public school. The program will award "helping hand" grants each month from online applications received through May 2007. Applications will be evaluated monthly.  Funds will be awarded based on the merit of the project, including its impact on and support within the community.  For more information on the "My Hometown Helper" program and complete guidelines, visit the program's Web site. http://www.myhometownhelper.com/

MEETINGS

--Northern Networks Trade Conference Oct. 17-19, 2006 - Duluth, MN.  Northern Networks Trade Conference is a cross-border, multi-national trade event. Business people from Ontario, Minnesota, and Wisconsin will have the opportunity to tap into the experience of trade representatives from Sweden, China and Mexico. This venue provides attendees the chance to discuss business ventures; meet other business people; plan strategic alliances; and build partnerships to maximize results. Trade and policy experts will address the plenary sessions. Please visit our website at www.duluthchamber.com/nntc  for more information or call 218-722-5501. 

 --The 22nd Annual Conference on Policy Analysis “Visions for Minnesota’s Future” is Wednesday, October 18, 2006, at the Continuing Education and Conference Center, University of Minnesota’s St. Paul, Minnesota campus. Of special rural interest are the plenary on Universal Health Insurance and the session on Immigration Impacts on Minnesota and Public Policy.

--Next Generation Broadband: Policies, Practices and People, October 18 & 19, in Alexandria at the Arrowwood Conference Center & Resort. There’s still time to sign up so you can get “up to speed” on the policies, practices, and people for the Next Generation – which is already here today. At this conference, young people will lead the way – demonstrating emerging technologies and how they are using them to spur 21st century community and economic development in rural America. Conference Fee: $95 for full conference or $48 for one day.  Registration at http://www.blandinfoundation.org/bbsummit/index.htm  or for more information contact: Denise Pfeifer, Minnesota Rural Partners; dpfeifer@minnestoarurualpartners.org 507.828.5559

--Minnesota Water 2006 & Annual Water Resource Joint Conference will be held October 24 & 25, 2006 and is sponsored by the University of MN.  This event brings water scientists and other water professionals together to explore innovative and practical water resource management techniques and the latest research about Minnesota's water resources.   $50-$205. Details at http://wrc.umn.edu/waterconf/

--2006 10th Annual Conference Healthy Communities Healthy Youth, Minneapolis, MN, October 26-28 - www.searchinstitute.org

--Community-Based Entrepreneurship Development Strategies on November 3 in Staples is sponsored by the Todd County Development Corporation.  Those of you readers who may have attended the recent statewide development conference on entrepreneurship and innovation could consider this event a great LOCAL strategies follow-up. The day begins with an in-depth seminar on Energizing Entrepreneurs and Hometown Competitiveness with Don Macke, co-director of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship (www.ruraleship.org) and is followed by local expertise and ideas from entrepreneurs and service providers in financing, entrepreneurship support, and technology infrastructure necessary for 21st century entrepreneurship. $20; lunch included. More info and registration at http://www.regonline.com/110456

--Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is pleased to host the Fall 2006 Minnesota ABCD Summit, November 8, with John L. McKnight Co-Director of ABCD Institute, Northwestern University.  The theme of the summit is “Mobilizing Assets to Create Hospitable Communities” -- Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Owatonna, MN.  For more information, contact Janet at janetl@smifoundation.org or 507-455-3215, ext. 114.

--Rural Minnesota Forum – Educating Rural Minnesota’s Children.  November 15 at the Crowne Plaza in St. Paul.  This will be an exciting day of discussion and Q&A on pre-K to 12 education.  Sponsored by the Center for Rural Policy and Development.  Call 877-RURALMN for more information.

--Helping groups work together collaboratively - November 21, at the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls. In this interactive session, Dr. John Eller, author of the book, Effective Group Facilitation in Education, will provide you with the tools and techniques you need to tame even the most difficult group of people. 

--Microenterprise Tools and Techniques – November 20-21 at the University of MN Rochester.  For more information call 800-553-9656 x5869, or visit www.minneapolisfed.org/community/events

MISCELLANEOUS

--The Regional, Public and Community Affairs Division replaces the Center for the Study of Rural America at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in the bank's organizational structure. Read the special edition of The Main Street Economist for details: http://www.kansascityfed.org/ruralcenter/mainstreet/MSEconSpecEd06.pdf

--Minnesota Historical Society Seeks Nominations for Exhibit Celebrating State's 150th Anniversary: It's time for all Minnesotans to make history! The Minnesota Historical Society is encouraging all Minnesotans to nominate people, places, events and things in Minnesota history that have significantly influenced our state and our world for use in its upcoming "MN150" exhibit. Nominations are being accepted now.  A brief profile of each successful nominator, along with excerpts from submissions, will be featured in the exhibit. "MN150" will showcase 150 people, places, events and things that have sparked significant change within the state or beyond its borders, in honor of the state's sesquicentennial in 2008. The exhibit will open October, 2007 at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.  Nominations can be submitted in several ways:
Through the Society's web site at www.mnhs.org/MN150; by calling 651-297-7955 and following the prompts, or by completing and mailing a nomination form available at any of the Society's 26 museums and historic sites throughout the state, including Mill City Museum, Split Rock Lighthouse, the Minnesota History Center and Historic Fort Snelling.

-- Minnesota Campus Compact Senior Program Director John Hamerlinck recently co-authored a policy brief with Mary Emery, Associate Director of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) at Iowa State University titled, "Entrepreneurship: A Unique Opportunity for Higher Education.” The policy brief addresses how a focus on entrepreneurship can result in a more engaged academy, more relevant scholarship, and a more vigorous and competitive economy. A full version is available on the NCRCRD Web site at: www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/pubs/policybriefs.htm l.

--November 11 to November 17, 2006, The 20th Annual IMAGE Art Show will be open to the public at the East Central Regional Development Commission office, 100 Park Street South, Mora. For more information contact ECAC Director Mary Minnick-Daniels at (320) 679-4065 ext. 30 or via e-mail at ecac@ecrdc.org.

--Minnesota accepting J-1 visa waiver applications. October 1 starts the federal fiscal year and a new year in the J-1 visa waiver program. The program allows states to recommend up to 30 internationally trained physicians for work visas, if the physicians agree to practice for three years in a designated health care shortage area. In fiscal year 2006, Minnesota successfully recommended 17 waivers.   The J-1 visa waiver program sunset on June 1, 2006 but due to the way the program is described in statute, the states can continue to process waiver applications in 2007. A reauthorization of the program is in the immigration bill currently before Congress. An article describing the program and reauthorization, by immigration attorney Robert Aronson, is online (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/j1/conrad.pdf).  For more information about Minnesota’s J-1 visa waiver program or to get Curriculum Vitae from interested physicians, email Lorry Colaizy or call him at (651) 201-3851.

--The Rosalyn Carter Institute at Johnson & Johnson recently published a report “Caregiving in Rural Communities: 12 Tips for Caregivers.” This report offers basic pointers such as becoming informed, taking care of your own physical, mental and emotional health, allowing others to help etc. to reach your full potential as a caregiver in a rural community. For a copy of the report, visit http://www.raconline.org/pdf/12tipsforcaregivers.pdf

--Call for Proposal Abstracts – Due October 31, 2006.  From June 17-20, 2007, Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (Wisconsin's state rural development council) will serve as local host to an international community and rural development conference at the Paper Valley Radisson Hotel in Appleton, Wisconsin.  The conference is co-hosted by the Community Development Society (CDS) and the National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP).  Plan to join us as together we explore regional development through a lens of history and community change. The conference will feature mobile workshops, on-site workshops including 'best practice' modules, and great networking, plus several Wisconsin hospitality events. The abstract document can also be downloaded from the CDS web site at www.comm-dev.org - click on 2007 Conference and scroll down. On-site workshops cover a variety of topics, including Agriculture, Culture, Education, Economy, Energy, Environment, Government, Health, Housing, Public Participation, Public Works, Recreation, Regional Development, Religion & Spirituality, Telecommunications, Transportation and more.

-- The fall issue of TEN explores the effect universities have on patent development in non-urban areas. Other feature articles include debit and credit card reward programs and the loyalty they entice; entrepreneurial success thanks to regional partnerships; the flow of cash and coin; and a look at the 12 bank structure of the Federal Reserve System.  TEN is available at http://www.KansasCityFed.org/publicat/TEN/TENmain.htm

-- The Fieldstone Alliance released “The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook: How to Transform Communities Using Local Assets, Arts and Culture.”   This guide is designed to show how culturally-based projects can play a role in creating change in communities. The guide includes 6 distinct steps for assessing, planning and implementing creative community building projects.  To purchase the guide, please visit http://www.fieldstonealliance.org

--The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Rural Family Economic Success (RuFES) recently launched a website geared towards rural issues.  The website highlights rural strategies, reports, data and other resources.  To access the website, please visit http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/ruralfes/

--Am I Rural?  The Am I Rural? service can be used to help determine whether a specific location is considered rural based on various definitions of rural, including definitions that are used as eligibility criteria for federal programs. The information provided by this service addresses only the rural aspect of a program's requirements. Your "Am I Rural?" report is not a guarantee of your eligibility status. Please check with the program contacts directly to verify your eligibility for specific federal programs.  Create a custom report for your location: Am I Rural? At http://www.raconline.org/funding/rural.php

Common Rural Definitions
Rural Urban Commuting Areas (RUCAs), by ZIP code and Census tract
Core Based Statistical Areas
Rural Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Urban Influence Codes (UICs)

--There is a new report from USDA called Cost of Living and the Geographic Distribution of Poverty go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err26/err26.pdf

--Conservation Tax Incentives in August, 2006 federal tax incentives for donating conservation easements were preserved and expanded. Several provisions will encourage land to be kept wild or in productive farms and forests will and expand tax breaks to family farmers, ranchers and other moderate-income landowners who donate land to protect natural resources. The provisions include:
-- Raising the maximum deduction for conservation easements from 30% to 50% of a landowner's adjusted gross income.
-- Allowing qualified farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income.
Increasing from 6 to 16 the number of years over which a donor can take deductions.

The changes will be effective for donations made through December 31, 2007. For those with property that needs protection and to get some relief from increasing land values, a land donation may be ideal. For details, contact the Minnesota Land Trust (see  http://www.mnland.org/). http://www.lta.org/publicpolicy/tax_incentives_updates.htm

--Farm Beginnings. This annual farmer-led educational training and support program is designed to help people who want to evaluate and plan their farm enterprise. Participants engage in a mentorship experience and network with a variety of successful, innovative farmers; attend practical, high quality seminars, field days and conferences; and receive resource materials. They also create links with experienced farmers through farm partnerships, land and equipment use and/or rental.  Classes began in Winona October 14 and in Hutchinson October 28 for these classes, offered by the Land Stewardship Project.  For more information see:            http://www.farmbeginnings.org

--Perceptions of Rural America  W.K. Kellogg Foundation
/www.wkkf.org/pubs/FoodRur/Pub2973.pdf#search=%22%22Perceptions%20of%20Rural%20America%22%22

OPPORTUNITIES

--Region Five Development Commission seeks an Economic Development Director.  Duties include implementing a regional economic development strategy; administering a regional revolving loan fund; assisting with business recruitment and marketing; providing business planning assistance; and grant writing.  Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, community development, or related field and 2 years of related work experience required.  Salary range: $35,000 - $50,000 includes benefits.  Send application, resume and cover letter to R5DC, 611 Iowa Ave, Staples MN 56479 or e-mail chills@regionfive.org   Deadline Tuesday 10/31/06.  Call (218) 894.3233 or visit web site at www.regionfive.org

--The Partners Internship Program (PIP) grants internship awards to nonprofit agencies in Minnesota, North Dakota, and northwestern Wisconsin. Recipient organizations hire an undergraduate student to manage a project designed by the organization. Now is the time to plan project grants for summer 2007.  Eligible organizations must have a 501c(3) or (4) status. To learn more visit the HECUA web site at http://www.hecua.org/pip.html.

For more information, or to request an application, contact Trisha Hasbargen at 651/287-3316 or thasbargen@hecua.org.

-- Community Liaison position, Northwest Area Foundation Ventures Program. See more information at http://www.nwaf.org

EDITORS' NOTES: If you have news, announcements, job listings, etc., please send them to jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org. We also accept paid advertisements and sponsorships to support the creation of the newsletter. Minnesota Rural Partners is a non-profit organization – we ask you to consider the work we do and if you find value in it, please make an investment to help sustain that work.

Minnesota Rural Partners is a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
Mini-May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
Mid-April 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
Mid-March 2004
March 2004
March 2004 Press Release
June 2003
Mar 2003
June 2002