Mid-April 2005 Volume III, Number 4.5

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

With so much happening ahead, we wanted to provide you with late-breaking info on funding and events. So here's another EXTRA edition of the MRP Rural Round-Up!

IN THIS ISSUE:

- Rural Summit Early Bird Advantage
- Funding
- Meetings & Conferences
- Tools & Miscellaneous
- Jobs

Take Note! At the 2005 Minnesota Rural Summit, Early-Early Birds Get the Whole Apple!

Take advantage of an extraordinary opportunity to sign up early for the 2005 Rural Summit and save! The Summit will be held July 28 & 29 at St. John's University in Collegeville. Sign up before May 18 and save $75 over the regular registration rate. This is the lowest registration cost EVER ($175 early-early bird). Check out all the details, program, speakers, etc. You can also sign up for low-cost lodging right on campus (and it is air-conditioned -- these aren't the dorm rooms of our youth!), making this Summit one of the most affordable yet.

And then while you are at it, register as well for a statewide contest called "Long Arm of the Small Town Storytelling Contest" to help celebrate the myriad of rural connections we have in our lives, no matter where we live now. The finals of the contest will be held during the Summit, on Thursday evening, July 28. And all story-telling registrants get a swell "Rural Heritage, Rural Roots" t-shirt, perfect for summer wear at the Summit.

This is the eighth annual gathering of the Minnesota Rural Summit -- really the Minnesota Summit this year with its theme: The Great Reconnect - Bridging Rural & Urban Resources for Community & Economic Success. Think of it as your summer reunion where we'll be showcasing efforts that link community and economic resources between rural and urban Minnesota for the greater good of all. It's fitting that we converge in central Minnesota - in Stearns County -- which has the highest percentage of agricultural sales in the state, yet is also where rural literally meets urban in the physical, economic, social and cultural landscape.

At one time, Minnesota's rural and urban areas were much more tightly related, by economic, social, and family ties. We need to re-connect for the 21st Century and renew those ties because our current and future success depends on relationships and networks that link knowledge and know-how to stoke new flames of development. Our past counted on raw natural resources from rural Minnesota to create our economic base. Our future depends on conserving those resources and connecting ideas and innovations to build new social and economic opportunities and enterprises. Some, like locally-grown foods and fiber, wind energy and bio-fuels, are still tied to natural resources. We must also look to emerging and shared knowledge to develop products and services, some not even dreamed of yet.

At the Summit, we'll get: Context -- learning the plain facts of the changing economic and demographic landscape in Minnesota to understand the current and emerging situation; New connections -- sharing best practices from our peers in communities across Minnesota; and, An action framework that helps communities, regions, and the state reinvent our economic base based on new and emerging conditions.

FUNDING

--USDA's Rural Development earmarks water and waste funds for Native Americans. The amount remaining for Fiscal Year 2005 is $14 million. These funds are specifically intended to be used for eligible projects which benefit members of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (Tribal Members). Priority is given to the neediest projects. However, the use of RUS loan funds, as well as funds from other sources, in conjunction with the grant funds is strongly encouraged. Generally, applicants should be expected to borrow as much as they can afford to repay, as in the regular loan program.

The maximum amount from the earmark for any project is $1 million. For FY 2005, Section 306C Native American earmarked projects must serve Tribes/service areas where the per capita income is not more than $15,110 and the unemployment rate is not less than 6.875 percent. For more information on the program and contact information, please visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov or contact Pam Wiltsey at (218) 829-5965 Extension 156.

--USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service has $1.5 million available for Rural Business Opportunity Grants. The purpose is to promote sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs. For more information, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/rbog.htm. The deadline is May 27.

--USDA's Rural Development has $8.9 million in broadband grant funds available for connecting essential community facilities to high-speed telecommunications in rural towns and communities where no broadband service exists. See Federal Register, March 30. Electronic applications must be submitted at http://www.grants.gov by May 31. For more information, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/2005/bbgp033005.html.

--The Veteran's Administration (VA) has grants available for construction, renovation or acquisition of buildings for housing homeless vets. For more information, see the Federal Register, 4/1/05, pp.16895-98 or http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3 or contact Guy Liedke, 877 332-0334. The deadline is June 22.

--Local Initiative Funding Partners, a partnership program between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and local grantmakers, supports innovative, community-based projects designed to improve the health and healthcare for society's most vulnerable people. Up to $6 million is available for the 2006 grant cycle, in which up to 18 matching grants of $100,000 to $500,000, per project, will be awarded. The deadline is June 30. For more information, visit http://lifp.org.

--National Trust Announces New Rural Heritage Development Initiative. This project will work with two rural pilot regions to implement preservation-based economic development strategies. Proposals are being solicited from regions that have the capacity to work collaboratively to develop cultural and heritage assets for economic benefit. The National Trust has a long history of working on rural preservation and revitalization issues through its nationally recognized National Trust Main Street Center, which originally focused on targeted small towns; its heritage tourism program; the Barn Again! program, and other public policy advocacy. For additional information or to receive the RFP and application, please visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.

--Minnesota Green communities. This initiative supports the production of affordable housing that promotes health, conserves energy and natural resources, and provides easy access to jobs, schools, and services. Applications are now being taken for technical assistance grants, predevelopment loans, green loans and grants to help cover the cost-differential of using green materials and technologies, and priority affordability funding. Applications are due May 20, 2005. Grant and gap financing awards are anticipated in July 2005. Funding will be available statewide for both multifamily and single-family projects. Both mature and preliminary projects will be considered. For details and application forms see http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/minnesota/

--EPA Care Grants. The new Community Action for a Renewed Environment Grants cover multi-media (air, water, land), community-based and community-driven projects to reduce local exposure to toxic pollution. EPA is partnering with communities to help them create collaborative stakeholder groups that may include community organizations, other non-profits, state and local government agencies, other federal agencies, businesses, and academia. The EPA will also provide technical assistance by helping communities identify and access opportunities through a wide range of voluntary programs. $1.65 million is available nationally. Grants are expected to range from $60,000 to $325,000. The closing date for initial proposals is May 20, 2005. See details at http://www.epa.gov/air/grants/05-08.pdf

--USDA renewable energy systems & energy efficiency improvements program. Annual grant and loan guarantee program, funded at $22.8 million nationwide this year, for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to reduce energy costs and consumption and to help meet the nation's critical energy needs. 75% cost share required. Applications due June 27, 2005. Details at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/

CONFERENCES & MEETINGS

--Living Green Expo - April 30 & May 1, 2005
Join over 10,000 people at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds' Grandstand for 72 workshops and over 220 exhibitors of products, services and information for living a healthier, more sustainable life. This family-friendly event also features art displays, children's activities, food, and musical
entertainment. http://www.livinggreen.org

--Develop a Winning Contract Proposal - May 2nd and 3rd 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (both days) The Minneapolis Depot. Pre-registration and payment is required. Please call or email to register at sscott@meda.net or 612-259-6570. Bring your questions and your proposal to this two-day workshop on RFPs. For more info go to http://www.meda.net/

--The Chicano Latino Affairs Council will be hosting the 2nd annual El Pueblo Hispano Conference in St. Paul, MN on May 5 - 6, 2005. The conference theme is 'Building Community'. Conference registration and information is available at http://www.clac.state.mn.us/

--The Art and Science of Cooperative Business Development. This is a new training opportunity developed by CooperationWorks! It is a rigorous course for professionals to engage in the successful development of new cooperative businesses. The curriculum includes:
--Key steps of effective cooperative business development
--Unique attributes of cooperative finance, law, governance and management
--Essential tools for group ownership in building long-term success

The program has been designed to deliver the best of what has been learned in the field of cooperative business development to new practitioners. It consists of two intensive five-day sessions emphasizing the practical application of cooperative business development skills.

Session One: Effective Cooperative Business Development for Practitioners
May 16-20, 2005
Madison, Wisconsin

Session Two: Practitioners as Facilitators for Emerging Cooperative Businesses
November 7-11, 2005
Madison, Wisconsin

For more information, contact: CooperationWorks! - 307.655.9162 -- cw@cvn.com

--Faith in Communities: Mapping and Mobilizing the Community Service Potential of Faith-Based Volunteers St. Cloud Civic Center: Tuesday, May 17th, 9:30a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Clergy, lay leaders, human service professionals, nonprofit organizations and anyone who wishes to learn about asset mapping or faith-based outreach programs should attend. Under the leadership of author, Luther K. Snow, participants will experience an asset mapping session and learn about the variety of applications for which asset mapping may be used. You will also be able to hear from a variety of faith-based social outreach programs who are mobilizing their local faith communities and individuals to address the following issues: Housing, Homelessness, Transportation, Family Support and Mentoring, Elder Care, Health Ministries, Household/Clothing Distribution, and Child Advocacy. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. Registration due by Thursday, May 12. $30 per person. Prepaid mail, or fax and e-mail registrations with credit card payment information required. Attendance is limited to room capacity. Questions? Contact Leah Posterick toll-free at (877) 632-9255 or lposterick@ifound.org.

--On June 7 & 8, 2005, the Center for Small Towns, will be hosting the third annual Symposium on Small Towns, "Shaping Our Future," at the University of Minnesota Morris, which will address local and global trends, how rural communities can work to shape their futures, and how the political framework is likely to change and what it means for small towns.
This event is cosponsored by the Center for Small Towns, Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota Association of Small Cities, and the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. For more information, see http://www.centerforsmalltowns.org or call 320-589-6451.

MISCELLANEOUS

--Rural Children at a Glance -- This report provides the latest information on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of rural children in families. Child poverty in 21st century America is higher (18% in 2003) than the rate for the general population (12.5 %), as well as above the rates in most other industrialized countries. Although rural child poverty rates declined in the 1990s, they remain higher than the rates for urban children (21% vs. 18%). In 2003, 2.7 million rural children were poor, representing 36% of the rural poor. Nonmetro kids are more likely than metro kids to receive food stamps and free or reduced-price school lunches, in part a reflection of higher nonmetro poverty. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB1/

--The Spring 2005 issue of the Rural Assistance Center's quarterly newsletter, The Rural Monitor is now available on RAC's web site at http://www.raconline.org/newsletter/index.html.

--The Economic Development Administration hosted an interactive telecast on the administration's proposed strategy called the "Strengthening America's Communities Initiative." The proposal consolidates 18 community development programs and reduces the budget by more than $2 billion. The telecast is now available for on-demand viewing from the EDA website. View it at http://www.eda.gov/NewsEvents/WebCastsVideos.xml.

--The April issue of the Main Street Economist is now available. Sarah Low discusses "Regional Asset Indicators: Bank Deposit Depth and Evolution." The author introduces two new asset indicators developed by the Center for the Study of Rural America -- banking deposit depth and banking deposit evolution -- which give a snapshot of the supply of banking deposits and how the supply has changed over time in a region. This article can be found on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's web site at: http://www.kansascityfed.org/RuralCenter/mainstreet/MainStMain.htm

POSITIONS / OPPORTUNITIES

--Applications are being accepted through May 9 for the Director position in the State of Minnesota Office of Rural Health & Primary Care. For more information about the position, or to apply online, https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting/View?_posting=05HEAL000140.

Archive Issues:

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