- Sustainable Communities in an Ever Changing Context - Webinar Series
- Local Government Training Clearinghouse
- CaRDI Publications
- A Case Study of Ethanol Development in NYS
- The Changing Demographic Profile of Rural Areas
- Using the American Community Survey (ACS) for Rural or Small Area Research and Policy
- Public Opinion on Indian Casinos and Rural Economic Development in NYS
- New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) Legislative Conference
- Association of Towns Of NYS Annual Meeting
- Symposium on Energy for the 21st Century
- Gas Rights and Right-of-Way Leasing Pointers for Forest Owners
- NYSAC Launches Economy Watch
- Governor Paterson Will Tour Upstate New York Following State of the State Address
- A Look at Youth on the Move: Local Governments Help Keep Young Adults in State
- How Your Community Can Thrive-- Even in Tough Times
- The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2008
- NY Bio Brief
- Arts and Humanities Research and Innovation
- The Main Street Economist: Is Rural Americal Facing a Home Price Bust?
- SNAPS: Snap Shots of State Population Data
- The Obama-Biden Plan
- Brookings Institution Reports
- Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference
- Entrepreneurship in the Northern Forest
- 2010 Census Integrated Communications Campaign Plan
- Extension's Response to the Housing Crisis
- December eNewsletter from CCTEC (Cornell Center for Technology Enterprise and Commercialization)
- Art & Soul Civic Engagement Initiative
- Climate Change Economics
- Digital Transformation via Economic Stimulus
- Four Tenets of Rural Economic Development
- Rural America at a Glance 2008
Funding / Grants / Other Opportunities
- SUNY Business and Education Connection: Announcements and Grant InformationFu
- Southern Rural Development Center's latest issue of Grant Connections
- CARE Cooperative Agreement Request for Proposals (RFP)
- NYS Assembly's Grants Action News for January 2009
- Vodafone Challenge for Best Innovations Using Wireless Related Technology
- Award Opportunity: 2009 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards
Thought Provokers
- Economic Security Definitions For Discussion
For more information regarding the Communiqué or to subscribe/unsubscribe to this list, please email Ann Prince at ach37@cornell.edu.
For more information about CaRDI, please visit us at www.cardi.cornell.edu.
Sustainable Communities in an Ever Changing Context – Registration Now Available
New Yorkers are living through a period of remarkable change. They face challenges and new opportunities few could have predicted even a decade ago. In this context, CaRDI's Sustainable Communities Webinars are a web-based opportunity for Extension Educators, local officials and other community leaders to broaden their understanding of current and emerging community and economic development issues and processes, and resources for proactively addressing them. Researchers and practitioners will share research-based information and personal experience designed to help New Yorkers make informed decisions. The Spring 2009 Sustainable Communities webinars will be held the 4th Tuesday of every month, January – May 2009 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Join us for the first Sustainable Communities Webinar: Sustainable Communities: An Overview, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 from 2:00 -3:30 pm.
Sustainable Communities: An Overview
Rod Howe, Cornell Cooperative Extension Assistant Director for Community and Economic Vitality and Executive Director of the Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI), and Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman, Community Development Coordinator with CaRDI, will provide an overview of what Sustainable Communities encompass, in order to help participants develop a systematic sustainable communities approach. The session will focus on definitions, frameworks, indicators, and resources. We will take a step back and look at the issue of sustainable communities from research and educational perspectives.
To participate in this and future seminars in the Sustainable Communities series, see the topics below, save the dates on your calendar, and register on line at: http://forms.cce.cornell.edu/submitter.php?form_id=319
February 24: Engaging Constructively with Controversial Public Issues
March 24: Exploring What Broad Band Can Do for Your Community
April 28: Understanding and Using Demographic Information
May 26: Agriculture and Farmland Protection in New York State
For more information, contact Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman at hmm1@cornell.edu or 607-255-0417.
Local Government Training Clearinghouse
During September of this year, the New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), in cooperation with Cornell University’s Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI),launched the Local Government Training Clearinghouse. The Training Clearinghouse is a searchable training database that is hosted on the OSC website. It allows local officials to search and find detailed information about various training events, visit the website of the organization sponsoring the training, and register. If your organization has scheduled training sessions for 2009, please feel free to provide us with this information so that it can be posted on the Training Clearinghouse. In an effort to keep our database current, we will be contacting training providers on a quarterly basis to request updated training information.
To provide us with your 2009 training information or if you have any questions or comments, please contact us at localtraining@osc.state.ny.us.
To view the Training Clearinghouse, please go to the following link: http://wwe1.osc.state.ny.us/LGTraining/search.cfm
CaRDI Publications
In early December, Issue #24 of our Rural New York Minute series was released, entitled "Local Politics and Market Forces: A Case Study of Ethanol Development in NYS", by Djahane Salehabadi and Max J. Pfeffer, Cornell University.
This month we published our 25th issue of the Minute, entitled "The Changing Demographic Profile of Rural Areas", By Annabel Kirschner (Washington State University), E. Helen Berry (Utah State University) and Nina Glasgow (Cornell University).
In mid-December, Issue #24 of our Research & Policy Brief Series was released, entitled "Using the American Community Survey (ACS) for Rural or Small Area Research and Policy", by Richard Rathge, Karen Olson, and Ramona Danielson, North Dakota State University.
We will release our 25th issue of the Brief in mid-January, entitled "Public Opinion on Indian Casinos and Rural Economic Development in NYS", By Angela A. Gonzales, Daniel B. Ahlquist, and Thomas A. Lyson, Cornell University.
All of our publications are available on the CaRDI website at http://www.cardi.cornell.edu
New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) Legislative Conference
February 9-11, 2009
Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY
http://www.nysac.org/documents/FLYERLC09web.pdf
Association of Towns Of NYS Annual Meeting
February 15-18, 2009
New York City
Fifth Annual Symposium on Energy for the 21st Century: Smart Growth & Transportation Solutions & Options for Energy Conservation for Small and Large Communities
April 17, 2009
Cazenovia College
Register at: www.cazenovia.edu/energy
Gas Rights and Right-of-Way Leasing Pointers for Forest Owners
Please click here for a new gas leasing fact sheet for forest owners.
Please also see the Natural Gas Development Resource Center website: http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu/
NYSAC Launches Economy Watch
NYSAC released its own version of the economic "State of the State" in a report aimed at arming government officials with a centralized set of local-based economic data. The report, called Economy Watch, includes a range of economic indicators not currently available in one place. It will track data such as today's US Department of Labor announcement that the US economy lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008-the highest annual loss in six decades. Nationally, unemployment grew to 7.2 %, the highest national unemployment rate since 1993.The one page document will be sent monthly to county leaders, with more detailed supporting data available from the official NYSAC website at www.nysac.org.
Governor Paterson Will Tour Upstate New York Following State of the State Address
Governor Paterson Will Host a Series of Town Hall Meetings and Events Across Upstate to Hear Directly From New Yorkers and Deliver Agenda for the Coming Year
The first occurred on January 11 in Watertown. Governor Paterson will spend a portion of the next six weeks traveling throughout Upstate New York to hear the concerns of everyday residents and to deliver his agenda for the coming year as we confront historic economic challenges. Other events are tentatively scheduled for Feb. 4 in Binghamton, Feb. 11 in Rochester, Feb. 12 at the state University College at Geneseo and Feb. 18 in Buffalo.
http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0105092.html
A Look at Youth on the Move: Local Governments Help Keep Young Adults in State, Study Says
Some legislators, think-tank pundits, and even newspaper editorial boards have been laying the blame for Pennsylvania’s economic ills squarely on the shoulders of its more than 2,500 local governments. Well, here’s a news flash: A recent study reveals that young adults are actually drawn to regions of the state with more local governments. The fact is, they like what these communities have to offer.
How Your Community Can Thrive-- Even in Tough Times
Click here for a Project for Public Space article about how towns and cities can go back to their roots for revitalization.
The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2008: Public Charities, Giving, and Volunteering
This brief highlights trends from the seventh edition of the Nonprofit Almanac, prepared by the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute (Urban Institute Press, 2008). The Almanac is the latest in the Urban Institute’s series of statistical profiles of the nonprofit sector and focuses primarily on 501(c)(3) public charities. It also highlights key findings on private charitable contributions and volunteering, two vital components of the nonprofit sector. This brief includes the most recent available data (2005 and 2006).
Click here for the pdf.
NY Bio Brief
Click here for the December 2008 issue.
Arts and Humanities Research and Innovation
Arts and Innovation: Britain’s National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts (NESTA) has released yet another interesting take on the nature of innovation. The latest study assesses the distinctive innovation contributions made by arts and humanities research. Arts and humanities scholars bring unique perspectives to the table. They are able to help gauge the effects of scientific change on societies, and also help translate the findings of scientific research to a broader population. The report notes that arts and humanities organizations can serve as important intermediaries and partners with other key stakeholders among businesses, researchers, and others.
Download the 2008 report Arts and Humanities Research and Innovation from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts, and Arts and Humanities Research Council, by Hasan Bakhshi, Philippe Schneider, and Christopher Walker.
The Main Street Economist: Is Rural Americal Facing a Home Price Bust?
From the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's website, Chad R. Wilkerson explores how rural America's housing prices are faring in the midst of a national home price bust. The article investigates the reasons behind the better recent performance of rural home prices compared to urban areas and whether rural areas will ultimately follow metro areas with falling prices.
The full issue is available at http://www.KansasCityFed.org/RegionalAffairs/Mainstreet/MainStMain.htm?ealert=1231
SNAPS: Snap Shots of State Population Data
CDC is pleased to announce the public launch of SNAPS: Snap Shots of State Population Data. SNAPS is a free service to the public that provides local-level community profile information nationwide. It can be browsed by county and state and searched by zip code. SNAPS serves as a valuable tool when responding to public health emergency events at the state, Tribal, and local levels. It provides a "snap shot" of key variables for consideration in guiding and tailoring health education and communication efforts to ensure diverse audiences receive critical public health messages that are accessible, understandable, and timely. Check out SNAPS today!
The Obama-Biden Plan
Rural communities face numerous challenges but also economic opportunities unlike anything we have witnessed in modern history. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that together we can ensure a bright future for rural America. They will help family famers and rural small businesses find profitability in the marketplace and success in the global economy.
http://change.gov/agenda/rural_agenda
Brookings Institution Reports
- The Road…Less Traveled: An Analysis of Vehicle Miles Traveled Trends in the U.S.
- Confronting Concentrated Poverty in Tough Economic Times
- The Local Economic Impact of “Eds & Meds”
- Clusters and Competitiveness
Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference
Please visit the following department website for the Outlook Handbook chapters in PDF format. The website also has PowerPoint presentations and links from most of the speakers at the December 9 Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference. http://aem.cornell.edu/outreach/publications.htm. The video of the morning session of the conference will be available from CornellCast: http://www.cornell.edu./video
Entrepreneurship in the Northern Forest
The decline of the forestry industry and other leading economic anchors has created a challenging economic climate in the Northern regions of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. A new regional coalition, the Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative, is examining new solutions for revitalizing the area’s economy. A new report contends that entrepreneurship can and should be a critical part of the mix. Among other things, it calls for creating a new system of innovation networks and entrepreneurial clusters that better links regional businesses to one another and to support programs based at local universities, non-profits and government agencies. The report also recommends a focus on the opportunities created by the region’s tremendous beauty and natural assets. This could occur through efforts to promote eco-tourism, adventure recreation, and through the development of sustainable wood industries and products. Download the 2008 Recommendations of the Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative, A Strategy for Regional Economic Resurgence.
2010 Census Integrated Communications Campaign Plan
The final 2010 Census Integrated Communications Campaign Plan is nowposted on the 2010 Census website. To directly access the document,click on the link: http://www.census.gov/2010census/pdf/2010_ICC_Plan.pdf
Extension's Response to the Housing Crisis
By Pamela R. Turner, from Journal of Extension
Extension needs to react quickly to the current housing crisis. Rising mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures negatively affect the families and communities where we work. Extension is well placed to meet the needs of individuals and families as they weather the economic downturn. We need to respond by providing information, resources, and programs on financial and stress management. Working with local partners, we can help families and stabilize the communities we serve.
Click here for the full article: http://www.joe.org/joe/2008december/comm1.shtml
December eNewsletter from CCTEC (Cornell Center for Technology Enterprise and Commercialization)
- Using sound waves to map the inside of the eye
- Bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and investors
- Upcoming and recent events at CCTEC
To read the full newsletter, go to http://www.cctec.cornell.edu/news/newsletters/December2008.php
Art & Soul Civic Engagement Initiative
The initiative aims to use storytelling and the arts to identify common values, which will help guide community land use and protect the community's heart and soul. http://www.orton.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=732&nodeID=1
Climate Change Economics
The objective is to offer access to the best available objective analysisof the options facing the United States, fifty individual states and the US territories as we address the carbon intensity of our economy. As moreand more Americans are realizing, our nation faces a growing double threat posed by both climate changes in our local communities and the rapidlyincreasing costs of fossil fuels. Climate Change Economics will equippolicymakers and researchers at every level of government with aclearinghouse of resources and tools to tackle these challengescomprehensively. http://www.climatechangeecon.net/index.php
Digital Transformation via Economic Stimulus
Invest $30 billion in America’s information technology (IT) infrastructure, and you may create as many as 949,000 jobs. That’s the bottom line number for a new economic stimulus package proposed last week by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). ITIF researchers argue that the economic stimulus package should not be used only to build and upgrade traditional infrastructure. Investments in new IT infrastructure are also needed. They propose three primary categories of new investments:
- Broadband Infrastructure: Invest $10 billion to expand broadband networks and increase the speed of existing networks.
- Health IT: Invest $10 billion to expand use of health IT, especially in the use of electronic health records.
- Smart Grid: Invest $10 billion to improve transmission lines and to create tax incentives for smart grid investments by utilities, businesses, and consumers.
Download the January 2009 Information Technology and Innovation Foundation report, “The Digital Road to Recovery: A Stimulus Plan to Create Jobs, Boost Productivity, and Revitalize America,” by Robert D. Atkinson, Daniel Castro, and Stephen J. Ezell.
Four Tenets of Rural Economic Development
Click here for the full article.
Rural America at a Glance 2008
Click here for the full article.
Funding / Grants / Other Opportunities
SUNY Business and Education Connection: Announcements and Grant Information
Click here for more information.
Southern Rural Development Center's latest issue of Grant Connections
Volume 10, Number 8, December 2008
http://srdc.msstate.edu/funding/gc_dec08.html
CARE Cooperative Agreement Request for Proposals (RFP)
The 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CARE Cooperative Agreement Request for Proposals (RFP) is now available on-line at: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html#0902.
The CARE website has additional information related to the CARE RFP, including our upcoming Q&A Webcasts, so also visit: http://www.epa.gov/CARE. Around $3 million will be available in 2009 to support community-based partnerships to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. Applications for the CARE grants are due March 16, 2009. Eligible applicants include county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, Feb. 3, 24 and 27, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process.
NYS Assembly's Grants Action News for January 2009
http://hawkeye.assembly.state.ny.us/gan/20090101/
Vodafone Challenge for Best Innovations Using Wireless Related Technology
The Vodafone Foundation, through the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Challenge (the "Challenge"), will make awards in the amounts of $100K, $200K, and $300K to identify and fund the best innovations using wireless related technology to address critical social issues around the world. The Challenge is open to projects from universities and nonprofit organizations based in the United States. Projects must demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach that uses an innovation in wireless related technology to address a critical global issue in one or more of the following areas: access to communication, education, economic development, environment, or health. The technology should have the potential for replication and large scale impact. Teams should have a business plan or a basic framework for financial sustainability and rollout. Proposals are due Feb. 2, 2009. Awards will be announced April 3.
The full RFP is at: http://challenge.vodafone-us.com/innovAbout.html
Award Opportunity: 2009 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) is calling for nominations for the 2009 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards. Criteria for the awards are threefold: (1) overarching sustainability (strategic thinking about goals and outcomes, quality of life improvements for residents), (2) green sustainability (reduction in the community’s environmental footprint) and (3) economic sustainability (enhancement of the competitive business environment, stakeholder involvement with the local business sector). The nomination period closes at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 30, 2009. Nominations will be accepted from any member of a local initiative on sustainability, including officials from governments, businesses, chambers, and community and economic development agencies. Please see the announcement and nomination kit attached. For more information on how to apply and to view winners in the 2008 awards program, visit www.uschamber.com/bclc/sustainablecommunity.
Thought Provokers
Economic Security Definitions For Discussion
From Wider Opportunities for Women
Click here for the Economic Security Definitions. Subjects include:
- UN Human Rights Declaration
- World Bank
- Beijing Conference on Women
- Britain Minimum Income Standard
- Wider Opportunities for Women
- Mobility Agenda
- Children’s Defense Fund
- NYC Center for Economic Opportunity
- National Academy of Sciences: