Member Update
CEDAM News & Views: July 19,
2007 | |
|
| State Policy &
Politics... |
CEOS for Cities - Marketing
Michigan
On Wednesday, July 18th, Carol
Coletta of CEOs for Cities spoke
at MSHDA on the advantages that Michigan has because of its many
well-known universities, natural resources/green space, and
being a leader in economic integration in the
Grand Rapids area. Many government officials
attended this meeting, including various
representatives/staffers from the Flint and Detroit (Metro and Downriver) areas. If
you are interested in the research the group has been
conducting, you can email Carol Coletta or visit their website
for more
details.
Legislative
Tracking Service Available On-line
 Visit CEDAM's Public Policy Portal for current legislative
information affecting our
industry. |
| National Outlook... |
Contact Your US Representatives
TODAY! Crucial Vote this Afternoon on Human
Services Funding
Much activity has been taking place in
Washington this week. As many know, our legislators have been
vigorously debating the war in Iraq. What many may not have
been following are the budget wranglings that have been taking
place surrounding the federal FY 08 budget. Specifically, HR 3043 - the 2008
appropriations bill for the departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education - may be up for a vote this
afternoon!
Please take the time to contact your
US Representative immediately to urge their
support for HR 3043. The House Bill, as written, rejects cuts
proposed by the President and instead makes modest gains in
education, home energy aid, employment programs, and public
health.
When you call, please also relate to your
Representative the importance of the Americorps program to
your community. We have received reports that there have been
proposed amendments to HR 3043 to either reduce or eliminate
funding for the program.
Many of our organizations depend on the talents of
Americorps members to help them achieve their
goals.
In short: contact your US
Representative today (you can find yours online by inputting
your zip code). Tell them that, as a constituent, you support
increases in funding to support the critical services that are
offered in your community, and that you also support the
Americorps program as part of that delivery system.
New York Times: Support
National Affordable Housing Trust
Fund |
On July 3, the
New York Times published an editorial calling on
Congress to pass the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund,
which would be used to construct, rehabilitate and preserve
1.5 million units of housing over next 10 years. The editorial
cited severe housing cost burden that places the nation's
lowest-income families at risk of homelessness. It also
praised bipartisan support for measure, saying it suggests
that pain and hardship inflicted by the affordable housing
crisis are being recognized on both sides of aisle.
Continuing support for Housing Trust Funds
nationally should be used in Michigan to help build the case
for Michigan's Housing and
Community Development Fund (MHCDF). CEDAM is continuing to
meet with state legislators on the MHCDF, and urges you to
continue talking to your elected officials about the
importance of this
Fund. |
| Members & Partners
Spotlight... |
| "Old Town is
New Again" |
 The July edition of the
Greater Lansing Business Monthly features one of CEDAM's members
here in Lansing, the Old Town Commercial
Association! The article details the
numerous new businesses, development projects, and residents
that have been moving back into the Old Town Neighborhood of
north Lansing.
"We have a very creative community," said
Jamie Schriner-Hooper, Executive Director of Old Town
Commercial Association, and she notes the
numerous creative businesses that have been bringing
the community together as well as the extraordinary efforts of
Old Town's volunteers, who work very hard to put on festivals
that bring people to the area.
Northern Initiatives and the Upper
Pennisula's Lean Enterprise Network
Northern Initiatives,
based in Marquette, is one of our non-traditional CDCs in that
it focuses more on job/workforce training than on affordable
housing. It is a CDFI (Community Development Financial
Institution) and works regionally to move the community and
economic development of Michigan's Upper Pennisula forward. As
efficiency is crucial in the CED field, Northern Initiatives
is actively involved with the Lean Enterprise Network, a group
of Upper Pennisula organizations working to improve their
businesses and client services. The LEN has an event coming up
on Friday, July 27th - a special day-long seminar on noted
author Larry Rubrich's book "How to Prevent Lean
Implementation Failures" hosted by company Karl Schmidt Unisia
in Marinette, WI. The seminar will take place from 10am to 4pm
CST; more information can be found on the registration form.
Please RSVP with Joe Boyle by
today. |
| Resources, Trainings, &
Events... |
| Publications, Grants Available on Sustainable
Development |
|
 The Urban Land Institute
was created in 1934 to provide leadership in the responsible
use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving
communities worldwide. As such, they have a wide variety of
resources highlighting best practices in affordable housing
development. Take a look at the newly-released Ten Principles for the
Development of Affordable Housing which is available
for purchase on their website.
Also available are grants to support sustainable
development. Green Communities, an
initiative sponsored by Enterprise, will be
awarding grants of up to $50,000 per project for developers
committed to providing green affordable housing. The deadline
for applications is August 31.
MI Downtown
Conference Early-Bird Registration Deadline Approaching
 The Michigan Downtown
Conference is dedicated to bringing the best ideas,
resources, and educational sessions together to create an
energetic environment to celebrate the growth and discuss the
challenges facing Michigan's Downtowns. This year's conference
takes place from September 18-20 in Traverse City. Register by
August 1 to receive a special early-bird registration
rate!
Neighborhood Associations: Moving Michigan
Forward
The 21st Annual Neighborhood
Associations of Michigan Conference will be taking place
September 28-29th at the Radisson in Lansing. Nominations for
the Community Policing Awards, the Community Builder Awards,
and the NAM Board of Directors are currently being sought.
Conference attendees have the opportunity to apply for NAM
mini-grants. Please visit the website for more
information.
Attention Michigan Land
Banks!
Interested in forming and/or
advancing your land bank? The 2nd Annual Land Bank Summit is
being held on August 18 - 19th in Frankenmuth. It is hosted by
the Genesee Institute; if you register by July 20, you will
qualify for the lower pre-registration fee! Registration form and
information on summit
sessions.
New National Information
Portal Available
The
newly-created Community Investment Network website is designed to
be a national information resource for individuals and
organizations interested in creating, rejuvenating and
maintaining healthy communities in the United States and other
countries. Access to The Community Investment Network is
provided as a public service by the National Community
Reinvestment Coalition
(NCRC).
Other Resources
For information on other upcoming
training opportunities, don't forget to visit MITTAC - the Michigan Training and Technical
Assistance Collaborative.
CEDAM's Career Corner is also frequently updated
with job openings in the Community Economic Development
industry. New positions are added often! | |
|
Compliments of CEDAM
|
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From July 20th - 23rd, The 
