Communities

October 30, 2009 -- BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Paul Kirk today announced that three Massachusetts organizations will receive a total of $230 million under the 2009 round of the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program. The funding is administered through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund which aims to expand the capacity of financial institutions to provide capital, credit and financial services to underserved populations and communities in Massachusetts and throughout the nation.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today announced 19 grant awards from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). These grants are awarded to cities, counties and community groups in the Appalachian Region who have met the community improvement requirements set by the ARC.

“This program creates new opportunities for Georgia residents by improving the quality of life in the northeastern region of our state,” said Governor Perdue. “This 13-state ARC partnership helps local communities compete at the national and global level.”    » read more »

Brown Points to Rising Occurrence in Ohio of Lenders Refusing to Take Possession of Foreclosed Homes, Leading to Vandalism, Neighborhood Decline

September 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A growing number of lenders are refusing to take possession of homes after they have been foreclosed, leading to vandalism and neighborhood decline in Cleveland and cities across Ohio. In response to this alarming trend, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called for a federal investigation of so-called “bank walkaways.”    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- Creating ways for healthful lifestyle habits to be the natural first choice for Americans is the goal of a $650 million initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, decrease obesity, and decrease smoking in U.S. communities.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for communities and tribes to apply for $373 million in cooperative agreements for the comprehensive public health initiative, Communities Putting Prevention to Work, to be led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - In anticipation of President Barack Obama's launch of "United We Serve," Sierra Club members and supporters have been mobilizing to organize service events around the country. Sierra Club activists are using the opportunity to promote not only community service, but projects that illustrate how service can help improve the environment and help communities at the same time.

Events range from historic trail restoration, to river cleanups, water monitoring, and electronics recycling.    » read more »

Governor Doyle and Members of Administration to Donate Time to Organizations

June 22, 2009 -- MADISON, MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today called on Wisconsin residents to answer President Obama’s call to service, “United We Serve,” a sustained effort to help in our nation’s recovery by calling on Americans to volunteer in their communities. The Governor kicked-off the United We Serve national community service campaign in Wisconsin today by volunteering in Madison and Milwaukee.    » read more »

Governor encourages sustained involvement by Virginia volunteers in their communities; First Lady Holton joins Secretary of the Interior Salazar to kick of Presidential initiative

June 22, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today applauded the launch of the United We Serve initiative, a national effort by the Obama administration to promote and sustain community involvement. To kick off the initiative in Virginia, First Lady Anne Holton and Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources Nikki Rovner joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar at the Big Meadows area of Shenandoah National Park to perform invasive weed removal. Governor Kaine will participate in a number of programs throughout the summer as part of the initiative.    » read more »

Summer of Service to Run June 22-Sept. 11

6/22/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced that the Governor’s Office and the state’s departments and agencies will participate in United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

“These 11 weeks are a time for North Carolinians to take the lead in organizing service projects and forging partnerships with local organizations to get their communities back on track,” Perdue said. “Whether you are working in a soup kitchen, reading to a child or helping out a friend in need, everyone’s small efforts can create some big results.”    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, called on Senate Appropriations Committee members as well as members of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development to provide ample funding for housing and community development activities in the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill.    » read more »

Strengthening Communities Fund is Supported by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

May 11, 2009 -- The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the availability of grants worth $50 million from the Strengthening Communities Fund, a new fund created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The fund will strengthen nonprofit and faith-based organizations that aid families and communities who are struggling in the economic downturn.

The Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) is divided into two parts. The Nonprofit Capacity Building program will make one-time, two-year awards of up to $1 million to lead organizations that will use the funds to support other faith-based or secular nonprofit organizations.    » read more »

5/11/2009 -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced 16 community and regional Western North Carolina projects she will recommend to receive a total of $4 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission. She made the announcement in Brevard at Transylvania Vocational Services Inc., a company participating in one of the projects.

“These 16 community and regional projects represent Western North Carolina’s creativity and innovation,” said Gov. Perdue. “They will bring needed jobs, education and training programs, housing and infrastructure improvements to this part of our state.”    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today announced that the Housing Authority of Bowling Green (HABG) has been awarded $2,032,551 from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to help low-income families and individuals purchase homes that have been foreclosed and abandoned in the wake of the country’s economic crisis.

“Vacant housing can have a very negative impact on neighborhoods by inviting crime and blight and bringing down surrounding property values,” said Gov. Beshear. “The Housing Authority of Bowling Green’s plan will benefit communities by returning vacant lots to productive use while providing new opportunities for homeownership to deserving families.”    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- MAYFIELD, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today announced that the Purchase Area Housing Corporation (PAHC) has been awarded $1,372,500 from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to help stabilize communities in southwestern Kentucky that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment.

PAHC, which serves the eight-county Purchase Area Development District region, will use the funds to acquire, rehabilitate and resell foreclosed and abandoned properties that might otherwise become sources blight within neighborhoods.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today announced that the Pennyrile Housing Corporation (PHC) has been awarded $1.3 million from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to stabilize communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment.

PHC will use the funds to purchase, rehabilitate and resell foreclosed and abandoned properties in Christian County that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.    » read more »

Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund Targets Small Business Investments and Development; Applications due June 15, 2009; Awards Announced August 17, 2009

May 6, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the availability of $120 million in Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund grants to finance business investment, infrastructure upgrades and downtown redevelopment that will advance New York’s economic vitality. The Fund will support projects that help provide a framework for future growth in regions with stymied development. The Blueprint Fund, which will be administered by Empire State Development (ESD), will help to attract businesses, improve commerce and revitalize local economies.    » read more »