Reclaiming Vacant Properties

October 13, 2010
October 14, 2010
October 15, 2010

The Intersection of Sustainability, Revitalization, and Policy Reform

Date:  October 13-15, 2010
Location:  Cleveland, Ohio

Help your community realize its potential by participating in the Reclaiming Vacant Properties conference!

This past year has proven that by working together, communities can overcome the immense challenges caused by vacant and abandoned properties. While waves of foreclosures and a strained economy have ravaged neighborhoods throughout the country, public agencies, private companies, and residents banded together to develop solutions to preserve their communities and make sure they would come back stronger than ever.

Join hundreds of your peers from communities from the Sunbelt to the Rustbelt, to learn about the policies, tools, and strategies to catalyze long-term, sustainable revitalization. Share your experiences and insights, and become a part of the only national network focused on building the knowledge, leadership, and momentum to reclaim vacant and abandoned properties to foster thriving neighborhoods.

http://reclaimingvacantproperties.org/

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Successful Revitalization Strategies in the Smaller Cities

June 2, 2010
9:30 amto11:30 am

Co-Sponsored by The Massachusetts Association of CDCs and the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance

Date:  Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Time:  9:30 – 11:30 am
Location:  One Beacon Street, 29th Floor

Registration Begins at 9:00am

In 2006, CHAPA and MACDC produced a major report and sponsored a conference on revitalization strategies for our state’s smaller cities.  Since that time, unpredictable changes have taken place, including the economic recession and the foreclosure crisis.

Against this backdrop, the Patrick/Murray Administration has implemented a number of important initiatives, including the Gateway Plus Action Grant and the Growth Districts Initiative, which have helped to spur housing and economic development activity.  A number of leading civic groups, such as MassINC and the Pioneer Institute, continue to prioritize the revitalization of gateway cities in their research and policy work. And state legislation has been proposed to provide various incentives, such as an expansion of the historic tax credit, to revitalize these cities.

What is the current state of the smaller cities in Massachusetts? What successful strategies have emerged to promote neighborhood planning, development, and revitalization?  How can community-based organizations partner with local government and the private sector to implement positive change?  What new tools and resources are needed?

Cost:  $15.00 for CHAPA and MACDC members; $25.00 for non-members (includes continental breakfast).  Space is limited and you must register by Thursday, May 27.  No refunds will be provided to those who register but do not attend the forum.

Registration:  You may register online, by phone, fax, or email.

Onlinehttp://www.chapa.org/?q=event;

Phone: 617-742-0820; Fax: 617-742-3953

Email: jmissick@chapa.org

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MA Downtown Initiative 2010 Spring Workshop Series

June 9, 2010
8:30 amto3:30 pm
June 10, 2010
9:00 amto12:30 pm

How to Keep & Attract Businesses to Your Downtown

Date:  June 9 & 10, 2010
Time:  8:30am – 3:30pm (June 9), 9:00am – 12:30 (June 10)
Location:  Newburyport City Hall, 60 Pleasant St., Newburyport, MA, 01950

This workshop will examine the fundamental economic principles that support a strong and vibrant downtown. Peg Barringer, Finepoint Associates, will provide information and techniques on how to use these principles to strengthen existing businesses and recruit new businesses.

The second day of the workshop speakers will highlight successful implementation of these concepts.

Speakers for June 10:

Ann Lagasse, Leasing Director, Newburyport Development
Sheila Pwomey, Leasing Manager, Newburyport Development
Maria Dickinson, Economic Development Officer, City of Lowell

Registration Deadline is May 28, 2010

Register online: www.mass.gov/dhcd

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Next Stop: A National Summit on the Future of Transit

May 18, 2010
8:00 amto3:00 pm

New ideas on the enhancement and sustainability of America’s public transportation resources.

Date:  May 18, 2010
Time:  8:00am – 3:00pm
Location:  The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Keynote Speakers:
U.S. Congressman John W Oliver
U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary for Policy Roy W. Kienitz
U.S. Federal Transit Administrator Peter M. Rogoff

In addition to business and government leaders and transportation experts, the Summit will feature a rare panel discussion with General Managers of five of the largest transit systems in the nation - Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, DC.

America’s network of transit systems is one of our most effective economic engines as well as a key player in the effort to reduce emissions that cause greenhouse gases. Yet many of these systems, particularly those in our largest cities, are financially and physically distressed. Solutions to the financing and management of metropolitan transit issues are too often caught in the crossfire of local control and parochial politics, leaving little consideration for the innovative, broadly applied solutions that could enhance and sustain these resources throughout the country.

The National Transit Summit brings together practitioners and policymakers, environmentalists and industry leaders to exchange ideas and forge a practical agenda for improving our transit systems and financing their sustainability to meet society’s needs now and for the future.

To RSVP: please send an email to kmillios@massinc.org, including your name, company,
email and phone number

Additional Information here

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Franklin County CDC: Solar Energy Workshop

May 12, 2010
8:30 amto12:00 pm

Date:  May 12, 2010
Time:  8:30am – 12:00pm
Location:  300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife)

Are you a business, non-profit, or municipality considering a large solar array? This workshop will help you navigate all the new incentives and system ownership/financing options. There will be several case studies of projects that have succeeded, and a chance to ask the owners questions. There is a $20 registration fee.

For additional information and registration, Please contact:
Wendy Penner
wendy.p@cetonline.org

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Green Business Workshop

April 29, 2010
6:00 pmto9:00 pm

Presented by the The Community Business Network

Date:  Thursday, April 29, 2010
Time:  6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location:  Northeastern University Dockser Hall
(65 Forsyth Steet, Boston, MA, 02115)

A hands-on community forum for local neighborhood business owners in Boston – making businesses environmentally sustainable while keeping the changes affordable.

For more information and registration, please contact:
Leslie belay
leslie.belay@verizon.net

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Successful Strategies to Brand and Market Your Green Microenterprise Program

April 8, 2010
2:00 pmto3:30 pm

Free Webinar presented by Friedman Associates

Date:  Thursday, April 8, 2010
Time:  2:00pm – 3:30pm EDT

How do you create a green brand and message for your new or existing green microenterprise program? Green messaging can be a powerful way to differentiate your nonprofit and products and services in the market and inspire employees, clients and stakeholders.

In this free webinar we will discuss the benefits of creating a strong and separate identity for your green microenterprise program. Specifically, we will

- define sustainability as an outcome for your work;
- build client awareness of green as viable strategy;
- attract new funding;
- engage new partners;
- and more!

Webinar reservation here

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MIT Community Innovators Lab

The Community Innovators Lab (CoLab) is a center for research and practice within the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP)

CoLab supports the development and use of knowledge from excluded communities to deepen civic engagement, improve community practice, inform policy, mobilize community assets, and generate shared wealth.

They believe that community knowledge can drive powerful innovation and can help make markets an arena for supporting social justice.

CoLab facilitates the interchange of knowledge and resources between MIT and community organizations. We engage students to be practitioners of this approach to community change and sustainability.

CoLab’s Focus:

  • Democratic Engagement
  • Shared Wealth Generation
  • Urban Sustainability

CoLab Web Page: http://web.mit.edu/colab/index.html

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Preserving Affordable Rental Housing through Energy Conservation

April 14, 2010
5:00 pmto7:00 pm

Partners in Innovation
Hosted by the National Housing Conference and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Back Bay Events Center
Keynote Speaker: Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA
Registration Fee: $45.00

This forum will bring together federal, state, and local officials, industry leaders, and advocates for a critical dialogue on green preservation.

Registration and Additional Information Here

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Enterprise Green Communities Certification Process

March 17, 2010
2:00 pmto3:00 pm

Two New Green Communities Live Online

Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm

Enterprise Green Communities is pleased to now offer an online process for certifying green affordable housing developments. Enterprise Green Communities Certification is open to affordable housing projects intending to meet the Green Communities Criteria. Developments that receive Green Communities Certification will be recognized on the Green Communities website and will receive a Green Communities plaque after construction completion.

This WebEx will include discussion of the Enterprise Green Communities’ certification process as well as a demonstration of the current requirements for the two-step online certification submittal and review. Future plans for the refinement of the certification process moving forward will also be presented.

Registration Information Here

Additional Enterprise online learning opportunities here

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