What's New--EZ/EC News and Announcements                                

Updated October 04, 2004

Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) 

New Information    

• 2005 Share Your Heritage Local Host Workshops--Information can be accessed at http://www.ezec.gov/news/2005application.doc
• Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants EPA is accepting proposals for brownfields assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup grants. These grants are part of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize Brownfield sites. Proposals are due to EPA by November 12, 2004. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm#pg. For pre-application assistance, individual teleconferences will be held for Region 2: New York:  October 5, 2004, 1pm, New Jersey: October 6, 2004, 1 pm and Puerto Rico: October 7, 2004, 1 pm (in Spanish). (Date subject to change.) To sign up, please contact Gelena Constantine ASAP, at 202.401.2717 or gconstantine@ocdx.usda.gov.  To find information regarding your state, contact your EPA Brownfields Regional Representative at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/contacts/regions/index.htm.
• "Slice of Life"  Photography Contest Winners--In May 2004, Rural Development's Community Development Programs introduced its first "Slice of Life" Photography Contest.  EZ/EC, REAP Zones, State Rural Development Councils and Champion Communities were invited to showcase their best community snapshot based on three categories: "People Doing Community Development Work", "Before and After" and "Innovative Community Development Projects".  These photographs reflect the impact that each community has made in rural community work. The winners of the contest are:
• "Hands Across the Mountain" Champion Community-People Doing Community Development Work category;
• Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community-Before and After category;
• Tulare County Champion Community-People Doing Community Development Work category; and
• Southwest REAP Zone-Innovative Community Development Projects category.

These photographs can be viewed at http://www.ezec.gov/news/winners.html.

The winning photographs were presented at the National Rural Development Partnership Conference in Oklahoma City.  They are also being displayed in the Rural Development National Office.  Thank you for participating in this contest.  It is great to see what we all are working for… a better rural America.

• Round I EZ/EC Closeout Process
• The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is sponsoring several training seminars to enhance participants knowledge of economic development and develop leadership skills.  The International Economic Development Council's Professional Development Training Series gives economic developers an opportunity to learn best practices in the field from experienced practitioners and bring to their communities new tools, techniques and programs. The courses also provide participants with management insights, including how to best work with board members, business leaders and the community at large.

          The following is a list of the IEDC's 2004 Training Courses:

• Economic Development Credit Analysis, October 25-27, 2004, in Tempe, AZ & December 7-9, 2004 - Atlanta, GA
  In this course, participants will learn how to assess a small business’s financial strengths and weaknesses. Economic developers and public officials can then make informed decisions about providing public financing to small business development. This course is very hands-on, with participants learning how to read important financial reports, including financial statements, balance sheets and the profit and loss statement. Using this information, participants will be able to perform a credit analysis to determine the strength and creditworthiness of a small business.
• Economic Development Marketing and Attraction, November 8-9, 2004, in Dallas, TX Economic Development Marketing and Attraction offers a comprehensive overview of the tools and techniques required to successfully market your community. Hear from consultants, site selectors and marketing experts on how to develop a marketing campaign designed specifically for your community. Attendees will learn first hand what other communities are doing to develop marketing campaigns that showcase local assets to attract valuable industries.

For detailed course descriptions, and to register for any of the courses, please visit www.iedconline.org .