News and events for December 2006
Dec. 14 :: The Disadvantaged Brownfields Communities Network will host a 90-minute web cast, “Dollars and Sense: Smart Brownfields Financing Options for Disadvantaged Communities,” at 2 p.m. EST. The web cast will provide an overview of federal and state financing resources, discuss how to prepare brownfield properties for private investment and showcase communities implementing effective financing strategies. Cost is $40 per site; however, the web cast is free to the first 100 registrants. More information at http://www.eventbuilder.com/encounter/DBCN.
Registration is being taken for Oregon’s 2007 Brownfields Conference, March 1-2, in Salem, Ore. Nominations also are being taken for the Oregon Brownfields Awards, to be presented March 2 at the conference. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and there remains some exhibitor space in the Exhibit Hall. Scholarships to Oregon participants also are available to offset hotel costs and conference fees. For more information, contact Karen Homolac of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department at 503-986-0191, or Karen.Homolac@state.or.us.
Twelve communities in 10 states will share more than $2.3 million in job-training grants geared toward cleaning up contaminated properties and turning them into productive community assets. The EPA awarded grants of up to $200,000 each to nonprofit organizations and local governments. The grants will teach environmental assessment and cleanup job skills to people living in low-income areas near brownfields sites. Among the grant recipients is Oregon Tradeswomen Inc. (OTI), of Portland. OTI plans to train 140 students in 12 training cycles, place at least 91 in environmental jobs and track graduates for two years. Information on all grant recipients is at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/jt1106/jt1106.htm.
Applications for the 2007 Rudy Bruner Award (RBA) are due Dec. 18. The RBA is given to urban places demonstrating the successful integration of effective process, meaningful values and good design. RBA winners often provide innovative solutions to a city’s most challenging problems. The RBA awards one Gold Medal of $50,000 and four Silver Medals of $10,000 each. Case studies and applications are available at www.brunerfoundation.org.
