Team Tools

 

Planning Data & Information (on UD Center for Community Research & Service web site)

Technical Assistance & Coaching

Reference Resources

Training Opportunities

Funding Resources

Blueprint Communities participants are offered a number of resources to assist them in developing and implementing their community revitalization plans. Check back periodically for additional resources. Many of these resources can be found on the "Planning Data and Information" section for Blueprint Communities on the University of Delaware Center for Community Research & Service web site.

Technical Assistance & Coaching

  • The goal of Nolo is to make America's legal system accessible to everyone. With hundreds of top quality, plain-English legal products, Nolo helps businesses and nonprofits get up and running and grow: www.nolo.com

Reference Resources

  • The Community Revitalization Desktop Guide provides a comprehensive model for community revitalization. Offered by the PA Department of Economic & Community Development, the Guide can be of use to communities in any state: http://www.newpa.com/default.aspx?id=479. 

  • The Fairmont WV BC team created and used door hang tags (sample here) to announce a meeting to everyone in the neighborhood. The team printed 500 of them and cut out the area for hanging on the door in about an hour's time. They were easy to distribute.

  • Community Investing Center's Community Investment Database. A search tool that allows you to find organizations and investment products that meet your needs and interests: http://www.communityinvestingcenterdb.org/

  • "Back Home with Blueprint Communities" Booklet (PDF)

  • DataPlace by KnowledgePlex offers a one-stop source for data about your community, or any other place in the U.S. This site provides up-to-date information from several sources, including customized maps.
  • Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) provides unbiased analysis and information on the challenges, needs, and opportunities facing rural America. RUPRI’s aim is to spur public dialogue and help policymakers understand the rural impacts of public policies and programs.

Training Opportunities

From time to time, various institutions, agencies or organizations offer opportunities for funding, program participation, advisory assistance or other support. As we become aware of them, we'll post them here. Please let us know about any opportunities you come across, whether or not you've actually taken advantage of them.

  • Funding: The 2008 Federal Community Stabilization Grants. An October 3, 2008 online chat featuring strategies to plan, prepare and target these funds to address the neighborhood impacts caused by foreclosed and vacant properties. To listen, see: http://www.knowledgeplex.org/xchat.html.

    The 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 provides $3.9 billion in supplemental CDBG dollars to local governments for the acquisition, demolition, and rehabilitation of foreclosed and abandoned homes. HUD must issue program regulations within 60 days (estimated on or before October 1st) and disperse funds within 90 days of enactment. Local governments must make funding commitments within 18 months and to expend all funds within 5 years. Such a tight time frame makes it difficult for community development/housing agencies and their community development partners to develop effective plans and strategies on how to best use these funds to stabilize those neighborhoods under distress from foreclosures, property flipping and subprime lending.

Funding Resources

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