Groundbreakings and Openings

Milestones and Awards

News Coverage

Other News of Note

PA Initiative

Trainings

Works in Progress

Bright Ideas

Other News of Note

• Four Directions Development Corporation (FDDC) has been selected as a semi-finalist for Harvard's Honoring the Nation 2008 award. FDDC was selected from a pool of over 110 applicants who work with Native Americans across the United States. To learn more about FDDC, go to www.fourdirectionmaine.org.


• The Rural School and Community Trust has released "Why Rural Matters 2007: The Realities of Rural Education Growth,"the fourth in a series of reports analyzing rural education. The report is available here.


• Burlington Community Land Trust and Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation recently merged to form one regional affordable housing developer serving Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties in northwestern Vermont. Its portfolio will exceed 2,000 homes in the region. Burlington Community Land Trust has changed its name to “Champlain Housing Trust, Inc.” For more information, visit http://www.bclt.net and http://www.champlainhousingtrust.org



• Rural Ulster Preservation Company held a film viewing in late September celebrating its renovation of the Kirkland Hotel. The film shows the Kirkland Hotel back in the 1950’s in all its glory. The Brugmann family, the previous owners, were present for a Question and Answer session.



• Laconia Area Community Land Trust held its Annual Meeting and Celebration on October 18 in Laconia, NH. Accomplishments of the past year and plans for the future were discussed. The members also elected directors and officers.



• Maine’s Coastal Enterprises, Inc. and the Western Mountains Alliance have released a new booklet “Telling Their Stories: Women Business Owners in Western Maine.” Fourteen female entrepreneurs who run a diverse mix of businesses talk about their businesses. The report presents a fascinating look at the challenges and opportunities of building a business in rural America. To access the report, please visit http://www.westernmountainsalliance.org/PDFTellTheirStories.pdf



• On July 27, 2006, Senator Hillary Clinton announced a joint initiative by Rural Opportunities Inc., St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Rural Opportunities and the U.S. Army to expand the Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative to Fort Drum. This initiative will help local entrepreneurs open their markets to the world and sell their products on the web. Click here http://www.clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=259821&& to read the entire press release.



• LISC’s Organizational Development Initiative focused on The Right Stuff: Leading Your Organization from Good to Great featured Rural LISC partners Peter Carey, Executive Director of Self-Help Enterprises and John Mealey, Executive Director of Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. These leaders spoke about the professional challenges they’ve overcome. They shared personal stories others can use for inspiration and motivation. For those that missed this event, the materials packet and a zip file of the multimedia presentation are online at: http://www.lisc.org/content/calendar/detail/1215/.



• Quitman County Development Organization has entered in the emerging arena of e-philanthropy! It recently added a new feature to its website, a DonateNow button, enabling visitors to donate online instantly. Check out the new and secure DonateNow button at http://www.qcdo.org.