The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program will support metropolitan and multi-jurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments.

Middle Tennessee’s application to HUD was submitted by the Nashville Area MPO in August 2010 under the leadership of three existing regional partnerships in the area including the Middle Tennessee Mayors Caucus, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, and area Chambers of Commerce, representing the public sector, non-profit quality growth advocacy, and local and regional economic development initiatives, respectively.

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The application is molded through a collaboration of individuals and organizations from across Middle Tennessee that play a role in shaping plans, policies, programs, or projects related to housing, transportation, economic development, health, education, equity issues, water and other utility infrastructure, the environment, urban design, and rural preservation.
Sign up to Join the Consortium Here and visit Nashville Area MPO for continuing developments and a full calendar of stakeholder meetings.

For this round of grants, projects will be selected based on their ability to contribute to the long-term economic competitiveness of the nation, improve the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the safety of U.S. transportation facilities and improve the quality of living and working environments of communities through increased transportation choices and connections. DOT will also focus on projects that are expected to quickly create and preserve jobs and spur rapid increases in economic activity.

While these grants are very similar to previous TIGER grants, there are a few differences:

The FY 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act will not provide any funding for projects solely for the planning, preparation, or design of capital projects (“TIGER Planning Grants”); however, these activities may be eligible to the extent that they are part of an overall construction project that receives TIGER Discretionary Grants funding;

Click here to read the full interim notice of funding available (PDF). For more information visit www.dot.gov/tiger/.

If you’re not already part of Smart Growth America’s Sustainable Communities Network but would like to be, click here to sign up for updates.

Sincerely,

Smart Growth America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cumberland Region Tomorrow and the Nashville MPO Announce the 2011 Regional Summit: “Our Region Grows Together”
Cumberland Region Tomorrow (CRT) and the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will host the annual Power of 10 Regional Summit on May 25th, 2011 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The theme of this year’s summit “Our Region Grows Together” will focus on continued efforts and strategies to promote and implement quality growth visioning, planning, and development in the ten county Middle Tennessee region.
Summit attendees will be provided a progress report and have the chance to provide real time input regarding regional thinking and actions concerning: Transportation/Transit, Quality Growth and Sustainable Development, Infrastructure, Open Space Conservation, Air and Water Quantity and Quality, and Economic Competitiveness.
Presentations will include a strategies and action session for the Middle Tennessee HUD Regional Planning Grant, national speakers to share knowledge and compare regional efforts on core issues, and federal government leaders to educate regional leaders and organizations on current sustainable communities initiative policy and funding opportunities to support and motivate our region’s actions.
The Power of 10 Regional Summit brings together over 500 regional leaders and organizations in business, government, and non-profit sectors interested in working collaboratively to address the challenges and opportunities created by regional growth.
CRT Director, Bridget Jones, describes the importance of regional thinking and planning. “As the latest U.S. Census numbers indicate people want to live in Middle Tennessee. Our region is poised to work together to insure we grow and develop in a way that insures wise use of our resources, preserves our natural landscapes and unique communities, and keeps the region positioned for economic competitiveness in the 21st Century.”
The Summit will take place from 1 pm till 5:15 pm with a reception to follow. Tickets are $30 for private sector participants and free to public employees.

For more information on the summit and to register go online to 10power.org.

Cumberland Region Tomorrow (CRT) and the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will host the annual Power of 10 Regional Summit on May 25th, 2010 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The theme of this years summit Our Region Grows Together will focus on continued efforts and strategies to promote and implement quality growth development in the ten county Middle Tennessee region.

What we’ll do:

Provide an update on progress towards our Six Issues of Regional Importance identified by regional research for the 2009 Regional Summit:
Regional Transportation/Transit
Regional Land Use/Quality Growth and Sustainable Development
Regional Infrastructure
Regional Open Space Conservation
Regional Air and Water Quality and Quantity
Regional Economic Competitiveness
Gather real time input from summit participants regarding regional values and planned actions to advance our region
Present the Middle Tennessee HUD Regional Planning Grant – Three Year Strategies and Actions – to confirm shared goals, mutual benefits, and collaborative actions necessary for our collective success
Who we’ll hear from:

National Keynote Speaker to share knowledge and compare our efforts with peer cities and regions
National Federal Government Leader to educate regional business leaders, government representatives and interested non- profit agencies on current Sustainable Communities Initiative policies and funding
Regional Leaders Panel to inform summit participants on completed regional plans or regional efforts in progress toward our Six Issues of Regional Importance
The Summit will take place from 1 pm till 5:15 pm with a reception to follow. Tickets are $30 for private sector participants and free to public employees.

For more information on the summit and to register visit: 10power.org