NPSG12-131

Still Starbucks-Free: Rural Main Streets—Small towns need vitality, too!

Speakers: Kathy Callies, Acting President, Rural Learning Center; Dennis (Denny) Ross, Mayor, City of Maupin, OR; JoAnne Bush, Mayor, City of Lake Village, AR; Chris Beck, Senior Projects Advisor, U.S.D.A.-Rural Development

Given the global economy's demand for greater economic efficiencies (fewer small farmers) and environmentally sound natural resource practices (less extraction), many rural communities are facing a dramatic shift in the economic opportunities available to them. Starbucks may not be coming any time soon, but rural leaders understand that creating great places to live and work is an essential ingredient to their economic future and have requested USDA funding for strategic, place-based investments. This session focuses on three case studies: a new meeting center in Howard, South Dakota, a revived market in Maupin, Oregon, and a historic renovation in Lake Village, Arkansas.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

NPSG12-103

Public-Private Partnership to Finance and Promote Equitable TOD

Speakers: Brian Prater, Managing Director, Western Region, Low Income Investment Fund; Doug Johnson, Senior Transportation Planner, Metropolitan Transportation Commission; Lindy Hahn, Global Sustainable Finance, Morgan Stanley

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is an important component of sustainable development. Without proactive public policy and innovative financing mechanisms, the development of new public transportation infrastructures can have a negative effect upon low-income households, by driving up land and real estate values. One of the primary financing mechanisms for the creation or preservation of affordable housing near transit has been acquisition loan funds for TOD. These pioneering funds allow borrowers to hold land for five or more years, layer capital to lower interest rates from standard acquisition loans, and create an environment in which both borrowers and the lenders take new or non traditional risk in order to ensure that low-income households can benefit from combined access to reliable public transportation and affordable housing. This session highlights such a fund, The Bay Area Transit Oriented Affordable Housing Fund, and focuses on collaboration and the elements (program, policy and innovative financing tools) that need to exist to advance equitable TOD.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

NPSG12-223

Revitalization, Gentrification, and Equitable Development: Evaluating a Decade of EPA's Programs

Speakers: Mary Nelson, Founding President, Bethel New Life; Deeohn Ferris, JD, President, Sustainable Community Development Group; Ted Howard, Evergreen Coalition; Charlie Bartsch, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Administrator for Economic Development, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, U.S. EPA; Vernice Miller-Travis, Senior Associate, Skeo Solutions

Gentrification is often defined as the transformation of neighborhoods from low value to high value. This change has the potential to cause displacement of long-time residents and businesses because of higher rents, mortgages, and property taxes. This interactive session provides an overview of EPA's efforts to promote equitable development, engages the audience, and facilitates a candid discussion about the challenges and proposed solutions at the local level for advancing truly equitable development.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

Subtotal

$30.00