EPA Invites Communities to Apply for Assistance to Build Resilience, Pursue Revitalization

EPA Invites Communities to Apply for Assistance to Build
Resilience, Pursue Revitalization

The EPA on Oct. 23 invited communities to apply for technical
assistance to implement smart growth development approaches. EPA is offering
this technical assistance through the Building
Blocks for Sustainable Communities program to help communities across
the country–including underserved communities, coastal communities, small
cities and rural areas–adopt sustainable growth strategies. The program aims
to increase resilience to natural disasters and strengthen the economy while
protecting human health and the environment. Building Blocks provides quick,
targeted technical assistance to communities using tools with demonstrated
results and widespread application.

Communities may apply for assistance on one or more of the following topics:

Bikeshare
planning

Equitable
development

Infill
development for distressed cities

Sustainable
strategies for small cities and rural areas

Flood
resilience for riverine and coastal communities

If selected, a community will work with an EPA-supported team of
experts during a one-to-two-day workshop, where participants will learn about
relevant strategies, policies, and practices.

EPA will select up to 25 communities through a competitive process. Selections
will be made in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development and the US Department of Transportation through the Partnership for
Sustainable Communities. This interagency collaboration coordinates federal
investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results
for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently.

Applications will be accepted between Oct. 23 and Nov. 20, 2014. EPA
will host a webinar to discuss the program and the application process Oct. 30, 2014, from 3 to 4 p.m. EDT.

Learn
about the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

Read
the Request for Letters of Interest: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/buildingblocks/Building-Blocks-RFLI-2014.pdf

Learn
about the webinar: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/webinars/index.html