The Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation has asked the Michigan Municipal League to inform our members about the American Government Awards Program and how entries from Michigan communities are now being sought.

The timeline is tight - the deadline is March 1 - but your community has a chance to get a $100,000 grant to support replication and dissemination activities. In addition, top finalists will also receive monetary grants. Here are some details from the program officials: The application involves three simple questions that shouldn't take more than an hour or two to compose. Communities interested can go to this link. All units of government — federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial — from all policy areas are eligible to apply for recognition.

While we don't have $100,000 to award, the Michigan Municipal League also has a competition to recognize innovations taking place in Michigan communities. The League's Race for the Cup/Community Excellence Award competition will start next month during our 2012 Capital Conference. Competitors are given five minutes to present at their respective Regional Roundtable, held during the Capital Conference March 20 in Lansing. Following the presentations, the seminar attendees vote and the winner (for that region) is announced.

The seven region finalists go on to represent their communities in the final round at the League’s Annual Convention, where votes from every attendee are counted, and the winner is announced at the Convention’s final event. Click here for the online entry form. To register and/or learn more about Capital Conference go here: cc.mml.org.

Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org or (734) 669-6317.

EPA's State and Local Climate and Clean Energy Program recently launched a new online Financing Program Decision Tool and a Financing Program Decision Guide to help communities finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The Financing Program Decision Tool is designed for state and local government leaders in the early stages of choosing a clean energy financing program. Answer a handful of simple questions and the Tool highlights quickly the most promising program options for your jurisdiction to pursue. The Financing Program Decision Guide complements the Tool. This Guide includes the basics on financing-program options, as well as key considerations and factors for states and communities to weigh as they start up or expand their clean energy financing programs. Access the Financing Program Decision Tool and Financing Program Decision Guide.

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator with the Center for 21st Century Communities and the Green Communities Challenge. Contact him at lforrest@mml.org, 734-669-6323 or @l4est.

In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Regional Energy Demonstration Centers and the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment, the Michigan Green Communities network will host regional workshops for local government staff and officials in February 2012. The goal of these workshops is to provide venues for regional communication and collaboration opportunities between municipalities and non-profit organizations. Attendees will learn about current energy and environment projects in your region, learn from peers, see the newest tools available for your work and tour state-of-the-art energy demonstration facilities.

Each meeting will include lunch and an optional tour of the Energy Demonstration Center. There is no fee to register. Space is limited, however, so please register here ASAP. Details about the three workshops follow:

Northern Michigan Workshop

Thursday, February 16, 2012

11:30am-4:00pm

The Energy Center at Northwestern Michigan College, 1701 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686

Western Michigan Workshop

Friday, February 17, 2012

11:00am-4:00pm

Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center at Grand Valley State University, 200 Viridian Dr, Muskegon, MI 49440

Southeast Michigan Workshop

Friday, February 24, 2012

8:00am-12:30pm

NextEnergy, 461 Burroughs, Detroit MI 48202

Dwell and Sub-Zero have joined together and created the Rethinking Preservation Contest.  Submit a landmark that you think should be preserved by January 30, 2012.  Dwell will post all submissions for a popular vote to narrow them all down to the top ten.  A panel of judges will then pick the most deserving out of the top ten and award $10,000 to the preservation project.  Get your submissions in soon!!  More details can be found at http://new.dwell.com/contests/rethinking-preservation. 

Nikki Brown is the Capital Office Coordinator.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org