The US EPA recently announced a new set of technical assistance tools available through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. The next round of applications will be accepted starting September 24. EPA is providing webinars 9/21 and 9/27 for communities interested in learning more.

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities provides quick, targeted technical assistance to selected local and/or tribal governments using a variety of tools that have demonstrated results and widespread application. The purpose of delivering these tools is to stimulate a discussion about growth and development and strengthen local capacity to implement sustainable approaches.

In 2013, EPA will select up to 44 communities for assistance. Each technical assistance project in a community will include:

• Public engagement, a one-day workshop that is open to the public.
• Direct consultation with relevant decision-makers.
• A memo outlining specific steps the community could take to implement the ideas generated during the site visit.

Technical assistance will be delivered by EPA staff and by four nonprofit organizations with extensive expertise in sustainable communities. These organizations—Forterra, Global Green USA, Project for Public Spaces, and Smart Growth America—have received grants from EPA to offer assistance using tools they have chosen.

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator for the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him by email or Twitter.

After a record-setting spring and summer, with temperatures soaring, community leaders may be looking for constructive initiatives they can undertake to help residents cope with and adapt to extreme heat. Georgetown University recently released a guide targeted specifically for local governments titled "Adapting to Urban Heat". This guide includes a number of low-cost policy options available, provides criteria to help communities decide which options to pursue, and documents results with case studies from around the country.

For more tips about greening your community, visit our Green Communities page.

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator for the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him via email or Twitter.

Michigan local governments have a new tool to earn recognition for and measure their progress in implementing energy, economic development and environmental improvements. The updated Michigan Green Communities Challenge uses a rating system to recognize sustainability accomplishments and serves as a guide for communities looking to learn from their peers. Participation is free and open to all local governments in Michigan.

Participating communities earn points for their green initiatives and bonus points for reporting quantitative data. Top achievers will receive emblems to display on their website and promotional documents and a customized press release from the network. All participating communities will be recognized at the third annual Michigan Green Communities conference Friday, November 2 at the Michigan Municipal League’s Lansing office. Register now for the conference, free of charge, at http://mml.org/green/events.php.

To coincide with the launch of the Challenge, Michigan Green Communities will be offering a series of workshops to help local government staff and officials become familiar with the reporting mechanism, an online-based checklist. These workshops should provide ample time for an individual to complete the checklist and Green Communities network members and supporting staff will be present as technical advisors. Essentially, we want these workshops to make it as easy as possible for communities to participate in the Challenge, because the larger we grow, the more opportunities emerge for your community to enhance its sustainability practices.

Workshops are free and open to any local government staff or official. We will be offering workshops September 17 in Farmington Hills, September 24 in Saginaw and September 28 in Grand Rapids. We are also planning additional workshops, as well as a webinar, for the fall. RSVP for a workshop by email here.

September 17 Workshop, 1-4pm

31555 W. Eleven Mile Road

Farmington Hills, MI

September 24 Workshop, 8:30am-2pm

Curtiss Hall

Saginaw Valley State University Main Campus

September 28 Workshop, 1-4pm

DeVos Place

303 Monroe Ave NW

Grand Rapids, MI

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator for the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him via email or Twitter.

The Michigan Green Communities network is sponsoring a free webinar tomorrow, August 15, featuring the energy financing programs of Michigan Saves. Michigan Saves, a statewide nonprofit organization, is launching a Business Energy Financing Program in partnership with a Michigan lender. This program will build on the success of its existing residential program. Learn how these programs can help residents and business owners in your community. Michigan Saves is also seeking input to help shape a special financing program targeted at municipal lighting and facility energy improvements.

Join the webinar at 10am Eastern by calling 734-794-6099 and using access code 43720. The presentation will be available by clicking this link.

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator for the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him by email or Twitter.