Sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) and UD's Center for Community Research and Service, the new Blueprint Communities initiative provides each team with community development training valued at approximately $25,000, a mini-grant and improved access to funding sources.
The Delaware program follows similar programs in Pennsylvania and West Virginia begun in 2005 and 2007 involving a total of 32 communities.
Delaware's new Blueprint Communities were chosen based on their current capacity to plan and implement community revitalization initiatives and assemble diverse, broad-based teams that will develop detailed strategic plans for their communities' futures. The new Blueprint Communities announced by UD President Patrick Harker are: Belvedere/Cedar Heights and Vicinity (Wilmington area); Dover Community Partnership; East Side, Wilmington; Edgemoor (Wilmington area); Hilltop/Little Italy, Wilmington; Historic Overlook Colony Vicinity (Wilmington area); Riverside Initiative, Wilmington; Rose Hill, New Castle County; and Second District, Wilmington.
“This project is an excellent example of the power of partnership, something the University of Delaware believes is essential to the advancement of the state, the region, the nation and the world,” UD Harker said. “UD's Center for Community Research and Service has a distinguished history of working with organizations and communities to promote social and economic justice, and we are proud to join with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh to sponsor this significant initiative.”
The $25,000 in benefits that each community team receives as part of Blueprint Communities training includes:
- Six days of community revitalization training by UD's Center for Community Research and Service, including materials, meals and lodging;
- A community profile, including important key indicators and trends for planning;
- Access to a community development consultant for coaching and resources;
- A mini-grant for technical assistance, project implementation or predevelopment needs after successful involvement in training; and
- Improved access to funding sources upon successful completion of the program.
UD's Center for Community Research and Service will be primarily responsible for team training, which begins in April and runs periodically through January 2009. Teams that develop a clear vision for their community's future and a comprehensive strategic plan will be given access to a network of potential public and private funders for coordinated investments as well as ongoing technical training.
FHLBank Pittsburgh is setting aside funds in its Banking On Business and First Front Door community investment programs to assist Blueprint Communities in small business startup and growth and first-time homeownership. Competitive scoring criteria for the Bank's Affordable Housing Program also have been aligned to support projects from communities that have holistic development plans, which should aid Blueprint Communities seeking grant money for affordable housing construction and rehabilitation.
FHLBank is providing approximately $250,000 to cover expenses associated with Blueprint Communities training, while Delaware Community Investment Corporation has contributed $100,000 to be used as seed grants by Blueprint Communities once they have completed training.
Blueprint Communities program partners include: Delaware Community Foundation; Delaware Community Investment Corp.; Delaware Community Legal Aid Society; Delaware State Housing Authority; First State Community Action Agency; First State Community Loan Fund; State of Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination; United Way of Delaware; Wachovia; Wilmington Savings Fund Society (WSFS); and Wilmington Trust Co.
Financial institutions that have representatives on the nine Blueprint Communities teams include: Citicorp; Trust Bank; JPMorganChase; PNC Bank; WSFS; and Wilmington Trust.
For more information, visit [www.BlueprintCommunities.com].
Article by Martin Mbugua
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson