[OMS_MANAGERS] Check out this email with info on grants, small business Saturday, OMS conference, and more

[STUART Sheri * OPRD]

1.       Oregon Main Street Annual Conference

Just a reminder that registration is now open for the 2014 Oregon Main Street Conference, October 1-3, 2014, in lovely, downtown McMinnville. Please register at http://www.2014omsconference.eventbrite.com  to reserve your space! Remember, attendance is free for communities participating in the Oregon Main Street Network and to Certified Local Government communities - if you are receiving this email, that means we have you on our Network contact list. Attendance at the conference fulfills one of your training requirements to maintain status in the Oregon Main Street Network (Performing Main Street and Transforming Downtown level communities are required to attend all our trainings; Exploring Downtown and Affiliate level communities are just  required to attend one of our trainings per year).


2.       Creative Placemaking Grant Opportunity
ArtPlace America is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry for the 2015 round of its National Grants Program. Since 2011, ArtPlace has contributed $56.8 million to 189 projects across 42 states and the District of Columbia. This year ArtPlace intends to support approximately 40 projects with roughly $10 million. These grants target creative placemaking projects, in which art and culture help strengthen the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities. Any individual or organization within the United States or U.S. Territories is eligible to apply. For more information or to submit an application, please visit www.ArtPlaceAmerica.org/LOI<http://www.ArtPlaceAmerica.org/LOI>. The submission deadline is November 3rd at 3:59pm EST.


3.       Smart Growth America Technical Assistance Workshops

Is your community interested in creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, but not sure where to start?

Smart Growth America's technical assistance workshops can help. Our experts can work with your community to understand your goals, show how development strategies can help achieve goals, and provide ideas to make it happen. Each year Smart Growth America offers a limited number of these workshops at no charge, and we're proud to announce that applications are now open for our 2015 free technical assistance workshops. Now in its fourth year, our free technical assistance program has helped over 50 communities grow in ways that benefit residents and businesses while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place. Visit our website to learn about this year's opportunity, including the types of workshops available and information about how to apply. Applications are due by October 23, 2014 at 5:00 PM EDT. http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/technical-assistance/free-annual-workshops



4.       Become a Neighborhood Champion by October 16 at ShopSmall.com/Mainstreet

In partnership with American Express, the National Main Street Center would like to invite you to become a Neighborhood Champion for Small Business Saturday(r) to help make Nov 29 one of the biggest days of the year for your local small businesses. In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help business owners with their most pressing need - getting more customers. Four years later, the day continues to rally shoppers nationwide to support local small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Help your community participate in Small Business Saturday this year by becoming a Neighborhood Champion. In 2013, nearly 1,500 individuals and local organizations signed up to rally their neighborhoods to celebrate the day.

As a Neighborhood Champion, you can make an impact by:

*    Organizing a neighborhood event to get your community excited about the day

*    Rallying your local small businesses to participate and encouraging your neighborhood to Shop Small(r)

Commit to be a Neighborhood Champion by October 16 and you will receive a Small Business Saturday Event Kit containing branded merchandise including items such as balloons, mats, and shopping bags to help support your event on the day.
For inspiration on how to rally your neighborhood, Neighborhood Champions can check out Event Guides on ShopSmall.com and will also receive monthly emails filled with helpful planning resources to help prepare for the day. See Terms of Participation for additional details.

Commit to be a Neighborhood Champion today at ShopSmall.com/Mainstreet


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