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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Call for Photos<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Help NMSC spotlight your Main Street programs during this year’s virtual
<a href="https://www.mainstreet.org/howwecanhelp/mainstreetnow/now2021">Main Street Now Conference</a>. They are looking for photos from across the last 40 years as well photos illustrating the innovation of Main Streets throughout COVID: mask-up initiatives,
open street programming, window displays, safe shopping, etc. Select photos will be used throughout the conference.
<b>Photo submissions are due Friday, March 5</b>. Photos must be 1mb or higher to be considered. Submissions can be emailed to
<a href="mailto:aarmato@savingplaces.org">aarmato@savingplaces.org</a>. Please include photo credit details in submission email.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Funding Oppportunities<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Deadline Extended: Main Street Resiliency Grant Program.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Due to the inclement weather and power outages many in our Network are experiencing, we extended the deadline for
<a href="https://mainstreet.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1&id=418d73bd8a&e=ca2e50304d">
Main Street Resiliency Grant</a> applications. Exclusively available to Main Street America member communities, this grant program will provide ten members $8,500 each to fund innovative revitalization efforts to address the current and/or legacy impacts of
COVID-19. <b>The application is now open until 11:59pm PST on Wednesday, February 24.
</b><a href="https://mainstreet.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=881199cb2d0b2894c01ba06c1&id=418d73bd8a&e=ca2e50304d">Learn more</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>American Express Shop Small ‘Order In, Help Out’ Innovation Challenge<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We recently teamed up with American Express to launch the Shop Small ‘Order In, Help Out’ Innovation Challenge. The campaign is part of American Express’s ‘<a href="https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/neighborhoodchampions/?linknav=us-loy-nav-neighborhoodchampions">Order
In, Help Out’</a> Initiative. Find graphics from American Express <a href="https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/downloadmaterials/?template=DINE-SMALL_NEIGHBORHOOD-CHAMPION-ASSETS&extlink=va-us-GABM-SS_Dine_Small_NC_RTU_2021">
here</a>. And, here’s a blurb to market: <span style="font-family:inherit;color:#050505">
Now more than ever, the local restaurants on our Main Streets need some extra support. That’s why Main Street America has team up with American Express to launch the American Express Shop Small 'Order, In, Help Out’ Innovation Challenge! Tell them how your
downtown is encouraging your community to support local eateries for an opportunity to win. The first-place winner will receive $5,000. The second-place winner will receive $2,500, and five third-place winners will receive $1,000 each in recognition of their
efforts. Entries must be Main Street America members as of 2/16/21 to be eligible.
<b>Entries are open now until 12:00 p.m. CT March 17!</b> </span><a href="http://bit.ly/3jYzoOr"><span style="font-family:inherit">Learn more and enter here</span></a><span style="font-family:inherit;color:#050505">. Official Rules apply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b>Backing Historic Small Restaurants<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">New grant program, <em><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><a href="https://u10131970.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=NGW02fv4qyZDnvikgPKUxmfbhox7UQvDpw1wrH3hBAq9qphN9SLNaUoH8i02M6s2Yws4Udgg9OdI6aog8vWzEA-3D-3DfsVL_abqmT7hZYB3B-2BTuLua0z4EcPP9xHvRK-2F-2FzEwuxkS1tiuXWfeLpjGM3o19QxIp8OoQpMjCRhJuS8-2FHPIppeLpiSHjRZnYYvi0ViEauuWTgmXO3m-2FQ0KjhICHBJ5yEMWTpQOgjytjZYuyiy8nDDBFu48HGAftXZbLzJFbEqEvUCYcM7CFJSlx7Fxhle9SCwoOma9k-2BxATRz5hdBbciza4L3rDIg9uhJQAT83PKZ4-2BRn2GklEl7jcQuim427VpCmpHVvPo5z5jlFmp3vVHGG2M5zQ-3D-3D">Backing
Historic Small Restaurants</a></span></em> – presented by American Express in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation – is<strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> now accepting nominations.
</span></strong>The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, March 9 at 11:59 p.m. EST.<strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
</span></strong>Program information and the nomination form can be found here: <a href="https://u10131970.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=NGW02fv4qyZDnvikgPKUxmfbhox7UQvDpw1wrH3hBAq9qphN9SLNaUoH8i02M6s2Yws4Udgg9OdI6aog8vWzEA-3D-3DqTwL_abqmT7hZYB3B-2BTuLua0z4EcPP9xHvRK-2F-2FzEwuxkS1tiuXWfeLpjGM3o19QxIp8Oo9EeLZBEJ0T3ly9GcR6Z-2BpcsyoE8x366RKzGZI4jrSxi6FyjI7fLXSekUmt1xAFutug3JFFBP0ATCLsreiik5drxFDGeepOvDiPFdnETFTEhFdbXgGpLQxHLmLVoj10hllsF2dnvSXna54vkzOfRI-2FC7SyD9QFuFx3BGwuTzwGjzCKfC2MeIGc09NQeuLUyjiWpRjx5CcrEPyxbNay7ENYA-3D-3D">
https://savingplaces.org/historicrestaurants</a><b> </b>For this grant program, NTHP wants your help to identify iconic restaurants located in historic buildings that are anchors of their historic neighborhoods! 25 small restaurants will receive $40,000 in
grant funds and additional support from partners including Main Street America, AT&T Business, Dell Technologies, and National Restaurant Association. Grant Criteria: Have experienced significant financial hardship due to the impacts of the pandemic. Have
contributed to the neighborhood’s history and/or the identity of a particular neighborhood or community for at least 25 years. Be a small/independently owned restaurant located in a historic building and/or historic neighborhood. Preference will be given to
businesses owned by underrepresented groups, including People of Color and women, disproportionally impacted by the pandemic. Priority will be given to small restaurants who have not already received significant COVID-19-related aid. These grant funds can
be used for “sprucing up” the exteriors of the restaurants as well as for marketing to support these important community anchors.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AARP Community Challenge Grant.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does your organization have an idea for a project in your community - maybe an outdoor mural, park updates, innovative bus stop, or community garden? Apply for AARP Livable’s Community Challenge grant! AARP’s Community Challenge is aimed
at sparking change and improving the quality of life for people of all ages in communities nationwide.
<b>Applications accepted through Wednesday, April 14.</b> <a href="https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/?cmp=RDRCT-61887811-20200707">
Learn more</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Apply for National Fund for Sacred Places.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://savingplaces.org/national-fund-for-sacred-places">
National Fund for Sacred Places</a> provides training, planning grants, technical assistance, capacity-building support, and capital grants up to $250,000 to congregations of all faiths.
<b>Apply for funding by Monday, March 15.</b> <a href="https://savingplaces.org/national-fund-for-sacred-places">
Learn more</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Professional Development<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Spread the Word: Main Street Now Conference.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oregon Main Street still has a few scholarships available to attend the <a href="https://www.mainstreet.org/howwecanhelp/mainstreetnow/now2021">Main Street Now Conference</a> on April 12-14. With a strong lineup of topical themes, a new
platform for connecting, and a new track specifically for small business owners, 2021 is going to be a Main Street Conference experience like no other. Also, NMSC is asking for help in spreading the word! Get started by using this
<a href="https://www.mainstreet.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=e3b90c4d-d3b9-44fe-96cc-4ad6223b6e03&forceDialog=0">
sample text</a> and these <a href="https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NMSC/UploadedImages/2c594824-b492-4beb-ace1-261b5811c0c5/_2021/2_8.21/MSN21_media_assets.zip">
social media graphics</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here's their<i> </i><a href="https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NMSC/390e0055-2395-4d3b-af60-81b53974430d/UploadedImages/Education___Training/Now21/MSN21_schedule_at_a_glance_final.png"><i>schedule-at-a-glance</i></a><i> for more
details.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>MSAI Leadership Development Workshop Commences Next Month.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Empowering revitalization professionals with advanced tools and strategies to connect, motivate, and lead people effectively, the
<a href="https://mainstreet.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:140">Leadership Development Workshop</a> from the Main Street America Institute begins next month! This four-day interactive workshop will focus on emotional and conversational intelligence will enrich
participants’ knowledge base, strengthen their personal and interpersonal skills, and elevate their position as successful revitalization leaders. Modules start March 11.
<a href="https://mainstreet.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:140">Learn more</a>. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#4F6228">Sheri Stuart
</span></b><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#4F6228">(she, her, hers) </span>
</b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">| Oregon Main Street Coordinator</span><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#4F6228"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:3.0pt;color:#A6A6A6">___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Desk: (503)986-0679 cell: (503)551-3705<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">www.oregonmainstreet.org<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">725 Summer St NE, Ste C<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Salem, Oregon 97301<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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