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| 2009 | December |
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ED-Central
Over the course of the last three years, TEEX has provided technical assistance and economic development training to more than 300 communities, economic developers and local leaders throughout Texas. In this issue of ED-Central, TEEX announces a matching technical assistance grant program that will allow rural communities to take advantage of the Rural Jump Start program and pay only 50% of the cost. Read on to learn more about the program, an upcoming teleconference for more information and how to apply. Based on our experiences and feedback from economic development partners across the state, TEEX developed the Rural Jump Start technical assistance program and will focus our technical assistance for rural communities on this program during 2010. The Rural Jump Start technical assistance program provides rural communities with the enhanced capacity and planning required to move rural communities down a unified path toward economic prosperity. TEEX has limited funds available to offset a portion of the cost of assistance to the local community and is requesting applications from qualified rural communities interested in participating in a Rural Jump Start program. Each Rural Jump Start program costs $50,000. TEEX will contribute one-half of the total project cost for each participating community and the local community will be expected to provide the remaining half of the cost ($25,000). In 2010, the program will be limited to five rural communities. This request for applications outlines the elements of the Rural Jump Start technical assistance program, the program timeline and application process. In addition, TEEX will host a teleconference on December 14, 2009 to review the program and application process and answer questions. Participation in the teleconference is strongly encouraged. THE RURAL JUMP START TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The program features three phases led by TEEX economic development professionals:
Developed for economic development directors, elected officials and community leaders, the Rural Jump Start Program is three fold: an educational seminar, a planning workshop and a promotional venue for gaining regional and state support. Rural Jump Start is designed to provide leaders with the opportunity to learn techniques and tools for building their economic base while networking with colleagues and state agency officials to identify opportunities for collaboration and cooperation that will benefit and encourage economic development. BENEFITS TO RURAL JUMP START COMMUNITIES
RURAL JUMP START COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES
TEEX RESPONSIBILITIES
PROGRAM TIMELINE
TEEX anticipates launching approximately one Rural Jump Start community program every six weeks. Each program will require approximately six months to complete. TEEX is pursuing an aggressive time line for planning and implementation of the 2010 Rural Jump Start technical assistance program and as such encourages all applicants to submit their applications by the January 25 deadline. Applications received after this deadline will be considered only if insufficient qualified applications are made by the deadline. Should sufficient applications be received and projects funded, late applications will be reserved and considered if additional funding becomes available. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA The Rural Jump Start technical assistance program is targeted to rural communities with populations less than 20,000 and more than 50 miles from a major metropolitan area. Local economic development organizations, cities, chambers of commerce and other non-governmental organizations involved in supporting economic development may apply. The most successful rural communities have strong leadership with the will to unify behind a single economic development strategy. The program application questionnaire solicits information that will provide TEEX with insights into the unique situation in each community. Please use the application form to demonstrate your community’s economic development leadership and commitment to economic growth. TEEX will consider the following criteria when reviewing applications. Demonstrated Local Economic Development LeadershipEconomic development leadership may take many forms, particularly in rural communities. Active boards and committees, chambers of commerce, cooperation between local and county governments, economic development staff activities (full, part time, volunteer), participation in economic development training, participation in regional economic development activities, and acknowledgement of need for economic development planning are all examples of local economic development leadership. Capacity for Local and/or Regional CollaborationSuccessful economic development in rural communities requires collaboration among a wide variety of partners. Applicants may or may not have accomplished significant local or regional collaboration but should use the application to point out examples that indicate a capacity and desire to overcome jurisdictional and institutional differences and work toward a common goal. Examples of local/regional collaboration might include joint projects between city and county governments, collaborative efforts between schools and city government, work with chambers of commerce, historical societies, recreational organizations, etc. Demonstrated Financial CommitmentThe local community will be expected to pay $25,000 which is equivalent to one half of the cost of the Rural Jump Start Program. HOW TO APPLY Communities interested in applying to become a Rural Jump Start community should:
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