News and Updates
December 21, 2012

As this will be our last News and Updates of 2012, let us say HAPPY HOLIDAYS and HAPPY NEW YEAR.  We look forward to continuing to work with all of you in 2013!

This Week's Contents:

Project Updates:

• Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Request for Proposal (RFP) for NGO Micro-Grant Program is Now Available

Upcoming Events

• Local Demonstration Project Information Session - January 9, 2013
• NGO Micro-Grant Information Session - January 10, 2013
• "Bridging the Gap" - CBO Workshop - January 17, 2013

Learning Opportunities and Resources

• HUD Provides Map on Sandy Damage Estimates by Block Group

Other News

• Together North Jersey member Jersey City's Canal Crossing project showcased by HUD
• Together North Jersey Seeks Photo Submissions for Website
• New Jersey Future seeking Nominations for Smart Growth Awards

 

Project Updates

NGO Micro-Grant - NOFA and RFP are Now Available
The NOFA and RFP for the NGO Micro-Grant Program is available on the Together North Jersey website.   The NGO Micro-Grant Program will provide financial assistance to non-governmental organizations to meaningfully participate in the development of the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development (RPSD) for Northern New Jersey.  Through the NGO Micro-Grant Program, Together North Jersey seeks to partner with community-based organizations or other groups at the local level that regularly interact with, are trusted by, or include members of traditionally underrepresented populations.  An information session will also be held for the NGO Micro-Grant program on January 10, 2013 at 10:00 am at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Policy, 33 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick, NJ. Please register here.   We encourage all potential applicant to attend - though it is not required.  Questions about this program should be directed to David Aimen (david.aimen@ejb.rutgers.edu, 848-932-2855).  More information about the program can be found on the Together North Jersey website.

Upcoming events

 
Local Demonstration Project (LDP) Information Session - January 9, 2013
The Third Info Session will be held on January 9, 2013 from 9 am to 12 pm at Raritan Valley Community College, Conference Center, Room A 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ.   As a reminder, he deadline for the first round of LDP applications has been extended from Monday, January 7th to Monday, February 4th, with a second round of applications due Monday, April 8th. For more information on the LDP program, please click here.

NGO MIcro-Grant Information Session - January 10, 2013
An information session will  be held for the NGO Micro-Grant program on January 10, 2013 at 10:00 am at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Policy, 33 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick, NJ. Please register here.   We encourage all potential applicant to attend - though it is not required.

"Bridging the Gap" - CBO Workshop - January 17, 2013
The purpose of this workshop is to “bridge the gap” between planners and community based organizations and to promote awareness of APA-NJ’s Community Planning Assistance Program.  The workshop will provide a platform for community based organizations to better understand the role of city and regional planners in community development, and acquire access to information that can help them become strong and sustainable entities within their mission area.  The workshop will also give planners an opportunity to learn more about CBOs, what they do, and their planning needs.  The workshop is co-sponsored by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association and TOGETHER NORTH JERSEY.  For more information, including registration info, click here.

Learning Opportunities and Resources

HUD Provides Map on Sandy Damage Estimates by Block Group
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided an interactive map on their website that displays displays several flooding and damage indicators by block group for inspected homes.  The maps presents an analysis of block groups with 10 or more damaged housing units, one can click on a block group to view information on the type of damage and depth of flooding found by FEMA inspectors. The map data are as of 11-26-2012 and reflect Hurricane Sandy damage in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and are incomplete, each day since 11-26-2012 there have been additional registrants and additional inspections.  This should be a viewed as a preliminary snapshot to assist with planning and may be useful to your community for a variety of planning and educational activities. http://www.huduser.org/maps/map_sandy_blockgroup.html

Other News

Together North Jersey member Jersey City's Canal Crossing project showcased by HUD
The Sustainable Communities eNews, a national electronic publication, highlighted the Jersey City Canal Crossing Project in their "Grantee Spotlight" section.   The Canal Crossing Project calls for the 111-acre area of Brownfields to be redeveloped as a mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-oriented community designed in accordance with smart growth, new urbanism, and green building principles.  The full article can be found at http://www.huduser.org/portal/sustainability/newsletter_120612_2.html#1

Together North Jersey Seeks Photo Submissions for Website
Together North Jersey is looking for photo submissions for our new website.  We believe this website can be a great venue to showcase the beauty, diversity and dynamic nature of our great region through the inclusion of photos and images.  So in keeping with our tag-line “Connecting People, Places and Potential,”  we’d like to ask that you send us YOUR favorite images that best represent our region or your county/jurisdiction in the three categories of 1. People, 2. Places, 3. Potential.  The best photos we receive will be proudly displayed on the Together North Jersey website. Full details on photo submissions and requirements can be found on our website at http://togethernorthjersey.com/get-creative-and-share-your-photos/.

New Jersey Future Seek Nominations for Smart Growth Awards
Are you involved with an outstanding smart-growth plan or project? Enter it today in New Jersey Future’s 2013 Smart Growth Awards contest! Nominations are now open. Download more information and a nomination form here (PDF or Word.)  Please note deadline has been extended to Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. Winners will be honored at our annual Smart Growth Awards gala celebration in Newark on June 6, 2013.Since 2002, New Jersey Future has honored nearly 70 projects with Smart Growth Awards. Winners are selected from a statewide public nomination process by an independent jury of professional developers, architects, planners and redevelopment experts.  More information and entry materials are available on the awards page of New Jersey Future’s website. Information on past winners can be found here.