Location: Nationwide
Website: betterblock.org
The Better Block project started in April, 2010, when a group of community organizers, neighbors, and property owners gathered together to revitalize a single commercial block in an underused neighborhood corridor.
The area was filled with vacant properties, wide streets, and few amenities for people who lived within walking distance. The group brought together all of the resources from the community and converted the block into a walkable, bikeable neighborhood destination for people of all ages complete with bike lanes, cafe seating, trees, plants, pop-up businesses, and lighting.
The project was developed to show the city how the block could be revived and improve area safety, health, and economics if ordinances that restricted small business and multi-modal infrastructure were removed. Since that time, Better Block projects have been developed throughout the World with many of the temporary infrastructure
improvements and businesses made permanent.
The Better Block is an open-sourced project that is free to re-use and build upon. This site is developed to provide help for communities who wish to build their own Better Blocks complete with news, tools, and other resources anyone may need to help rapidly revitalize neighborhoods.
We’ve found it’s best to address the following four areas when developing a Better Block, which we will break down in greater depth.
Safety (Real and Perceived)–
First and foremost, if an area feels unsafe then everything breaks down. Whether it be businesses, schools, or neighborhood revitalization, the key to changing a place is addressing its perceived safety. When approaching blocks, we ask the questions:
Does it feel safe to cross the street?
Does it feel safe to stand on the sidewalk?
Does the area have hidden corners or large obstacles that reduce open sightlines?
Do the businesses have bars on the windows or opaque windows?
Our goal is to address each of these questions and find ways to improve the area rapidly.
Shared Access – The next goal we focus on is looking at ways to bring more people into the area by various modes of transportation.
We ask the questions:
Do pedestrians have easy and clear access to the area?
Do bicycles feel welcome in the area?
Is the area easily accessible from neighborhoods?
Are there way finding signs that direct people into and out of the area?
Are there amenities that allow people to linger in the space (seating, tables, etc.)?
Stay Power – How can we encourage people to visit the area and have them linger, and invite their friends?
Are there food options on the block?
Are there places to eat outdoors?
Are there maps, bulletin boards, games, or other amenities that encourage people to linger?
Is the identity of the area prominent (arts district, cultural district, historic area)?
Lastly, we look at amenities that create invitations for children, seniors, and dog owners on a block. These groups tend to be indicators of a healthy environment that feels welcoming and attracts other people.
Showing posts with label Business Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business Development. Show all posts
Friday, June 5, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
The Milken Institute
Location: International
Website: www.best-cities.org
A nonprofit, nonpartisan economic think tank, the Milken Institute works to improve lives around the world by advancing innovative economic and policy solutions that create jobs, widen access to capital, and enhance health. We produce rigorous, independent economic research — and maximize its impact by convening global leaders from the worlds of business, finance, government, and philanthropy. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, we transform great ideas into action.
Website: www.best-cities.org
A nonprofit, nonpartisan economic think tank, the Milken Institute works to improve lives around the world by advancing innovative economic and policy solutions that create jobs, widen access to capital, and enhance health. We produce rigorous, independent economic research — and maximize its impact by convening global leaders from the worlds of business, finance, government, and philanthropy. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, we transform great ideas into action.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Catapult Fund
Location: New Orleans, LA
Website: www.jazzandheritage.org
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation is partnering with four organizations to create a new program that will provide opportunities for business training and access to funding for entrepreneurs in the arts.
Catapult Fund seeks applications from arts- and culture-based businesses in Louisiana. Applicants tell us about their businesses idea, explain why it fills a void in our cultural economy and show why they need the training and access to funding.
We’ll review the applications, and nine to 12 business owners will be accepted into the “Catapult Boot Camp” – a nine-session program, over an eight week period, of business development training that will include instruction in:
- Credit
- Budgeting
- Marketing
- Social Media
- Financing
- Accounting
- Bookkeeping
- Networking
- Insurance
And more.
Participants will learn to write and produce a high-quality business plan that is suitable for seeking investments or loans. Those who complete the program will also have the opportunity to earn up to $1,000 in matching funds toward their business’ saving. Finally, those who complete the training will submit their business plans to us for funding consideration. We will award a total of $50,000 in grants to the best plans.
The Catapult Fund is a program of the Jazz and Heritage Foundation, which is providing the funding and overall coordination. The project is in some ways a successor to an older program called S.E.E.D. (Supporting and Enfranchising Economic Development), which gave micro-loans to businesses in partnership with a local bank from 1994 to 2005.
"The Jazz and Heritage Foundation has over the years provided millions of dollars in grant funding to nonprofits and education programs through our Community Partnership Grants,” said Executive Director Don Marshall. "With the explosion of entrepreneurship in our region, we also want to support those businesses working in the arts that are contributing to the development of a sustainable cultural industry."
The Catapult fund is an example of how we're continuing to find ways to support our community with innovative new programs. Our partners in the Catapult Fund are:
The Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, which will oversee the online application process;
Capital One, which programs and operates the Getting Down to Business “boot-camp” workshops in partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center and;
The Ashe Cultural Arts Center, which will assist with community outreach.
Both the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation and the Ashé Cultural Center will provide help with the application process, including instructional online “webinars” and in-person help with understanding the program guidelines and completing applications. We wanted to distinguish ourselves from other entrepreneurship assistance programs by reaching deep into the grass-roots community, and making sure everyone knows about this opportunity,” Marshall said.
Website: www.jazzandheritage.org
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation is partnering with four organizations to create a new program that will provide opportunities for business training and access to funding for entrepreneurs in the arts.
Catapult Fund seeks applications from arts- and culture-based businesses in Louisiana. Applicants tell us about their businesses idea, explain why it fills a void in our cultural economy and show why they need the training and access to funding.
We’ll review the applications, and nine to 12 business owners will be accepted into the “Catapult Boot Camp” – a nine-session program, over an eight week period, of business development training that will include instruction in:
- Credit
- Budgeting
- Marketing
- Social Media
- Financing
- Accounting
- Bookkeeping
- Networking
- Insurance
And more.
Participants will learn to write and produce a high-quality business plan that is suitable for seeking investments or loans. Those who complete the program will also have the opportunity to earn up to $1,000 in matching funds toward their business’ saving. Finally, those who complete the training will submit their business plans to us for funding consideration. We will award a total of $50,000 in grants to the best plans.
The Catapult Fund is a program of the Jazz and Heritage Foundation, which is providing the funding and overall coordination. The project is in some ways a successor to an older program called S.E.E.D. (Supporting and Enfranchising Economic Development), which gave micro-loans to businesses in partnership with a local bank from 1994 to 2005.
"The Jazz and Heritage Foundation has over the years provided millions of dollars in grant funding to nonprofits and education programs through our Community Partnership Grants,” said Executive Director Don Marshall. "With the explosion of entrepreneurship in our region, we also want to support those businesses working in the arts that are contributing to the development of a sustainable cultural industry."
The Catapult fund is an example of how we're continuing to find ways to support our community with innovative new programs. Our partners in the Catapult Fund are:
The Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, which will oversee the online application process;
Capital One, which programs and operates the Getting Down to Business “boot-camp” workshops in partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center and;
The Ashe Cultural Arts Center, which will assist with community outreach.
Both the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation and the Ashé Cultural Center will provide help with the application process, including instructional online “webinars” and in-person help with understanding the program guidelines and completing applications. We wanted to distinguish ourselves from other entrepreneurship assistance programs by reaching deep into the grass-roots community, and making sure everyone knows about this opportunity,” Marshall said.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Downtown Ithaca Alliance
Location: Ithaca, NY
Website: www.downtownithaca.com
The Ithaca Downtown Business Improvement District (IDBID), is a State of New York chartered 501c3 not-for-profit organization charged with the revitalization, development, promotion and management of downtown Ithaca. The DIBID operates as the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA).
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance has adopted the following vision statement to guide its work and operation:
- Downtown Ithaca is the economic, social, and cultural heart of Tompkins County.
- The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District will strive to preserve and develop the central downtown core as the region’s center for banking and finance, business and professional offices, government and community services, downtown residences, and as a retail destination highlighted by specialty shops, restaurants, arts and entertainment.
- Downtown serves people who live and work downtown, city and county residents, college communities, area visitors and tourists.
Founded in 1997 as the Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District.
The DIA is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors. There are 20 voting members and 4 non-voting members:
Interns are an important part of the DIA program. For-credit internship opportunities are usually available for students interested in marketing, special events and/or business development.
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is a comprehensive downtown revitalization and management program engaged in four principal areas:
- Business Retention & Development
- Marketing & Membership Services
- Government Relations & Environmental Infrastructure
- Special Events
Business Retention & Development includes:
Strategic Planning
Business Recruitment & Attraction
Business Retention
Business Expansion
Provide One-on-One Business Technical Assistance
Business Start-Up Assistance
Project Development & Facilitation
Key Property Revitalization
Marketing & Membership Services includes:
Image Marketing
Student Marketing
Conventioneer Marketing
Tourism Marketing
Regional Marketing
Merchant Communications & Liaison
Web Site
Downtown Dollars Program
Annual Dinner
Holiday Marketing
Government Relations & Environment includes:
Ambassador Program
Clean/Landscaping Supplemental Service
Safety & Security
Art in the Heart of the City
Holiday Decorations
Parking
Banners
City MOU
Community Special Events includes:
Chili Cook-Off
Ithaca Festival Craft Show
Summer Concert Series
Apple Harvest Festival
Winter Festival
Each year the DIA prepares a work plan and budget to support these and other activities.
The DIA has prepared and approved a Downtown Ithaca 2020 Strategic Plan. This strategic plan provide the blueprint and guidelines for downtown development. Each annual work plan addresses a portion of this strategic plan.
Website: www.downtownithaca.com
The Ithaca Downtown Business Improvement District (IDBID), is a State of New York chartered 501c3 not-for-profit organization charged with the revitalization, development, promotion and management of downtown Ithaca. The DIBID operates as the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA).
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance has adopted the following vision statement to guide its work and operation:
- Downtown Ithaca is the economic, social, and cultural heart of Tompkins County.
- The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District will strive to preserve and develop the central downtown core as the region’s center for banking and finance, business and professional offices, government and community services, downtown residences, and as a retail destination highlighted by specialty shops, restaurants, arts and entertainment.
- Downtown serves people who live and work downtown, city and county residents, college communities, area visitors and tourists.
Founded in 1997 as the Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District.
The DIA is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors. There are 20 voting members and 4 non-voting members:
Interns are an important part of the DIA program. For-credit internship opportunities are usually available for students interested in marketing, special events and/or business development.
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is a comprehensive downtown revitalization and management program engaged in four principal areas:
- Business Retention & Development
- Marketing & Membership Services
- Government Relations & Environmental Infrastructure
- Special Events
Business Retention & Development includes:
Strategic Planning
Business Recruitment & Attraction
Business Retention
Business Expansion
Provide One-on-One Business Technical Assistance
Business Start-Up Assistance
Project Development & Facilitation
Key Property Revitalization
Marketing & Membership Services includes:
Image Marketing
Student Marketing
Conventioneer Marketing
Tourism Marketing
Regional Marketing
Merchant Communications & Liaison
Web Site
Downtown Dollars Program
Annual Dinner
Holiday Marketing
Government Relations & Environment includes:
Ambassador Program
Clean/Landscaping Supplemental Service
Safety & Security
Art in the Heart of the City
Holiday Decorations
Parking
Banners
City MOU
Community Special Events includes:
Chili Cook-Off
Ithaca Festival Craft Show
Summer Concert Series
Apple Harvest Festival
Winter Festival
Each year the DIA prepares a work plan and budget to support these and other activities.
The DIA has prepared and approved a Downtown Ithaca 2020 Strategic Plan. This strategic plan provide the blueprint and guidelines for downtown development. Each annual work plan addresses a portion of this strategic plan.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Acadiana Economic Development Council
Location: Louisiana
Website: www.teamarcadiana.org
The Acadiana Economic Development Council welcomes you to Louisiana and the Acadiana region. Here you will find the location, business climate, economic development resources, workforce, and quality of life necessary to establish and grow your business.
The Acadiana Economic Development Council, Inc. (AEDC) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization founded by local economic developers and incorporated in 2004. AEDC represents the primary economic development organizations in the Acadiana Parishes (Counties) of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion.
Explore our website. Discover Acadiana's diversity and the resources available to existing, expanding and relocating businesses, or request more information at info@teamacadiana.org.
Website: www.teamarcadiana.org
The Acadiana Economic Development Council welcomes you to Louisiana and the Acadiana region. Here you will find the location, business climate, economic development resources, workforce, and quality of life necessary to establish and grow your business.
The Acadiana Economic Development Council, Inc. (AEDC) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization founded by local economic developers and incorporated in 2004. AEDC represents the primary economic development organizations in the Acadiana Parishes (Counties) of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion.
Explore our website. Discover Acadiana's diversity and the resources available to existing, expanding and relocating businesses, or request more information at info@teamacadiana.org.
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