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Special Programs of Interest
Strengthening Rural Families initiative, a partnership between the RMC and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) program, which provides financial support to rural-serving nonprofits.
MARBIDCO -- The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation
News of Interest
Also: Local Economic Developers Learn about New and Ongoing Resources for Small Business Development
National Rural Technology Summit Held in D.C.
(July 2010) -- The U.S. Department of Education and The Smithsonian Institution hosted the National Rural Education Technology Summit on July 21 in Washington D.C. The Summit was designed to convene experts in education and technology to share innovative practices and effective models for improving teaching and learning in rural schools. The presentations and discussions focused on how rural schools can use technology to overcome the challenges of distance and isolation. The RMC attended along with 150 people from 26 states.
During the Summit, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the formation of an Online Learning Registry to provide access to historical, artistic and scientific primary source materials, like those found at the Smithsonian. Many of these resources have associated educational materials that have been created by education professionals and some are available online. But currently it can be difficult to find and make sense of this vast array of resources available across numerous agencies. For instance, several agencies have educational materials about the first moon landings, but teachers and other educators may not know that or be able to find it, at least not easily. The registry will help ensure that educators and students have easy access to all those materials. The registry is expected to be available in about 18 months. The registry was one of the recommendations in the FCC's national Broadband Plan, released in March. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski also spoke at the Summit. Various speakers also outlined the Obama Administration's proposal to reauthorize the Elemntary and Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind).
For more information about the Summit.
Also, read Education Weeks's blog on the many events at the Summit (Be sure to scroll down.)
Local Economic Developers Learn about New and Ongoing Resources for Small Business Development
(July 2010) -- The quarterly Business Resource Network (BRN) Meeting, sponsored by DBED, allows local rural economic development professionals to interact, share ideas, talk about what's working and learn from each other. On July 15, Economic developers on the Eastern Shore met in Talbot County to discuss "How to Move Forward in Economic Development with Few Resources." During the meeting, some new and on-going resources that are available to local communities were presented.
- Greg Cole, Director of Financial Program, DBED, presented information about the: Maryland Industrial Developmetn Financing Authority Small Business Credit Recovery Program, Recovery Zone Bonds and the U.S. Department of Energy Financial Institutions partnership Program. For more information, contact Greg at 410-767-6376 or email him at: gcole@choosemaryland.org
- Doris Mason, Labor Exchange Administrator, at DLLR discussed the criteria of the Hiring Incentive Rebate for Employers (HIRE) that provides a $5,000 tax credit to those businesses that hire someone on the unemployement roles. See FAQs on the program. For more information. Or contact Doris at 410-822-3030, ext 301 or at: damson@dllr.state.md.us
- Natalie Chabot, Economic Development Director of Cambridge on the Eastern Shore, reported that the town receoved $1 million for revitalization of their Maplet Street Neighborhood initiative by receiving a Smart Site Designation, which allow the state to help fund site specific capital projects For more information
- Deborah Urry, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center at Chesapeake College, spoke about working with local employers to ensure the college offers the training and degree programs required of local employers. The Center will hold an open house, called Degree Information Night, on August 4 in Room HEC 100 at Chesapeake College from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event will provide information about the Center's Bachelor's degree programs in Business Administration, criminal justice, social work, trades and industry teacher certification, teacher certification; and its Graduate degree program in Business administration, education instruction and social work. For more information. Or call 410-827-5761 or email.
For more information about quarterly BRN meetings, email Mindy Burgoyne at DBED.
Archives
MDP Unveils Required Online Course:
The Maryland Department of Planning has released its "Planning Commission,
Planning Board and Board of Appeals Education Course," required by "The Smart and
Sustainable Growth Act of 2009" (SB 280/HB 297). All current members of local
planning commissions and boards and boards of appeals should have completed the education
course before July 1, 2010. This is an on-going educational requirement, however, so
new members must complete an education course within six months of their appointment.
The online course is also available on paper and CD-ROM by contacting MDP.
This new requirement applies to all local governments with planning authority.
The law also authorizes counties and municipalities to develop their own educational
course if they choose.
Access the Online Course Here