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FHLBank Pittsburgh and its partners have developed
Blueprint Communities, a revitalization and leadership
initiative that serves as a catalyst for creating sustainable
communities in our region.
In its inaugural year, 2005,
Blueprint Communities focused on Pennsylvania, successfully
helping 22 communities to move forward in their quest
for sustainability. Governor Rendell announced the 22
participating communities at a Banner Day kickoff ceremony
held August 9, 2005, at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.
In 2007, Blueprint Communities was launched in West Virginia as part of the "West Virginia Rising" celebration. Held in the Capitol Rotunda in Charleston on March 12, the event featured keynote speaker Gov. Joe Manchin and an original song written and performed by Mountain Stage's Larry Groce. Teams from ten West Virginia communities have now successfully completed their leadership training.
In 2008, the Blueprint Communities initiative concentrated its efforts
on Delaware. Training for the community teams began in April 2008 and continued until graduation held on January 16, 2009 on the University of Delaware's Wilmington campus.
Recertification
FHLBank Pittsburgh has recertified a total of 28 Blueprint Communities in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Once they've met certain minimum requirements, recertified communities will continue to have access to the many benefits the initiative offers. These communities can look forward to additional training opportunities, fresh mini-grants, greater access to technical assistance, prospective funding from public and private partners, and the ability to tap into FHLBank funds set aside for affordable housing and small business job creation.
Mission
The mission of the Blueprint Communities initiative
is to serve as a catalyst to revitalize older communities
and neighborhoods.
- Fostering strong local leadership, collaboration
and development capacity.
- Serving as a catalyst for revitalization based
on sound local and regional planning that includes
a clear vision for the community and a comprehensive
implementation strategy.
- Encouraging coordinated investments in targeted
communities by public and private funders.
Program Objectives
The Blueprint Communities initiative was designed
to:
- Serve as a catalyst to revitalize older communities
and neighborhoods by fostering strong local leadership
and collaboration, focusing on planning and goal-setting
strategies, and building local program capacity to
sustain community growth.
- Emphasize a team approach to community development.
Each participating team comprises a banker, developer,
community representative, local elected official and
two additional representatives. Youth participation
is encouraged.
- Encourage communities to approach revitalization
holistically, taking into account physical, economic
and social needs. No community can rationally expect
to grow if only certain areas of development are pursued.
All aspects of development – including housing,
infrastructure, economic stimulation and healthy,
safe surroundings – must be addressed in community
planning.
Comments from Previous Blueprint
Communities Participants
“This is a wonderful program! There’s
a tremendous amount of support from FHLBank that started
before the first training program and continues today.
Blueprint Communities has truly brought our community
together.”
“I have a renewed sense of mission and energy.”
“We are extremely pleased with the completed
strategic plan. Blueprint Communities trainings helped
residents better understand the planning process, evaluation
of need, and how to create an achievable plan.”
“This is the most useful training I’ve
ever attended.”
“I find it amazing that a diverse group of
people can make a difference in a community. Despite
everyone having their own individual agendas, everyone
on the Blueprint Communities [teams]…works together
for the betterment of their communities.”
“Blueprint Communities offered a wealth of
information and networks of support.”
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