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Blueprint Communities Arrives in Delaware
 Pennsylvania paved the way in 2005 with 22 community teams. West Virginia took its turn in 2007 with ten. Now, in 2008, Delaware is getting its opportunity.
Community revitalization teams from nine First State communities - eight in and around Wilmington and one in Dover - are about to undergo extensive training in leadership and community planning. Blueprint Communities will provide each team with training valued at approximately $25,000, a mini-grant and improved access to funding sources. The University of Delaware’s Center for Community Research and Service is providing training and technical assistance.
The Delaware initiative kicked off March 10 with a “Banner Day for Blueprint Communities” held on the university’s campus. First State Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, U.S. Sen. Thomas Carper and U.S. Rep. Michael Castle joined FHLBank President and CEO John Price to help induct the nine new leadership teams.
“FHLBank is pleased to embark on the third leg of Blueprint Communities within our district,” said Price. “Wonderful strides in community organization, planning and development have been made in a very short time by many of the teams in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We expect the same thing to happen once our Delaware teams complete their training.”
In addition to providing approximately a quarter-million dollars for training, FHLBank is setting aside funds in its Banking On Business and First Front Door programs to assist in small business startup and growth and first-time homeownership once the teams have crafted formal plans for community renewal. Competitive scoring criteria for the Affordable Housing Program have also been aligned to support projects in these communities.
The Delaware Community Investment Corporation has committed $100,000 to be used as seed grants by Blueprint Communities once they have completed training.
Said Eugene Rudder of the Wilmington Housing Authority, a member of the team representing the Riverside community: “As someone who works with hard-to-reach communities, this commitment is both appreciated and highly valued. Thank you for believing in us and, more importantly, thank you for creating the opportunity for us to learn and to share that knowledge with our respective communities.”
Local banks with representatives on Blueprint Communities teams include Citicorp Trust Bank, JPMorganChase, PNC Bank, Wilmington Savings Fund Society and Wilmington Trust.
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