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1:13 p.m., March 24, 2011----In early 2008 the University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service
(CCRS) joined forces with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) of
Pittsburgh to become only the third region in the country to co-sponsor
the Blueprint Communities initiative. Blueprint Communities provides
intensive training, technical assistance, coaching as well as initial
seed funding to competitively selected neighborhoods throughout the
state to help them formulate plans to revitalize their communities.
On Friday, March 18, six Blueprint Communities were recertified,
allowing for additional funding opportunities as well as in-kind
donations that will provide the resources necessary for the communities
to implement their revitalization efforts. The six teams receiving the
recertification were Eastside, Edgemoor, Hilltop/Little Italy, Historic
Overlook Colony Vicinity, Riverside, and Simonds Gardens.
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper and U.S. Rep. John Carney joined George Watson,
dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, CCRS Director Steven Peuquet
in congratulating the six teams, which have made tremendous strides in
rebuilding their neighborhoods and addressing issues that are unique to
each.
We are very pleased with the commitment and accomplishments to date
of Delaware's Blueprint planning teams, Peuquet said, adding,
Revitalizing communities is hard work, and it's clear that the six
teams being recertified are committed to leading sustained efforts to
make their communities the best that they can be. The model for the
Blueprint program is based on strong partnerships, partnerships within
neighborhoods and across neighborhoods. We are pleased to help these
partnerships grow and succeed.
Training, technical support and continued advisement from CCRS
faculty, staff and graduate students have allowed for each team to
develop leadership and strategic planning capabilities. As a result,
each team has made great strides in identifying key neighborhood
objectives and future goals.