**PRESS RELEASE FROM SMART GROWTH AMERICA**        

For Immediate Release:                      
February 17th, 2010                         

Contact: Paula Chrin
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(202) 223-9541

Stimulus TIGER projects: What Happens When We Use Transportation Dollars to Strengthen Communities, States, and the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In today’s announcement of $1.5 billion in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) awards, the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) showed the kinds of transportation projects that move people and freight in a way that makes places stronger, cleaner, and safer.

DOT received 1,380 applications for the $1.5 billion pot, for a grand total of $56.5 billion in funds requested. The 51 projects announced under TIGER, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), include:

• Port and freight-rail projects in Tennessee, Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois that support economic growth and take freight off the road;
• Bridge replacements in Oklahoma, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Indiana that support multiple modes of travel;
• Modern streetcars to support vibrant places in Tucson, Dallas, Portland, New Orleans and Detroit;
• Innovative highway funding and operations in Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, South Carolina and Arkansas;
• Bicycle and pedestrian networks in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and complete streets in Dubuque, IA;
• Beautiful new train stations in places as different as New York and Normal, Illinois.

• New Commercial/Civic: Marshalltown Public Library, Marshalltown
• New Residential: Court Avenue Lofts, Des Moines
• Renovated Commercial/Civic: The Durrant Building, Dubuque
• Renovated Residential: Westfield Avenue Lofts, Waterloo
• Mixed Use: Plaza Towers , Iowa City
• Leadership: Historic Millwork District Master Plan, Dubuque

Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is elgible to receive $242,767 through the Specialty Crop Block Programs. Iowans are invited to comment on priorities in funding.  Iowans interested in submitting comments on the priorities for the program can email their comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or by mail to Horticulture and Farmers Market Bureau, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, 502 East 9th, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319.

In addition to inviting public comments, the Department is creating a Review Committee to help make recommendations on grant proposals. If you are interested in learning more, visit www.IowaAgriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/specialtyCropGrant.asp.

1000 Friends of Iowa is a statewide public interest group working to promote healthy communities and cities while protecting farmland, natural areas, and the quality of life for future generations of Iowans.  We work to promote responsible development that:

• Conserves and protects our agricultural and natural resources;
• Revitalizes our neighborhoods, towns and cities;
• improves the quality of life for future generations.

We are the only statewide group in Iowa working to ensure that local and state government manage growth responsibly. Founded in 1998, 1000 Friends of Iowa has grown to become the state's primary advocate for smart growth policies.

1000 Friends of Iowa's advocacy work, public education, and the organizational and technical support that we provide local groups have become the foundation of good growth management in Iowa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2008

1000 Friends of Iowa Announces 2008 Best Development Award Winners

MEDIA CONTACT:     Stephanie B. Stegeman, Board Member
                                    Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
                                    Cell: 515-326-1526

DES MOINES – We are pleased to announce the following winners of the 2008 Best Development Awards:

• New Residential: Upper Mississippi Valley Redevelopment Company, 1820 East Thirteenth Street, Village of East Davenport Development in Davenport, Iowa
• Renovated Residential: The HEART Program’s Washington Street Project in Dubuque, Iowa
• Renovated Commercial/Civic: M+ Architects, ISU Design West development in Sioux City, Iowa
• New Commercial/Civic: RDG Planning & Design, Marion Arts and Environmental Center at Lowe Park in Marion, Iowa
• Mixed Use: LADCO Development, Village of Ponderosa in West Des Moines, Iowa
• Leadership: City of Iowa City, Iowa City Subdivision Code in Iowa City, Iowa
  

1000 Friends of Iowa established the Best Development Awards in 2001 to recognize cities, companies, and individuals and also to recognize development projects in Iowa that reflect smart growth and sustainability principles.  The winners of our Best Development Awards are models of how responsible development practices provide benefits to the community, the environment, and quality of life for future generations.

Click on one of the following links for complete details on the 2008 Best Development Awards Winners, or to learn more about the Best Development Awards and principles of smart growth.

For additional information please contact Stephanie Stegeman by email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 515-326-1526.

A new video series from the Iowa Learning Farm, "A Culture of Conservation",  offers viewers an opportunity to learn about the impact we have on our soil and water and what each of us can do to protect and preserve our precious natural resources. All Soil and Water Conservation District offices & Iowa State Extension offices will have copies of the video series beginning in December.

To request a "A Culture of Conservation" contact the Iowa Learning Farm by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it For more information about the Iowa Learning Farm, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) has created it's first citizen's advisory group, the Transit Riders Advisory Committee (TRAC). Visit www.ridedart.com for complete details.