Alabama Association of Regional Councils

Regional Councils in Partnership Throughout Alabama

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ACE Star Awards Announced, Including AARC Board Member James “Bill” Curtis

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:   Ms. Sidney Hoover, (205) 567-3248

AUBURN, ALABAMA. The Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) presented the 2014 ACE Star Awards at the annual Alabama Community Leadership Network (ACLN) Conference Award Luncheon on October 7, 2014 in Auburn, Alabama.

The ACE Star Awards recognize those individuals who have performed above and beyond the call of duty and embody the principles of the ACE Program, which is a comprehensive development program designed to assist Alabama’s smaller communities in their efforts to plan, grow and prosper.

The 2014 ACE Star Award recipients are:

  • Pat Hall, Outstanding ACE Local Coordinator (Leeds)
  • The Honorable Hollie Cost, Outstanding ACE Mayor (Montevallo)
  • Shane Smith, Outstanding ACE Volunteer (Heflin)
  • Diane Burnett, Outstanding ACE Team Captain (South Alabama Regional Planning Commission)
  • James “Bill” Curtis, Exceptional ACE Leadership (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission)

These “rising stars” bring outstanding leadership and a passion for small-town Alabama to all that they do.  They are recognized for their commitment to making their communities better places and for their support of the ACE process.  ACE offers towns a “one stop shopping” experience by making community development programs and tools needed to insure long term success available through one organization.

Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) is a nonprofit organization created in 2002 for the purpose of utilizing the collective expertise of its partner organizations.  Throughout the ACE process, ACE Partners work with each community to successfully achieve their goals. The ACE Program would not be possible without the funding, hard work and participation of the ACE Partner organizations.

ACE Partner organizations include: Alabama Association of Regional Councils; Alabama Department of Commerce; Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs; Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education; Alabama Historical Commission; Alabama League of Municipalities; Alabama Municipal Electric Authority; Alabama Power Company; Auburn University Economic & Community Development Institute; Balch & Bingham; Economic Development Association of Alabama; Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood; PowerSouth Energy Cooperative; Regions Financial Corporation; Southeast Alabama Gas District; USDA Rural Development; the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development; and the University of West Alabama.

Twenty-six communities have previously been certified as Alabama Communities of Excellence and are located throughout Alabama. (Southeast Alabama): Eufaula, Evergreen, Headland, and Valley;   (Southwest Alabama): Atmore, Brewton, Demopolis, Foley, Gulf Shores, Jackson, Livingston, Monroeville, and Thomasville; (Central Alabama): Childersburg, Graysville, Millbrook, Leeds, and Montevallo; (North Alabama): Arab, Fayette, Guin, Guntersville, Haleyville, Hartselle, Heflin, and Jacksonville. Currently, six additional communities are working through the process of becoming certified as ACE communities: Alexander City, Elba, Fairhope, Helena, Rainsville and Saraland. For additional information about the Alabama Communities of Excellence Program, please visit www.alabamacommunitiesofexcellence.org.

2014 ACE Star Award Recipients:

  • Pat Hall, (Leeds, Alabama), Outstanding ACE Local Coordinator; Leeds was designated an ACE community in 2013. Ms. Hall has devoted tireless hours of leading Leeds in her position as Local Coordinator and is very worthy of this award.
  • The Honorable Hollie Cost, (Montevallo, Alabama), Outstanding ACE Mayor; Montevallo was designated an ACE community in 2012. Mayor Cost has provided exceptional guidance and leadership for the citizens of Montevallo as they have excelled community-wide. Her efforts are certain to provide continued, long-term success for Montevallo and deserve recognition.
  • Shane Smith, (Heflin, Alabama), Outstanding ACE Volunteer; Heflin was designated an ACE community in 2007. Through his service in a wide variety of community positions, including City Clerk and Local Coordinator, Mr. Smith has proved that he is a passionate proponent for the residents of Heflin. He truly understands the concept of public service.
  • Diane Burnett, (South Alabama Regional Planning Commission), Outstanding ACE Team Captain; Ms. Burnett is a long-standing associate with ACE and has served as Team Captain and Co-Captain for multiple communities capably guiding them through the comprehensive certification process.
  • Mr. James “Bill” Curtis, (East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission), Exceptional ACE Leadership; Mr. Curtis is an invaluable resource for ACE, who has repeatedly proven his leadership abilities through his service on ACE’s Board of Directors. He has also served as a key liaison between the Alabama Association of Regional Councils and ACE.

Section 5310 (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities) grant applications

AARC clearinghouse review of Section 5310  (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities) grant applications. Agencies interested in applying for these funds will be required to submit their proposals to respective regions NLT August 14, 2014. Agencies will review the applications and provide clearinghouse letters stating compliance/non-compliance with local Human Service Coordinated Transportation Plans (HSCTP) and submit completed applications to ALDOT by August 22, 2014.

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CALL FOR PROJECTS FOR FUNDING TRANSIT SERVICES FOR FY 2015

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), Modal Programs Bureau is now accepting Applications for funding consideration through the Section 5316 Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program and the Section 5317 New Freedom (NF) Program. These Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs provide funding for transit related services that assist the state’s population of low income and disabled individuals.

The following organizations are eligible to apply for the Sections 5316 & 5317 programs:

  1. Private nonprofit organizations
  2. State or local governmental bodies; and
  3. Operators of public transportation services, including private operators of public transportation services.

Federal funds administered through ALDOT are only extended to organizations providing transit services in the small urban and rural areas of the State.

Available federal funds for the Section 5316 JARC program are expected to total $1,792,092

for small urban areas and $1,251,841 for the rural areas. Available federal funds for the Section 5317 NF program are expected to total $898,303 for small urban areas and $640,484 for the rural areas.

A 50% local match is required for operating funds and a 20% local match is required for capital and planning funds.

The selection process will be based on the following criteria: statement of need and organizational capacity; project budget and cost effectiveness; coordination and program outreach; implementation plan; and customer service and accessibility. Projects funded through these programs must be derived from a locally regional coordinated transportation plan.

The application package provides specific eligibility requirements, match requirements, and eligible activities. The application and state management plan can be found at http://www.dot.state.al.us/moweb/transit.htm.

Completed grant applications must be submitted to the appropriate Regional Planning Council in the respective geographic areas of the state in which Sections 5316 and/or 5317 transportation services are proposed. Each Regional Planning Council must review grant applications to ensure compliance with federal coordination requirements prior to formal submission to ALDOT. Only those grant applications submitted for funding consideration by the Regional Planning Councils will be considered for funding. The deadline for submissions to the appropriate regional planning council in the respective geographic areas of the state in which Sections 5316 and/or 5317 transportation services are proposed is 5:00 P.M. on May 16, 2014. Applications received after the established deadline will be returned.  Postmarked submissions will not be accepted.

After applications are reviewed, prioritized, and approved by ALDOT, applications will be submitted to the FTA Region IV office for funding consideration.

For questions or comments concerning the grant application or if the information is needed in another language contact:  Sharon Coats, ALDOT, Modal Programs Bureau, 1100 John Overton Drive, Montgomery, AL  36110; (334) 353-6443 or coatss@dot.state.al.us.

All proposed budgets must be emailed to ALDOT no later than April 18, 2014.

ALDOT does not discriminate against any individual because of race, color, or national origin.